Stupor caused treatment

A variety of tumours, e.g. oat-cell limg cancer, can make vasopressin, and of course they are not subject to normal homeostatic mechanisms. SIADH also occurs in some CNS and respiratory disorders (infection). Dilutional hyponatraemia follows, i.e. low plasma sodium with an inappropriately low plasma osmolality and high urine osmolality. When the plasma sodium approaches 120 mmol/I treatment should be with fluid restriction (< 500 ml/day). Treatment is primarily of the imderlying disorder accompanied by fluid restriction. Chemotherapy to the causative tumour or infection is likely to be the most effective treatment. Demeclocycline, which inhibits the renal action of vasopressin, is useful Infusion of isotonic or hypertonic saline must be reserved for extreme emergencies, associated with stupor, and undertaken with great caution. Rapid correction of hyponatraemia must be avoided because of the risk of central pontine myelinolysis the rate of correction must not exceed 12 mmol/1 per 24 h. 

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