hyponatremia
Blood salt shortage
Hyponatremia is a dangerous drop in blood sodium levels, typically from drinking too much water without replacing electrolytes.
Distance runners and ecstasy users are particularly at risk.
Symptoms range from nausea and headache to confusion, seizures, and death.
The condition is the opposite of dehydration—too much water rather than too little.
Eleventh element, highly reactive
- serumBlood's watery portion
- hypotonicLower osmotic pressure
- dilutionReduction in concentration
- overhydrationExcess bodily fluid intake
antidiuretic · SIADH · ADH · vasopressin · aldosterone · renal · diuretic · thiazide
Excess ADH causing hyponatremia
- marathonLong-distance footrace
- ecstasyOverwhelming intense delight
- diureticsDrugs increasing urine output
- thiazideSodium-excreting diuretic class
cirrhosis · heart-failure · nephrotic · hypothyroidism · psychogenic · postoperative · medications · chemotherapy
Mental disorientation or bewilderment
- lethargyAbnormal drowsiness and apathy
- headacheCranial pain
- nauseaPre-vomiting stomach discomfort
- vomitingExpelling stomach contents orally
seizures · coma · encephalopathy · weakness · fatigue · disorientation · irritability · falls
Eleventh element, highly reactive
- potassiumNineteenth element, symbol K
- chlorideNegatively charged halogen atom
- bicarbonateAcid-neutralizing salt
- magnesiumAlkaline earth metal
phosphate · calcium · cation · isotonic · hypertonic · hypotonic · saline
sodium
Eleventh element, highly reactive
overhydration · antidiuretic · SIADH · ADH · vasopressin · aldosterone · renal · diuretic · thiazide · osmotic
SIADH
Excess ADH causing hyponatremia
- marathonLong-distance footrace
- ecstasyOverwhelming intense delight
- diureticsDrugs increasing urine output
thiazide · cirrhosis · heart-failure · nephrotic · hypothyroidism · psychogenic · postoperative · medications · chemotherapy
confusion
Mental disorientation or bewilderment
vomiting · seizures · coma · encephalopathy · weakness · fatigue · disorientation · irritability · falls · obtundation
sodium
Eleventh element, highly reactive
- potassiumNineteenth element, symbol K
- chlorideNegatively charged halogen atom
- bicarbonateAcid-neutralizing salt
magnesium · phosphate · calcium · cation · isotonic · hypertonic · hypotonic · saline
overcorrection
Excessive corrective action
- monitoringOngoing observation of something
- ICUAcute care ward