- Sodium in the blood helps manage the water in and around the cells through out the body. There are several factors contributing to low sodium levels which include:
- Severe vomiting
- Intestinal obstruction
- Severe diarrhea
- Intestinal fistulas
- Certain disease conditions like heart diseases, kidney disease, liver disease
- Certain medications like diuretics, anti depressants or pain relievers
- Syndrome of inappropriate antidiurectic hormoneSIADH
- Surgery and trauma
- Stroke
- Drinking too much of water
- Risk factors include
- Age – age related changes may contribute to sodium imbalance
- Certain medications like diuretics, anti depressants or pain relievers
- Kidney disease
- Heart disease
- Diabetes
- Extreme physical activity- consuming excessive water during high intensive physical activities
PreventionPrevention
- Take precautions during high-intensity activities
- Drink water in moderation
ComplicationsComplications
Sodium levels drop rapidly leading to dangerous effects, such as
- Rapid brain swelling
- Coma
- Behavioral changes
Diet recommendationsHow is this diagnosed?How to manage symptoms?Source: Focus Medica . For informational purposes only. Consult a medical professional for advice. Was this helpful?
- Get physical. Regular exercise is often an effective way to control your blood sugar.
- Take your medication as directed.
- Follow your diabetes eating plan.
- Check your blood sugar.
- Adjust your insulin doses to control hyperglycemia.
Symptoms If you or someone you know is exhibiting symptoms of Hyponatremia, seek medical attention immediately.
Mild cases are asymptomatic. The common symptoms include:
- Loss of energy or fatigue
- Nausea and vomiting
- Headache
- Confusion
- Muscle spasms
- Low blood pressure
- Dark scanty urine
- Irritability, disorientation and neurological manifestations
- Convulsions
CausesCauses
- Sodium in the blood helps manage the water in and around the cells through out the body. There are several factors contributing to low sodium levels which include:
- Severe vomiting
- Intestinal obstruction
- Severe diarrhea
- Intestinal fistulas
- Certain disease conditions like heart diseases, kidney disease, liver disease
- Certain medications like diuretics, anti depressants or pain relievers
- Syndrome of inappropriate antidiurectic hormoneSIADH
- Surgery and trauma
- Stroke
- Drinking too much of water
- Risk factors include
- Age – age related changes may contribute to sodium imbalance
- Certain medications like diuretics, anti depressants or pain relievers
- Kidney disease
- Heart disease
- Diabetes
- Extreme physical activity- consuming excessive water during high intensive physical activities
PreventionPrevention
- Take precautions during high-intensity activities
- Drink water in moderation
ComplicationsComplications
Sodium levels drop rapidly leading to dangerous effects, such as
- Rapid brain swelling
- Coma
- Behavioral changes
Diet recommendationsHow is this diagnosed?How to manage symptoms?Source: Focus Medica . For informational purposes only. Consult a medical professional for advice. Was this helpful?How do you correct hyponatremia? Your doctor may suggest the following treatments:
- Get physical. Regular exercise is often an effective way to control your blood sugar.
- Take your medication as directed.
- Follow your diabetes eating plan.
- Check your blood sugar.
- Adjust your insulin doses to control hyperglycemia.
How should hyponatremia be evaluated and managed? Hyponatremia produces acute neurological dysfunction due to brain edema, but rapid correction of HN can give rise to neuronal damage (ODS). Management therefore must be adapted to the severity of the symptoms, the duration of the disorder and its cause, with individualized evaluation of the risk of over-correction.
How to diagnose hyponatremia?
- Normal blood volume
- Normal kidney, adrenal and thyroid function
- Raised urine sodium
- Urine osmolality of less than 100
- The patient is not taking any medication that could cause hyponatremia such as diuretics
What is considered hyponatremia? Hyponatremia is defined as a serum sodium level of less than 135 mEq/L and is considered severe when the serum level is below 125 mEq/L. Many medical illnesses, such as congestive heart failure, liver failure, renal failure, or pneumonia, may be associated with hyponatremia.
false hyponatremia due to hyperglycemia
How do you correct hyponatremia? Your doctor may suggest the following treatments:
- Get physical. Regular exercise is often an effective way to control your blood sugar.
- Take your medication as directed.
- Follow your diabetes eating plan.
- Check your blood sugar.
- Adjust your insulin doses to control hyperglycemia.
How should hyponatremia be evaluated and managed? Hyponatremia produces acute neurological dysfunction due to brain edema, but rapid correction of HN can give rise to neuronal damage (ODS). Management therefore must be adapted to the severity of the symptoms, the duration of the disorder and its cause, with individualized evaluation of the risk of over-correction.
How to diagnose hyponatremia?
- Normal blood volume
- Normal kidney, adrenal and thyroid function
- Raised urine sodium
- Urine osmolality of less than 100
- The patient is not taking any medication that could cause hyponatremia such as diuretics
What is considered hyponatremia? Hyponatremia is defined as a serum sodium level of less than 135 mEq/L and is considered severe when the serum level is below 125 mEq/L. Many medical illnesses, such as congestive heart failure, liver failure, renal failure, or pneumonia, may be associated with hyponatremia.
How do you correct hyponatremia?
Therapy
Induce sodium solution to increase the levels.
Self-careSelf-care
Always talk to your provider before starting anything.
Mild and moderate conditions can be managed through
- Limiting fluid intake
- If the cause is medications, it will be usually altered
NutritionNutrition
Foods to eat:
- Lots of green vegetables and fruits
- Increase salt intake slightly
Foods to avoid:
- Caffeine
- Alcohol
- Drinks high in sugar
Specialist To ConsultSpecialist To Consult
Specializes in the acute and chronic illnesses and provides preventive care and health.
What are the causes?Best prevention methodsHow is this diagnosed?Common complicationsSource: Focus Medica . For informational purposes only. Consult a medical professional for advice. Was this helpful?Who is more likely to get hyponatremia? Hyponatremia is more likely in people living with certain diseases, like kidney failure, congestive heart failure, and diseases affecting the lungs, liver or brain. It often occurs with pain after surgery. Also, people taking medications like diuretics and some antidepressants are more at risk for this condition.
How should hyponatremia be evaluated and managed? Hyponatremia produces acute neurological dysfunction due to brain edema, but rapid correction of HN can give rise to neuronal damage (ODS). Management therefore must be adapted to the severity of the symptoms, the duration of the disorder and its cause, with individualized evaluation of the risk of over-correction.
What are the problems associated with hyponatremia? The following factors contribute to hyponatremia:
- The antidiuretic effect of vasopressin on the kidneys
- Direct impairment of renal water excretion by angiotensin II
- Decreased glomerular filtration rate (GFR)
- Stimulation of thirst by angiotensin II
How do you treat hyponatremia? You may also need one or more of the following:
- Intravenous (IV) fluid – Sodium solutions may be given through your vein to increase the amount of sodium in your blood.
- Sodium retaining medicines: These medicines help your kidneys get rid of large amounts of urine.
- Dialysis: If your kidneys are not working well you may need to have dialysis to decrease the extra water in your body.