Sea water. A novel self-medication for orthostatic hypotension.
We report the case of a patient who ingested sea water to combat disabling postural hypotension secondary to autonomic failure. While drinking approximately 900 mL of brine each day he had no symptoms and felt well. Serum biochemical analysis showed a very significant hyperchloraemia. Persistent diarrhoea eventually forced the patient to discontinue this most unorthodox form of treatment.
D001342:Autonomic Nervous System Diseases / Q000150:complications; D002712:Chlorides / Q000097:blood; D003967:Diarrhea / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D007024:Hypotension, Orthostatic / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012623:Seawater / Q000009:adverse effects; D012964:Sodium / Q000032:analysis
D002712:Chlorides; D012964:Sodium