Geriatric Hyponatremia
Authors: LAURENCE H. BECK
Journal: Annals of Internal Medicine (1987)

Editorials1 November 1987Geriatric HyponatremiaLAURENCE H. BECK, M.D., RISA LAVIZZO-MOUREY, M.D., M.B.A.LAURENCE H. BECK, M.D., RISA LAVIZZO-MOUREY, M.D., M.B.A.Author, Article, and Disclosure Informationhttps://doi.org/10.7326/0003-4819-107-5-768 SectionsAboutPDF ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack CitationsPermissions ShareFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditEmail ExcerptThe hallmark of geriatric physiology is a diminution in homeostatic reserve; corrective responses to physical, environmental, and metabolic stress are typically slow or incomplete. Prototypical of this narrowed homeostasis is the elderly patient's inadequate defense against water loss. As a result, dehydration is a relatively common problem in elderly patients and is associated with increased morbidity and even mortality (1). There are several age-related physiologic changes underlying this particular loss of reserve.For example, elderly persons have a change in body composition: the proportion of fat increases by 5% to 10% with a concomitant change in body water. Therefore, a...References1. MAHOWALDHIMMELSTEIN JD. Hypernatremia in the elderly: relation to infection and mortality. J Am Geriatr Soc. 1981;29:177-80. CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar2. PHILLIPSROLLSLEDINGHAM PBD. Reduced thirst after water deprivation in healthy elderly men. N Engl J Med. 1984;311:753-60. CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar3. MILLERSHOCK JN. Age differences in the renal tubular response to antidiuretic hormone. J Gerontol. 1953;8:446-50. CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar4. MILLERKREBSNEALMCINTYRE PRBD. Hypodipsia in geriatric patients. Am J Med. 1982;73:354-6. CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar5. SNYDERFEIGALARIEFF NDA. Hypernatremia in elderly patients: a heterogeneous, morbid, and iatrogenic entity. Ann Intern Med. 1987;107:309-18. LinkGoogle Scholar6. ANDERSON R. Hospital-associated hyponatremia. Kidney Int. 1986;29:1237-47. CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar7. ARIEFFGUISADO AR. Effects on the central nervous system of hypernatremic and hyponatremic states. Kidney Int. 1976;10:104 -16. CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar8. MORRIS-JONESHOUSTONEVANS PJR. Prognosis of the neurological complications of acute hypernatraemia. Lancet. 1967;2:1385-9. CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar9. MACCARIOMESSIS MC. Cerebral edema complicating treated non-ketotic hyperglycaemia. Lancet. 1969;2:352-3. CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar10. LAVIZZO-MOUREYJOHNSONSTOLLEY RJP. Risk factors for dehydration among elderly nursing home residents. J Am Geriatr Soc. 1987. In press. Google Scholar11. ROWE J. Health care of the elderly. New Engl J Med. 1985;312:827-35. CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar This content is PDF only. To continue reading please click on the PDF icon. Author, Article, and Disclosure InformationAffiliations: PreviousarticleNextarticle Advertisement FiguresReferencesRelatedDetails Metrics Cited ByDifferential relationship of uric acid to mortality and clinical biomarkers of aging according to grip strength in older adults: a cohort studyKidney physiology and pathophysiology during heat stress and the modification by exercise, dehydration, heat acclimation and agingNeurocognitive Disorders and Dehydration in Older Patients: Clinical Experience Supports the Hydromolecular Hypothesis of DementiaAquaporins, Vasopressin, and Aging: Current PerspectivesRenal physiology of nocturiaAge-Associated Abnormalities of Water HomeostasisAging and Kidney DiseaseIncidence and prognosis of dysnatremias present on ICU admissionTherapeutic Approach to Electrolyte EmergenciesRenal and electrolyte disordersAbnormalities of Water Homeostasis in AgingFluid and Electrolyte Balance in the ElderlyChanges in Renal Function with AgingHyper-and Hyponatremia among Geropsychiatric InpatientsGeriatric hyponatremiaHypernatraemia in an adult in-patient population.A Question of Balance Dehydration in the ElderlyDisorders of Water Metabolism: Hyponatremia and HypernatremiaKidney Function and Disease in the ElderlyCorrection: Misspelling in Title of Editorial on Geriatric Hypernatremia. 1 November 1987Volume 107, Issue 5Page: 768-769KeywordsAdipose tissueElderlyFatsGeriatricsHyponatremiaMorbidityMortality Issue Published: 1 November 1987 PDF DownloadLoading ...