Hyponatraemia is a commonly encountered electrolyte abnormality in hospitalised patients and is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. The fact that most cases of hyponatraemia are the result of water imbalance rather than sodium imbalance underscores the role of antidiuretic hormone (ADH) in the pathophysiology. Hyponatraemia can be classified according to the measured plasma osmolality [...]

INTRODUCTION: Water intoxication is a rare cause of coma. The leading causes of excessive hydration are endurance exercise, drug abuse, iatrogenic, cerebral salt wasting, or psychiatric conditions. Self-induced water intoxication in an otherwise healthy person is exceedingly rare. METHODS: Single patient case report and review of the literature. RESULTS: We describe a previously fit and [...]

The case histories are presented of four athletes taking part in a 95-mile ultra-endurance foot race in Scotland who were hospitalised after developing exercise-associated hyponatraemia and rhabdomyolysis. Exercise-associated hyponatraemia is relatively uncommon in temperate climates. Risk factors disposing to this disorder are discussed. Exercise-associated hyponatraemia is thought to be due to overconsumption of hypotonic fluid [...]