- hypernatremia can be due to:-
* net loss of water and sodium from the body with inadequate water replacement (commonest cause)
* inadequate water intake
* increased water loss from the body
* increased sodium load
- hypernatremia most commonly results from a net loss of water and sodium from the body coupled with inadequate water intake
- the hypotonic fluid loss can be due to renal (osmotic diuresis or diuretics) or extra-renal (skin or GIT) causes
Inadequate water intake is a universal prerequisite for the evolution of hypernatremia
(* hypernatremia due to indequate water intake is rarely seen in alert patients with a normal thirst mechanism + access to water + an ability to obtain and drink water)
