title: Sodium disorders in the elderly.
abstract: Disorders of sodium imbalance are commonly encountered in clinical practice and can have a substantial impact on the prognosis of the patient. These disorders are more common in the elderly. Sodium disorders can cause serious neurologic symptoms and even death, particularly among hospitalized patients. The identification of sodium abnormalities and appropriate clinical intervention are critical for improving patient outcomes. Early recognition of hyponatremia and hypernatremia can provide a clue to an underlying disorder. In this update, we have summarized age-related homeostatic changes that impair sodium balance, medications that alter salt and water handling, and the recognition and management of sodium disorders in elderly patients.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine at the West Los Angeles, Veteran Administration Medical Center, CA, USA.
authors.forename: Naureen
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Tareen
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Martins
authors.forename: Glenn
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Nagami
authors.forename: Barton
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Levine
authors.forename: Keith C
authors.initials: KC
authors.lastname: Norris
mesh_terms: D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D001581:Benzothiadiazines; D004232:Diuretics; D004502:Education, Medical, Continuing; D006801:Humans; D006955:Hypernatremia / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology / Q000378:metabolism / Q000628:therapy; D007010:Hyponatremia / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology / Q000378:metabolism / Q000628:therapy; D011379:Prognosis; D012964:Sodium / Q000378:metabolism*; D049993:Sodium Chloride Symporter Inhibitors / Q000009:adverse effects; D014667:Vasopressins / Q000187:drug effects; D014882:Water-Electrolyte Balance / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D001581:Benzothiadiazines; D004232:Diuretics; D049993:Sodium Chloride Symporter Inhibitors; D014667:Vasopressins; D012964:Sodium