title: Colonic irrigation-induced hyponatremia.
abstract: A 42-year-old Chinese woman presented with transient confusional state and memory loss due to acute water intoxicational hyponatremia complicating colonic irrigation (enemas) used as an alternative medicine to promote health. Although there is no evidence that such "antiautointoxication" technique conveys true benefit in any condition, this form of "quackery" may actually cause harm, such as water intoxication as in this case.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. drlela@mail.hukm.ukm.my
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Norlela
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Izham
authors.forename: B A K
authors.initials: BA
authors.lastname: Khalid
mesh_terms: D000208:Acute Disease; D000328:Adult; D003221:Confusion / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007010:Hyponatremia / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology* / Q000628:therapy; D007263:Infusions, Parenteral; D012965:Sodium Chloride / Q000008:administration & dosage; D007507:Therapeutic Irrigation / Q000009:adverse effects*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014869:Water Intoxication / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy
chemical_list: D012965:Sodium Chloride