What are the health problems of low sodium?
In severe cases, you may have one or more of the following:
- Nausea or vomiting.
- Headache, confusion, or fatigue
- Low blood pressure
- Loss of energy
- Muscle weakness, twitching, or cramps
- Seizures or coma
- Restlessness or bad temper
When to treat low sodium?
The best treatment for a low sodium level depends on the underlying cause of the abnormality, according to Healthline. Low sodium levels are linked to dehydration, kidney failure, hypothyroidism, Addison's disease, and other problems with the kidneys and adrenal glands.
What happens if you don't consume enough sodium?
Insufficient sodium can cause hyponatremia, characterized by the following symptoms:
- Nausea and vomiting
- Headache
- Confusion
- Loss of energy
- Fatigue
- Restlessness and irritability
- Muscle weakness, spasms or cramps
How to fix low sodium levels?
Will Sodium Deficiency Correct Itself?
- Finding the Cause of the Deficiency. Low sodium can occur because of having too much or too little fluid in the body. ...
- Treating the Cause and Symptoms of Sodium Deficiency. ...
- Fluid Restriction to Correct Sodium Deficiency. ...
- Intravenous Fluids to Increase Sodium Levels. ...
Can low sodium levels be treated?
Hyponatremia treatment is aimed at resolving the underlying condition. Depending on the cause of hyponatremia, you may simply need to cut back on how much you drink. In other cases of hyponatremia, you may need intravenous electrolyte solutions and medications.
What is the best medicine for low sodium?
Tolvaptan (Samsca) is used to treat hyponatremia (low levels of sodium in the blood) in people who have heart failure (condition in which the heart cannot pump enough blood to all parts of the body), syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone (SIADH; condition in which the body produces too much of a certain ...
What causes sodium levels to drop?
A low sodium level has many causes, including consumption of too many fluids, kidney failure, heart failure, cirrhosis, and use of diuretics. Symptoms result from brain dysfunction.
What happens when your body is low on sodium?
Low blood sodium is common in older adults, especially those who are hospitalized or living in long-term care facilities. Signs and symptoms of hyponatremia can include altered personality, lethargy and confusion. Severe hyponatremia can cause seizures, coma and even death.
How can I raise my sodium level quickly?
If you have severe, acute hyponatremia, you'll need more-aggressive treatment. Options include: Intravenous fluids. Your doctor may recommend IV sodium solution to slowly raise the sodium levels in your blood.
What can I drink to increase sodium levels?
Here are 8 electrolyte-rich beverages you may want to add to your health and wellness tool kit.Coconut water. Coconut water, or coconut juice, is the clear liquid found inside of a coconut. ... Milk. ... Watermelon water (and other fruit juices) ... Smoothies. ... Electrolyte-infused waters. ... Electrolyte tablets. ... Sports drinks. ... Pedialyte.
Does eating salt increase sodium levels?
Increasing salt intake increased sodium excretion, but also unexpectedly caused the kidney to conserve water. Excess sodium was thus released in concentrated urine.
Will eating salt help hyponatremia?
Hyponatremia and Excess Water "Usually, it has pretty much nothing to do with salt." The excess water dilutes the sodium, resulting in a lower concentration of sodium in the blood.
How can I increase sodium levels in elderly at home?
How to Increase Sodium Levels in Elderly PeopleAdjust or change medications.Cut back on water and fluid consumption.Seek treatment for underlying conditions or diseases.Eat foods that are high in sodium.Increase dietary protein to aid in water excretion.Infusing an intravenous sodium solution.
What Causes Low Sodium in Blood?
Hyponatremia causes can be linked to direct and indirect factors. As our blood sodium levels drop, it is important to take note of recent lifestyle...
Symptoms and Diagnosis of Hyponatremia
There are several symptoms that indicate the sodium levels in your blood have dropped too low. Initial stages of low levels may not present any sym...
How to Increase Sodium Levels
Hyponatremia treatment starts with increasing sodium levels in the blood as determined by the cause. Under a doctor’s care, or as an existing hospi...
What does it mean when your sodium is low?
Low sodium in blood is medically referred to as hyponatremia and can lead to serious consequences if left untreated. As we need sodium for proper functioning, it is important to understand what causes low levels ...
How to increase sodium levels in blood?
How to Increase Sodium Levels. Hyponatremia treatment starts with increasing sodium levels in the blood as determined by the cause. Under a doctor’s care, or as an existing hospital patient, you may receive a prescribed dose of diuretics, a sodium solution through intravenous injection or pill form, for the symptoms.
Why is sodium important?
As we need sodium for proper functioning, it is important to understand what causes low levels and to be aware of hyponatremia symptoms. We need sodium to help maintain blood pressure, regulate fluids, and aid in the function of our nerves and muscles.
What happens when sodium levels drop?
This can cause mild symptoms of nausea and headaches and eventually lead to rapid brain swelling and death. A normal sodium level is between 135 to 145 milliequivalents per liter (mEq/L). Hyponatremia is present when levels drop below 135 mEq/L.
What causes sodium to drop?
Our adrenal glands produce hormones to help balance the water, sodium, and potassium levels. Low functioning adrenal glands and an underactive thyroid will cause sodium levels to drop.
How much sodium is in a sports drink?
Not just for athletes, sports drinks can help to replenish sodium levels, especially after a strenuous workout or run. The best sports drinks will have 100 milligrams of sodium, 14 grams of carbohydrates, and 28 milligrams of potassium in an eight-ounce serving.
What causes hyponatremia?
1. Excess Water Intake.
What is the medical term for low sodium?
Severe sodium deficiency requires treatment with intravenous medications. The medical term for a low sodium level is hyponatremia, states Mayo Clinic. If too much fluid builds up in the body, the excess fluid dilutes the sodium in the bloodstream, resulting in a low sodium level. Dehydration causes low sodium levels by resulting in the loss ...
What causes low sodium levels in the body?
Dehydration causes low sodium levels by resulting in the loss of electrolytes from the body. The adrenal glands are responsible for producing hormones that regulate the amount of sodium and fluid in the body, reports Mayo Clinic.
Why is sodium low?
Low sodium levels are linked to dehydration, kidney failure, hypothyroidism, Addison's disease, and other problems with the kidneys and adrenal glands. Reducing fluid intake is sometimes enough to restore sodium levels to normal, notes Mayo Clinic.
What causes low sodium levels in Addison's disease?
In people with Addison's disease, the adrenal glands do not produce the right amounts of these hormones, resulting in fluid buildup. Too much anti-diuretic hormone also results in fluid buildup, leading to low sodium levels. Anti-diuretic hormone prompts the body to retain water instead of excreting it.
What happens if you have low sodium?
Seek immediate medical care (call 911) if you have serious symptoms of low sodium, such as a change in mental status (con fusion or hallucinations ); a change in level of consciousness, ...
What causes low sodium levels?
A number of medical conditions or circumstances can lead to low sodium levels including: Adrenal gland disease. Burns. Certain medications such as diuretics. Cirrhosis (scarring) of the liver. Congestive heart failure.
What is the difference between hypervolemic and euvolemic hyponatremia?
Hypervolemic hyponatremia is when water is increased relative to sodium levels. Hypovolemic hyponatremia happens when both water and sodium decrease, but more sodium is lost than water.
Why is sodium important?
A correct level of sodium is important for the proper function of your muscles and nerves. Low sodium is a common electrolyte disorder in the U.S. population. Electrolytes are important chemical substances that are present in the body, such as sodium and potassium. When dissolved in water, these substances become ions that are capable ...
Why is my sodium level low?
There are several common causes of low sodium, including diarrhea, excessive sweating, and vomiting. Medications that are prescribed to treat high blood pressure or fluid retention, called diuretics, can lead to low sodium levels.
How do you know if you have low sodium?
Common symptoms of low sodium. You may experience low sodium symptoms daily or just once in a while. At times any of these low sodium symptoms can be severe: Abdominal pain or cramping. Bloating. Body aches. Changes in mood, personality or behavior. Difficulty with memory, thinking, talking, comprehension, reading or writing.
What are the consequences of low sodium?
Complications of low sodium include: Brain damage.
How to treat low sodium?
It may include: cutting back on fluid intake. adjusting the dosage of diuretics. taking medications for symptoms such as headaches, nausea, and seizures. treating underlying conditions.
How to prevent low sodium levels?
Prevention of low blood sodium. Keeping your water and electrolyte levels in balance can help prevent low blood sodium. If you’re an athlete, it’s important to drink the right amount of water during exercise. You should also consider drinking rehydration beverages like Gatorade or Powerade.
What does it mean when your sodium is low?
The results of this test will help your doctor determine the cause of your low blood sodium: If your blood sodium levels are low but your urine sodium levels are high, your body is losing too much sodium. Low sodium levels in both your blood and your urine mean your body isn’t taking in enough sodium. There may also be too much water in your body.
What is the sodium level in your blood?
In other words, there’s either too much water or not enough sodium in your blood. Normally, your sodium level should be between 135 and 145 milliequivalents per liter.
Why is sodium important?
Sodium is an essential electrolyte that helps maintain the balance of water in and around your cells. It’s important for proper muscle and nerve function. It also helps maintain stable blood pressure levels. Insufficient sodium in your blood is also known as hyponatremia. It occurs when water and sodium are out of balance.
What happens if your sodium levels drop?
If they drop very quickly, your symptoms may be more severe. Losing sodium quickly is a medical emergency. It can cause loss of consciousness, seizures, and coma. Common symptoms of low blood sodium include: weakness. fatigue or low energy.
What is the best way to check for low sodium?
A blood test can help your doctor check for low sodium levels. Even if you don’t have symptoms of low blood sodium, your doctor may order a basic metabolic panel. This tests the amounts of electrolytes and minerals in your blood. A basic metabolic panel is often part of a routine physical.
How to prevent low sodium?
Getting treatment for conditions that contribute to hyponatremia, such as adrenal gland insufficiency, can help prevent low blood sodium. Educate yourself. If you have a medical condition that increases your risk of hyponatremia or you take diuretic medications, be aware of the signs and symptoms of low blood sodium.
What causes sodium to be lowered?
Heart, kidney and liver problems. Congestive heart failure and certain diseases affecting the kidneys or liver can cause fluids to accumulate in your body, which dilutes the sodium in your body, lowering the overall level. Syndrome of inappropriate anti-diuretic hormone (SIADH).
What happens when the sodium in your blood is abnormally low?
Hyponatremia occurs when the concentration of sodium in your blood is abnormally low. Sodium is an electrolyte, and it helps regulate the amount of water that's in and around your cells.
What is the normal sodium level?
A normal blood sodium level is between 135 and 145 milliequivalents per liter (mEq/L). Hyponatremia occurs when the sodium in your blood falls below 135 mEq/L. Many possible conditions and lifestyle factors can lead to hyponatremia, including: Certain medications. Some medications, such as some water pills (diuretics), ...
Why does my body lose sodium?
Chronic, severe vomiting or diarrhea and other causes of dehydration. This causes your body to lose electrolytes, such as sodium, and also increases ADH levels. Drinking too much water. Drinking excessive amounts of water can cause low sodium by overwhelming the kidneys' ability to excrete water.
How long does it take for sodium to drop?
In chronic hyponatremia, sodium levels drop gradually over 48 hours or longer — and symptoms and complications are typically more moderate. In acute hyponatremia, sodium levels drop rapidly — resulting in potentially dangerous effects, such as rapid brain swelling, which can result in a coma and death.
What causes low sodium levels in the body?
Adrenal gland insufficiency (Addison's disease) affects your adrenal glands' ability to produce hormones that help maintain your body's balance of sodium, potassium and water. Low levels of thyroid hormone also can cause a low blood-sodium level. The recreational drug Ecstasy.
Why is my sodium level low?
Low sodium levels in the blood can result from taking certain medications, including diuretics and antidepressant medications , according to the Mayo Clinic. If that is case, your health care provider may recommend stopping your medication or adjusting your dosage. Hyponatremia can also be caused by a range of health problems, including thyroid, ...
What is severe hyponatremia?
Severe, acute hyponatremia is a life-threatening emergency that usually requires treatment and monitoring in the hospital. Patients may be given a sodium solution intravenously — through a needle in a vein — and their water intake will be restricted in order to raise their blood sodium concentration and restore normal sodium levels. Advertisement.
What is hyponatremia in blood?
Image Credit: PredragImages/iStock/GettyImages. Hyponatremia is a condition in which the level of sodium in your blood is too low. Untreated, it can cause neurological symptoms, brain damage and even death. Video of the Day. Kale Pesto.
Is hyponatremia considered acute?
Hyponatremia is considered acute if the sodium level in the blood drops quickly, according to the Mayo Clinic. Acute hyponatremia can cause serious neurological damage or death.
What causes low sodium (hyponatremia)?
Hyponatremia, or a low sodium level, is the most common electrolyte problem. Sodium levels in the blood are affected by how much sodium we eat or how much water we drink. However, the body adjusts for variations in our diet in order to maintain normal sodium levels. Below are some of the common causes of hyponatremia.
What are the symptoms of low sodium levels?
The symptoms of hyponatremia are related to the way it causes fluid shifts in the brain. The severity of symptoms depends on both the sodium levels and how fast sodium levels change.
How low is too low?
Hyponatremia is always diagnosed with a blood test, usually a blood electrolyte panel. Your doctor might check your sodium levels routinely if you are on a medication that can cause low sodium. Or it may be discovered on a blood test that is ordered for a different reason.
How do you treat low sodium levels?
The most important treatment for low sodium is treating the underlying cause. Your provider will make sure you are getting the best treatment for your illness while correcting your sodium levels.
The bottom line
Sodium is a vital mineral that plays an important role in many bodily functions. So, when levels get too low, it can cause some problems — particularly with fluid levels, blood pressure, and brain function.
