The patient’s condition is called the syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone secretion (SIADH). It is a condition that involves the kidneys and the antidiuretic hormone (ADH). The primary purpose of ADH is to help the kidneys control the amount of water that is left in the body or lost through the urine (Huether & McCance, 2017). Persons with SIADH have increased levels of ADH production, which leads to the body retaining too much water. In turn, this means that the sodium levels in the blood become low – this is the leading cause of symptoms that the patient may experience.
The main signs of SIADH that one should look out for include headaches, nausea, vomiting, and fatigue. These symptoms are easy to notice, but one can also pay attention to the person’s weight – it increases because of water retention, even with vomiting (Oh, & Shin, 2015). The patient should pay attention to his sodium level – its increase to regular numbers should resolve all related problems. It is vital to raise the concentration slowly to avoid further damaging the body.
The patient may expect that the symptoms will change depending on the current sodium level. It is necessary to control the patient’s fluid intake – he is likely to ask for more water or other drinks, but they will negatively affect his treatment. He will need support and assistance if his sodium levels are too low – sodium concentration below 115 mEq/L can cause confusion and lethargy and lead to falls (Huether & McCance, 2017). Overall, this condition can be treated easily with fluid intake restriction and sodium levels’ correction. Nevertheless, the causes of SIADH should be found and addressed as well to prevent this issue from occurring again.
References
Huether, S. E., & McCance, K. L. (2017). Understanding pathophysiology (6th ed.). St. Louis, MO: Mosby.
Oh, J. Y., & Shin, J. I. (2015). Syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone secretion and cerebral/renal salt wasting syndrome: Similarities and differences. Frontiers in Pediatrics, 2, 146.