title: Sodium disturbances commonly encountered in the neurologic intensive care unit.
abstract: Disorders of sodium and water balance are common in patients with central nervous system (CNS) disease. These disorders frequently complicate the treatment course by precipitating or worsening neurological symptoms. These patients are not only at risk for symptoms secondary to dysnatremia but also at risk from the consequences of treatment. If not treated properly, this electrolyte disturbance can vastly increase morbidity and can even lead to death. Appropriate diagnosis and intervention requires an understanding of the physiologic and pathophysiologic mechanisms involved in sodium and water homeostasis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacy, Barnes-Jewish Hospital, Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, MO, USA. txm5120@bjc.org
authors.forename: Theresa
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Murphy-Human
authors.forename: Michael N
authors.initials: MN
authors.lastname: Diringer
mesh_terms: D000137:Acid-Base Imbalance / Q000150:complications / Q000378:metabolism / Q000628:therapy; D000818:Animals; D002493:Central Nervous System Diseases / Q000150:complications / Q000378:metabolism / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D006955:Hypernatremia / Q000150:complications / Q000378:metabolism / Q000628:therapy; D007010:Hyponatremia / Q000150:complications / Q000378:metabolism / Q000628:therapy; D007362:Intensive Care Units; D009422:Nervous System Diseases / Q000150:complications / Q000378:metabolism / Q000628:therapy*; D012964:Sodium / Q000378:metabolism; D014883:Water-Electrolyte Imbalance / Q000150:complications / Q000378:metabolism / Q000628:therapy*
chemical_list: D012964:Sodium