Description
There has been considerable interest in hyponatraemia, which is not a disease in itself but a manifestation of an underlying process. This is particularly so in psychiatric patients in whom psychogenic polydipsia is commonly encountered. The association of psychotropic medication with hyponatraemia is discussed here, other causes are outlined, and the identification and management of psychogenic polydipsia and conditions in which there is increased secretion of antidiuretic hormone are described. Hyponatraemia is an important clinical problem requiring immediate management in view of the increased mortality arising from this condition in untreated patients.
