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Polydipsia and hyponatremia in a woman with anorexia nervosa
Author(s) -
Bahia Amit,
Chu Eugene S.,
Mehler Philip S.
Publication year - 2011
Publication title -
international journal of eating disorders
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.785
H-Index - 138
eISSN - 1098-108X
pISSN - 0276-3478
DOI - 10.1002/eat.20792
Subject(s) - hyponatremia , anorexia nervosa , etiology , polydipsia , medicine , eating disorders , psychology , psychiatry , pediatrics , intensive care medicine , endocrinology , diabetes mellitus
Objective: Hyponatremia is infrequently reported in the constellation of metabolic abnormalities in patients with eating disorders. We sought to identify the etiology and describe the management of a patient with anorexia nervosa and hyponatremia. Method: We report the case of a 23‐year‐old woman with anorexia nervosa who suffered with severe hyponatremia. Results: The etiology of hyponatremia in this case, as in most patients with eating disorders, was multifactorial, encompassing both hypovolemic and euvolemic categories of hyponatremia. Multiple impairments in the ability to clear free water are responsible for a heightened risk for hyponatremia in patients with anorexia nervosa. Discussion: This case underscores the importance of careful scrutiny of fluid intake, an awareness of medications that lead to hyponatremia, and the need for regular monitoring of serum electrolytes, even in patients with anorexia nervosa, to allow for an early diagnosis and to assist in the formulation of an effective treatment and prevention strategy. © 2010 by Wiley Periodicals, Inc.