Re: Do any elements besides sodium cause hypertension in a cell?

Andrew:  What an insightful question!  Keep up the questioning and 
thinking!!  Any cation, anion, or compound that increases osmotic pressure 
will do the same thing as sodium.  The receptor nerve cells in the brain's 
hypothalamus are monitoring the blood and interstitial fluid's osmotic 
pressure rather than any single material, so, anything that "draws" water 
out of the cells and into the blood or other extracellular fluids will get 
the same thirst reaction.  The 2 others that commonly would be sited are 
proteins and potassium.  Obviously, if enough fluid is pulled from the 
cells and homeostasis cannot be re-established, an I.V. will have to be 
established to help the body compensate.  If this doesn't occur, death can. 
Keep up the good work and I hope my answer helps.  J. Bridger