Revision Topics Flashcards
Define hypernatraemia?
sodium > 145mmol/L
2 broad causes of hypernatraemia? What is it more commonly due to?
low water or too much sodium
Hypernatraemia is more commonly due to low water as opposed to sodium overload
In hypernatraemia the serum osmolality is always?
high
Causes of hypernatraemia?
dehydration
osmotic diuresis e.g. HHS in diabetes
diabetes insipidus
excess IV saline
Most common cause of hypernatraemia in the elderly?
dehydration
Presentation of hypernatraemia?
in diabetes insipidus there is thirst, polydipsia and polyuria
other signs include CNS dysfunction - lethargy, weakness, confusion, myoclonic jerks and seizures
signs of dehydration and hypovolaemia may be present
Management of hypernatraemia?
correct with caution so not to upset brain tissue, treat any underlying disorder and treat any dehydration
In cranial DI, nephrogenic DI and psychogenic polydipsia what is urine, serum osmolality and sodium concentration?
hypernatraemia
high serum osmolality
low urine osmolality
What are some reversible causes of nephrogenic diabetes insipidus?
hypercalcaemia and hypokalaemia
lithium is another cause and it is usually reversible on cessation of therapy but not always
Define hyponatraemia?
serum sodium < 135 mmol/L
Overview of the causes of hyponatraemia?
Too little sodium:
Renal loss - addisons, diuretics, diuretic stage of renal failure
Extra renal loss - diarrhoea, vomiting, sweating, burns
Too much water:
Euvolaemic - SIADH or hypothyroid
Hypervolaemic - fluid overload in heart failure, liver failure and nephrotic syndrome
In true hyponatraemia the serum osmolality is?
low
Causes of hyponatraemia with a low urinary sodium (<20 mmol/L)?
Extra renal loss - diarrhoea, vomiting, sweating, burns
Hypervolaemic - fluid overload in heart failure, liver failure and nephrotic syndrome
Causes of hyponatraemia with a high urinary sodium? (> 20 mmol/L)
Renal loss - addisons, diuretics, diuretic stage of renal failure
Euvolaemic - SIADH or hypothyroid
Investigations for hyponatraemia?
in low sodium result first measure urine sodium, urine osmolality and plasma osmolality
if the plasma osmolality this is a pseudohyponatraemia
check then for addisions disease - are they hyperkalaemic, do a synacthen test
check their thyroid function
then look for signs of fluid overload
drug review - are they on diuretics
are there any obvious losses e.g. diarrhoea, burns
Presentation of hyponatraemia?
confusion, lethargy, cognitive impairment, focal or generalised seizures
signs of hypo or hypervolaemia
Causes of SIADH?
Neoplastic - ADH secretion by cancer - most commonly small cell lung cancer
Pulmonary - pneumonia, abscess, TB, aspergillosis, asthma, CF, positive pressure ventilation
CNS - abscess, meningitis, AIDs, subdural, SAH, CVA, head trauma, MS, GBS, Shy-Drager syndrome
Drugs
1. AVP analogues e.g. desmopressin, oxytocin, vasopression
2. stimulate AVP release/ action e.g. SSRIs, antipsychotics, anti-epileptics, NSAIDs, MDMA
Hereditary SIADH
Idiopathic SIADH
Management of acute hyponatraemia?
acute symptomatic hyponatraemia is a medical emergency and should be corrected carefully using hypertonic saline
What do you need to assess in non acute hyponatraemia to decide treatment?
volume status
hypovolaemic
euvolaemic
hypervolaemic
Causes of hyponatraemia where the patient will be hypovolaemic?
addisons, diuretics, diarrhoea, vomiting, sweating, burns
Causes of hyponatraemia where the patient is hypervolaemic?
fluid overload in heart failure, liver failure or nephrotic syndrome
Causes of hyponatraemia where the patient is euvolaemic?
SIADH or hypothyroid
Treatment of hypovolaemic hyponatraemia?
IV saline replacement