What is Cerebral Salt-Wasting Syndrome?

Endocrine disorders and metabolic disorders are two very complex health conditions that adversely affect the lives of women each and every day. For many, the complications evolve into health issues associated with a thyroid disorder or even diabetes. For some women, however, there is a risk for developing complications associated with electrolyte imbalance that may be life threatening. If you are struggling to maintain proper balance of your blood sodium levels, or if you have recently struggled with complications involving a brain tumor, it is important to ask your physician to confirm, or rule out, the presence of cerebral salt-wasting syndrome.

While not a disease, cerebral salt-wasting syndrome can result in the development of diseases that can be life threatening. Described as a syndrome - or a condition that encompasses many symptoms - cerebral salt-wasting syndrome is a complex health condition to diagnosis. For most patients, the primary symptom will involve uncontrollable blood sodium levels and extreme dehydration that is not well explained.

To diagnose the complications of cerebral brain-wasting syndrome, there is a complicated set of steps that must be taken, while inpatient, in a hospital setting. For most patients, the treatment will involve blood work to address electrolyte imbalances as well as hormonal imbalance and testing of urine sodium levels. In many cases, women who have cerebral salt-wasting syndrome will have a brain tumor present and, as a result, CT scan of the brain will commonly be performed to identify if this is, indeed, the primary health risk.

Once the brain tumor is removed, and your body recovers from complications involving hormonal imbalance, the issues of cerebral salt-wasting syndrome will spontaneous resolve. For most brain tumor patients, the condition resolves within four weeks post-operatively but may take longer depending on the degree to which a brain tumor was present. In some patients, where no brain tumor is identified, further hormonal treatment is necessary to regulate cerebral mediation and electrolyte balance.

Dehydration and extreme thirst are common parts of our daily lives but may be indicative of a greater health complication. If you are struggling with these symptoms, always seek out medical attention for a metabolic disorder or a disorder involving the endocrine system. When diagnosed early, complications associated with cerebral salt-wasting syndrome can be resolved and you'll be on your way to a healthier outcome.

Sources: Living with a Brain Tumor, by Peter Black