Natriuresis

Natriuresis is the process of excretion of sodium in the urine via action of the kidneys. Natriuresis is promoted (more sodium is excreted) by ventricular and atrial natriuretic peptides as well as calcitonin, and it is inhibited (sodium is conserved) by chemicals such as aldosterone. Natriuresis lowers the concentration of sodium in the blood and also tends to lower blood volume because osmotic forces make water follow sodium out of the body's blood circulation and into the urine. Many diuretic drugs take advantage of this mechanism to treat medical conditions like hypernatremia and hypertension.