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ADH (antidiuretic hormone): A peptide molecule that is released by the pituitary gland at the base of the brain after being made nearby (in thehypothalamus). ADH has an antidiuretic action that prevents the productionof dilute urine (and so is antidiuretic).
A syndrome of inappropriatesecretion of ADH may occur in association withoat-cell lung cancer, pancreatic cancer, prostate cancer, and Hodgkin'sdisease as well as a number of other disorders. The inappropriate secretion of ADH results in the inability to put out dilute urine,perturbs fluid (and electrolyte) balance, and causes nausea, vomiting, muscle cramps, confusion and convulsions. ADH also can stimulatecontraction of arteries and capillaries. ADH is also known as vasopressin.