What condition is caused by correcting hyponatremia too quickly?

The condition caused by correcting hyponatremia too quickly is central pontine myelinolysis. When the sodium levels in the blood are corrected too rapidly, particularly in cases of chronic hyponatremia, it can lead to severe neurological complications. The brain adapts to low sodium levels over time, and a swift increase in sodium can cause osmotic demyelination in the central part of the pons, leading to the breakdown of myelin, which is essential for proper nerve function.

This complication primarily arises because the brain cells have experienced a gradual adjustment to the low sodium concentration. Rapid correction disrupts the osmotic balance, leading to cellular injury and potential permanent neurological damage. Central pontine myelinolysis can present with symptoms such as confusion, difficulty speaking, and movement disorders, and it can be life-threatening.

In contrast, conditions like kidney failure or acute kidney injury are not direct consequences of rapid sodium correction; instead, they involve various other underlying pathophysiological mechanisms unrelated to sodium level fluctuations. Cerebral edema is also a potential risk in severe cases of hyponatremia but does not specifically result from the overly rapid correction itself as central pontine myelinolysis does.