Vol. 19 No. 2 (2021)
An Approach To:

An Approach to Hyponatremia

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  • Kaylie Schachter
Kaylie Schachter
Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, McGill University
salt
DOI: https://doi.org/10.26443/mjm.v19i1.833

Published 2021-07-12

Keywords

  • hyponatremia,
  • syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone (SIADH),
  • vaptans

How to Cite

1.
Schachter K. An Approach to Hyponatremia. McGill J Med [Internet]. 2021 Jul. 12 [cited 2025 Oct. 6];19(2). Available from: https://mjm.mcgill.ca/article/view/833

Copyright (c) 2021 McGill Journal of Medicine

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Abstract

Hyponatremia is a common laboratory finding in numerous patients. It is defined as a serum sodium concentration <135 mmol/L and represents an excess of water in the extracellular compartment. The severity of this electrolyte abnormality ranges from asymptomatic to seizures, coma and death as a consequence of cerebral swelling. There are multiple medical conditions, medications and disease states that can cause hyponatremia. This article summarizes the important pathophysiological pathways involved in the development of hyponatremia, describes an approach to common causes and reviews the initial steps in management.

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