Disorders of sodium balance

Top Cited Papers
Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
Introduction Disorders of plasma sodium are the most common electrolyte disturbances in clinical medicine, yet they remain poorly understood. Severe hyponatraemia and hypernatraemia are associated with considerable morbidity and mortality,1–3 however, and even mild hyponatraemia is associated with worse outcomes when it complicates conditions such as heart failure,4 although which is cause and which effect is often uncertain. Distinguishing the cause(s) of hyponatraemia may be challenging in clinical practice, and controversies surrounding its management remain. Here, we describe the common causes of disorders of plasma sodium, offer guides to their investigation and management, and highlight areas of recent advance and of uncertainty.