Syndrome of Inappropriate Antidiuretic Hormone Secretion (SIADH)

What is this article about?

Syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone secretion (SIADH) is a condition where the body creates excessive amounts of the antidiuretic hormone (ADH) (also called vasopressin). ADH, which is responsible for regulating the level of water in the body, is created in the hypothalamus in the brain and secreted by the pituitary gland. ADH helps the kidneys retain the correct amount of water and is therefore responsible for how much water is conserved and eliminated through urination. In SIADH, the secretion of ADH is unable to be suppressed. This causes an impaired ability to excrete water through urine output, which disturbs the body’s salt balance and results in the development of hyponatraemia.