Unusual cause of hyponatremia in a young patient with varicella zoster infection: a case report

Hyponatremia, defined as serum sodium below 135mEq/L, is one of the most frequently encountered electrolyte disorders in critically ill patients.1 Patients at risk include septic patients, postoperative patients, older patients on thiazide diuretics, patients with malignant or psychiatric illness, and endurance athletes. A serum sodium concentration <100mEq/l, carries a high risk of brain damage due to seizure activity. There is concern about injury to the brain for rapid and over correction of hyponatremia. We present here a patient who presented with Varicella Zoster infection and symptomatic hyponatremia due to volitional intake of free water as per advice of homeopathy physician. Hypertonic saline, fluid restriction and close monitoring in the intensive care unit led to complete recovery of the patient with no residual neurological deficit. Case report