Hyponatriæmi

This review summarizes the pathophysiology, causes, treatment and prevention of hyponatraemia. Hyponatraemia may be associated with low (hypovolemia), normal (euvolemia) or high (hypervolemia) total body sodium. The treatment of hyponatremia depends upon whether it is acute or chronic and on the presenting symptoms. Chronic hyponatraemia should be corrected slowly, by no more than 8 mmol/l/day. Acute hyponatraemia may be corrected faster in the initial phase. Patients who have once had hyponatraemia have a high risk of suffering another episode, and if treatment with one of the many medications that may cause hyponatraemia becomes necessary, it should be done with great care. Patients who have had thiazide-associated hyponatraemia should be regarded as CAVEAT thiazide.