Hypernatremia resident survival guide: Difference between revisions
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===Common Causes=== | ===Common Causes=== | ||
The most common cause of hypernatremia is not an excess of sodium, but a relative deficit of free water in the body. For this reason, hypernatremia is often synonymous with the less precise term dehydration. | |||
==Management== | ==Management== | ||
{{familytree/start |summary=Hypernatremia}} | {{familytree/start |summary=Hypernatremia}} | ||
Revision as of 14:50, 22 November 2013
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]
Definition
Hypernatremia is an electrolyte disturbance consisting of an elevated sodium level in the blood. It is defined as a serum sodium concentration exceeding 145 mEq/L.
Causes
Life Threatening Causes
Conditions that may cause death or permanent disability within the next 24 hours
Common Causes
The most common cause of hypernatremia is not an excess of sodium, but a relative deficit of free water in the body. For this reason, hypernatremia is often synonymous with the less precise term dehydration.