Antidiuretic hormone regulates blood pressure and salt balance by stimulating the kidneys to reabsorb water. High or low levels can cause medical problems, including diabetes insipidus. The hormone is triggered by drops in blood pressure, changes in plasma volume, and secretions from the gallbladder. Excess hormone secretion can cause hyponatremia, while a deficiency can cause diabetes insipidus. Regular screening can identify syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone (SIADH) in hospitalized patients. Doctors can perform screenings to determine the cause of hormone imbalances and provide appropriate treatment.
Antidiuretic hormone, also known as ADH or vasopressin, is a hormone secreted by the pituitary gland. Its primary role is to stimulate the kidneys to reabsorb water, rather than pass it, and it is designed to act as part of the complex system that regulates blood pressure and salt balance in the body. People with levels of this hormone that are too high or too low can have medical problems such as diabetes insipidus.
Several circumstances can trigger the production of antidiuretic hormone by the pituitary gland. Drops in blood pressure, changes in plasma volume, and secretions from the gallbladder can all play a role in the secretion of this hormone. The hormone travels to the kidneys, where it directs structures in the kidneys to reabsorb water flowing through the kidneys, and also ends up in the brain, where it interfaces with vasopressin receptors. In the brain, vasopressin appears to play a role in forming memories and has been linked to certain social behaviors.
When antidiuretic hormone levels rise, blood pressure also rises. If levels of this hormone get too high, people develop fluid overload and the salt levels in their body get out of balance, becoming highly diluted because the body retains too much water. This can develop into hyponatremia, a very serious medical condition that can cause complications in the brain and lungs. If there isn’t enough antidiuretic hormone produced by the pituitary gland, people can develop diabetes insipidus, characterized by excessive thirst and frequent urination.
Hospitalized patients sometimes develop syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone (SIADH). Patients with this condition secrete too much antidiuretic hormone, putting stress on the body and leading to fluid and electrolyte imbalances. Because SIADH is known to be a problem in hospitalized patients, regular screening can be done as a routine part of patient care to ensure it is identified and addressed early.
If patients develop a deficiency or excess of this hormone, a doctor will need to interview the patient and perform a screening to determine the cause of the problem so it can be addressed. Treatments may be able to restore normal functioning of the body or the patient’s condition can be managed with the appropriate care. Failure to identify over- or under-production of antidiuretic hormone can have complications for the patient and can lead to permanent damage.
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