PT  - JOURNAL ARTICLE
AU  - Phillip Hall
AU  - Ivor Douglas
TI  - Hyponatremia: Why it matters, how it presents, how we can manage it
DP  - 2006 Sep 01
TA  - Cleveland Clinic Journal of Medicine
PG  - S4--S12
VI  - 73
IP  - 9 suppl 3
4099  - http://www.ccjm.org/content/73/9_suppl_3/S4.short
4100  - http://www.ccjm.org/content/73/9_suppl_3/S4.full
SO  - Cleve Clin J Med2006 Sep 01; 73
AB  - Hyponatremia is a common electrolyte disorder among hospitalized patients and has been associated with increased mortality. Most patients are asymptomatic, but many do present with symptoms, usually of a generalized neurologic nature. Based on medical history, physical examination (including volume-status assessment), and laboratory tests, patients can be classified as having either hypervolemic, euvolemic, or hypovolemic hyponatremia. Management depends on the speed of hyponatremia onset; its degree, duration, and symptoms; and whether there are risk factors for neurologic complications.The risks of overly rapid correction must be weighed against the benefits of treating hyponatremia. Traditional therapies have significant limitations. New agents that antagonize arginine vasopressin at the V2 receptor or both the V1A and V2 receptors show promise for treating hypervolemic and euvolemic hyponatremia, as they induce desired free water diuresis without inducing sodium excretion.