Common signs and symptoms of low sodium include:
What Causes Hyponatremia?
Humidity and environmental factors can contribute to the risk.Sweatand other body fluids are high in sodium.
If you are unable to properly replenish sodium supplies after heavy sweating, sodium levels can drop precipitously.
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You also may need to consume more salt.
Medical Causes
There are medical conditions that can cause hyponatremia.
Some develop slowly over time with symptoms developing gradually.
Others develop rapidly with symptoms developing abruptly.
Central to the diagnosis is a blood test that measures the concentration of sodium in your blood.
Tests will check for abnormalities in your blood pressure, urine volume, and urine concentration.
Other blood tests may look for abnormalities in your adrenal hormone levels or liver function.
What Is a Dangerously Low Sodium Level?
If untreated, serious complications can include seizures, coma, and brain swelling.
Your healthcare provider can discuss dietary changes that are meant to prevent future episodes of hyponatremia.
They then can move forward in addressing and treating any underlying cause to ensure your best chances of recovery.
Risks of IV Sodium Replacement
The intravenous replacement of sodium needs to be done gradually.
This can lead to long-lasting and even permanent brain injury.
Medications
There are few medications that are consistently effective in treating hyponatremia.
The drug can also cause kidney problems andphotosensitivity(sensitivity to the sun) in some.
Summary
Hyponatremia is abnormally low levels of sodium in the blood.
It can be diagnosed with a blood test.
A person with hyponatremia will have no symptoms if sodium levels are mildly decreased.
Severe cases can lead to seizures, coma, kidney failure, and death.
The treatment may involve increased salt intake for mild cases and intravenous sodium replacement for severe ones.
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