Medical Problems: Hypernatremia

OVERVIEW

This page is designed to organize content that is relevant to the topic of hypernatremia. This term is used often in medicine, and it is important that we become as familiar as possible with it.

Excessive sodium can be medical problem that requires treatment (source)
WHAT EXACTLY IS IT?

Before going any farther, let us make sure we clearly define the “medical problem”. Hypernatremia refers to

WHY IS IT A PROBLEM?

 

ORGANIZING THE DIFFERENTIAL

The differential diagnosis for hypernatremia can be organized in a few different ways:

  • Can’t miss diagnosis
  • Organ systen
  • Disease category
  • Diagnostic modality
  • Most common diagnosis
CLINICAL “WORKUP”

Now that the possible causes of hypernatremia have been established, the focus can shift to how one would actually “work-up” a patient who presents with hypernatremia. 

  • Collecting the history
  • Performing the physical
  • Ordering studies/tests
  • Intrepreting clinical data
TREATMENT

The treatment of hypernatremia may vary depending on the etiology of the condition, and is elaborated upon more below:

 

Page Updated: 01.29.2017