Course Summary

Hyponatremia is the most common disorder of body fluid and electrolyte balance and can be caused by many different conditions. It can lead to a wide range of clinical symptoms that can be severe or even fatal. Hyponatremia can easily be overlooked or missed due to subtle, difficult-to-diagnose symptoms. It is important for clinicians to recognize the signs and symptoms of hyponatremia, and to be able to differentiate between potential causes in order to administer immediate, effective interventions aligned with the current treatment guidelines. Moderate and severe hyponatremia is associated with a higher incidence of in-hospital mortality as compared to individuals who are not hyponatremic. Chronic hyponatremia can become tolerated as the body and brain adapt to the state, and there is a significant risk of osmolar stress and life-threatening osmotic demyelination within the central nervous system if left untreated. Clinicians need to be diligent in identifying the potential causes and to balance the hyponatremic patient’s condition to prevent serious adverse outcomes.

Course Format

Homestudy

Course Syllabus

• Introduction
• Definition and Etiology of Hyponatremia
  • Classification of Hyponatremia
• Body Fluid Compartments and Regulation of Sodium
• Common Causes of Hyponatremia
• Symptoms of Hyponatremia
• Diagnosis of Hyponatremia
  • Diagnostic Criteria for SIADH
  • Differentiating Causes of Hypotonic Hyponatremia
  • Hypotonic and Non-hypotonic Hyponatremia
  • Clinical Assessment of Fluid Status
  • Other Laboratory Tests
  • Diuretics and Diagnosis
• Case Study: Euvolemic Hyponatremia
• Summary

Author

Noah H. Carpenter, MD

Dr. Noah Carpenter is a Thoracic and Peripheral Vascular Surgeon. He completed his Bachelor of Science in chemistry and medical school and training at the University of Manitoba. Dr. Carpenter completed surgical residency and fellowship at the University of Edmonton and Affiliated Hospitals in Edmonton, Alberta, and an additional Adult Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgery fellowship at the University of Edinburgh, Scotland. He has specialized in microsurgical techniques, vascular endoscopy, laser and laparoscopic surgery in Brandon, Manitoba and Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada and in Colorado, Texas, and California. Dr. Carpenter has an Honorary Doctorate of Law from the University of Calgary, and was appointed a Citizen Ambassador to China, and has served as a member of the Indigenous Physicians Association of Canada, the Canadian College of Health Service Executives, the Science Institute of the Northwest Territories, Canada Science Council, and the International Society of Endovascular Surgeons, among others. He has been an inspiration to youth, motivating them to understand the importance of achieving higher education.