Hypernatremia treating increased ICP

[anbuitachi]

Why does hypernatremia decrease ICP? Hypernatremia was listed as a treatment for increased ICP. Hyponatremia was listed to increase ICP. Can someone explain this?? Thank you!! Doesn't sodium draw out water thus increasing ICP...

Thanks

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[Greenbayslacker]

I think you're mixing up "out of the ECF" and "out of parenchyma."

HyperNa will make the ECF hypertonic. This will cause a movement of fluid OUT of the ICF (parenchyma) and into the ECF (bloodstream). This will reduce pressure in the parenchyma, which is what you wanna do with increased intracranial pressure. The blood pressure would rise but that's not of concern.