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Electrolyte and salt disturbances in older people: causes, management and implications

Part of: Bespoke shallow archive Weizmann

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 May 2008

Roy L Soiza ,
Graeme E Hoyle  and
Melvin PW Chua
Roy L Soiza*
Affiliation:
Department of Medicine for the Elderly, Woodend Hospital, Aberdeen, UK
Graeme E Hoyle
Affiliation:
Department of Medicine for the Elderly, Woodend Hospital, Aberdeen, UK
Melvin PW Chua
Affiliation:
Department of Medicine for the Elderly, Woodend Hospital, Aberdeen, UK
*
Address for correspondence: RL Soiza, Department of Medicine for the Elderly, Woodend Hospital, Eday Road, Aberdeen AB15 6XS, UK. Email: roy.soiza@nhs.net
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Extract

Salt and electrolyte disturbances are commonly encountered in older patients. A sound understanding of the underlying physiological and pathological mechanisms underpinning the predisposition of older people to the common electrolyte imbalances can help clinicians minimize their considerable associated morbidity and mortality. This review focuses on the more common and clinically relevant salt and electrolyte disorders of older people. The epidemiology, causes, symptoms, diagnosis and treatment of hyponatraemia, hypernatraemia, hyperkalaemia, hypokalaemia and calcium and phosphate imbalance in old age are covered from a clinician's perspective.

Type
Clinical geriatrics
Information
Reviews in Clinical Gerontology , Volume 18 , Issue 2 , May 2008 , pp. 143 - 158
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2009

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