The pathophysiology and treatment of hyponatraemic encephalopathy: an update

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Abstract
Hyponatraemia is a common disorder that occurs in both the out-patient and in-patient setting. Hyponatraemic encephalopathy can be difficult to recognize, as the most frequent symptoms are non-specific and can easily be incorrectly attributed to other causes. The patient usually presents with headache, nausea, vomiting and confusion, but can present with seizures, respiratory arrest and non-cardiogenic pulmonary oedema [1]. Over the past two decades, risk factors other than changes in the serum sodium level have been found to play a major role in the development of hyponatraemic encephalopathy, such as age, gender and hypoxia.