How to Pronounce Syndrome of Inappropriate Antidiuretic Hormone

Say it like this: SIN-drohm of in-ah-PROH-pree-ayt an-tee-dy-yoo-RET-ik HOR-mohn. The stress falls on the first syllable of "syndrome" (SIN) and the second syllable of "inappropriate" (PROH). Break it into four main parts: syndrome, of, inappropriate, and antidiuretic hormone, and say each part slowly before putting them together.

Syndrome means a group of symptoms or signs that happen together and point to a specific condition. The word comes from Greek and literally means "running together." In medical language, when doctors say "syndrome," they're talking about a pattern of things that occur at the same time.

Antidiuretic breaks down into "anti" (against) and "diuretic" (something that makes you urinate). So antidiuretic means something that works against urination. Hormone is a chemical messenger in the body. Together, antidiuretic hormone is a chemical that reduces water loss through urination.

The abbreviation is SIADH, pronounced by saying each letter: S-I-A-D-H. You'll often hear doctors and medical professionals use "SIADH" instead of saying the whole long name, because it's much faster and easier to say.

In this context, inappropriate means the hormone is being produced or released when it shouldn't be, or in amounts that aren't right for the body's needs. It's a way of saying the hormone is doing its job at the wrong time or in the wrong way.

Many people stress the wrong syllable in "inappropriate," saying in-ah-pro-PREE-it instead of the correct in-ah-PROH-pree-ayt. Remember that the stress goes on the second syllable: PROH, not the last part. Also, be careful not to rush through "antidiuretic"—take time with the "dy-yoo-RET-ik" part.

You might hear it said like this: "The patient was diagnosed with Syndrome of Inappropriate Antidiuretic Hormone after blood tests showed unusual sodium levels." The term is used to name and discuss the specific condition that a person has.

You'll see "hormone" in words like cortisol (a stress hormone), testosterone, and insulin. These are all chemical messengers in the body. The word "hormone" comes from Greek and means "to set in motion" or "to excite."