Causes Of Low Sodium In The Body – Hyponatremia means low sodium levels in the blood. This is in contrast to a condition called hypernatremia, in which sodium levels are too high. Both conditions often occur while patients are in the hospital. This is especially true if they are receiving intravenous fluids, have an existing condition such as kidney or heart disease, or are in intensive care.

Studies show that hyponatremia develops in 15-30 percent of all patients during hospital stay. (1) Hyponatremia and related electrolyte imbalance during exercise or extreme heat, symptoms of dehydration are common. When hyponatremia is mild or sometimes even moderate, it is usually asymptomatic. This means that there are no significant symptoms that the patient is aware of. However, when it is more severe, symptoms of hyponatremia usually include headache, nausea, and in some cases even seizures or coma.

Causes Of Low Sodium In The Body

Treatment of hyponatremia usually depends on regulating body fluid levels. In other words, intake and excretion of water and salt should be balanced. Ways to prevent or reverse hyponatremia include:

Low Sodium (hyponatremia): Symptoms, Causes, And Treatment

Hyponatremia is a type of electrolyte imbalance characterized by abnormally low sodium levels in the blood. Sodium (salt) is often bad because too much of it affects blood pressure and promotes fluid retention/swelling. However, it is a really important electrolyte. All electrolytes have important functions throughout the body. This is due to the fact that they carry an electrical charge when dissolved in body fluids, including blood. (2) Some of the roles of sodium include:

Depending on whether the patient has hyponatremia (too little salt in the blood) or hypernatremia (too much salt), the doctor will adjust fluids to correct the imbalance. Water intake, diet, and medications can be controlled to prevent electrolyte imbalances. Normally, your body gets sodium through your diet and loses the right amount through urine or sweat. So, unless you have kidney problems, you can make a few changes to naturally restore your sodium and water levels.

The problem with too little sodium and too much water at the same time is that it causes your cells to swell. Due to edema and fluid retention, hyponatremia can be very serious – even fatal in severe cases.

Hyponatremia occurs when sodium levels in the body are too diluted; blood contains too much water in proportion to sodium. Symptoms and complications of hyponatremia are caused by cells swollen with water causing fluid retention. It can even lead to severe neurological disorders and fluid retention in the brain (brain edema).

What Happens If You Don’t Consume Enough Sodium

Hyponatremia is divided into several categories/types depending on how it affects blood volume and total fluid levels. In other words, it is classified by reason.):

When a patient sees a doctor for symptoms of hyponatremia or is already in the hospital when the condition develops, the health care provider will usually look for any signs of electrolyte imbalance by performing several measurements:

After your doctor diagnoses you with hyponatremia, he may decide to restore your fluid levels to normal by giving you intravenous fluids or medication. It depends on the type of hyponatremia and how it affects the total blood volume. The purpose of fluids and medications is to increase sodium/retain less water.

The typical treatment for hypovolemic hyponatremia is to administer saline solutions to raise sodium levels. If blood water levels are too high (euvolemic hyponatremia), water/fluid restriction is recommended. Sometimes, in addition to reducing water intake and increasing sodium, you may need to take diuretics (which increase urination). When hyponatremia is severe and brain damage is likely, approximately 3% sodium solution is usually administered to control complications.

Fluids And Electrolytes Nursing Care Management And Study Guide

Kidney dysfunction, kidney disease, liver disease or damage, thyroid disorders, adrenal fatigue, and heart disease can increase the risk of hyponatremia, so it’s important to treat these underlying conditions. If you have any of these health problems, monitor your symptoms closely, eat a healthy diet, and talk to your doctor about ways to control your fluid levels so you don’t retain too much fluid/water in your body. Anyone with these conditions should avoid medication, vigorous exercise, diarrhea or vomiting, etc.

Because the adrenal glands produce hormones that control fluid levels in your body, improving adrenal health is an important step in preventing symptoms related to electrolyte imbalances. Dietary steps you can take to care for your adrenal glands include eating more fresh vegetables and fruits, foods high in B vitamins (like fish or eggs), mushrooms, coconut oil/coconut milk, and seaweed. Reducing stress, getting enough rest and sleep, and exercising in a healthy way (not too much or too little) will keep your adrenal glands working properly.

While drinking enough water is essential for many bodily functions, drinking too much (especially in a short period of time) can also happen. Drinking too much water dilutes the amount of sodium in the blood in proportion to water, causing the symptoms described above. When hyponatremia develops, you may lose sodium through sweat if you exercise intensely, such as when you finish a marathon.

If you’re active, you might think it’s best to drink as much water as possible to stay hydrated. If you lose a lot of electrolytes through sweat, you may need a sports drink or drink that provides sodium (in addition to other electrolytes).

Hyponatremia: Signs, Complications, And Outlook

Try to drink only as much fluid as you feel thirsty and lose through sweating. A good rule of thumb is to drink 8-10 ounces of water 15 minutes before you start exercising, and then drink another 8 ounces every 15 minutes during your workout. (7) Another good way to know if you’re drinking the right amount of water during the day (even if you’re inactive) is to check the color of your urine: you’ll often look for a pale yellow color. as opposed to clear or very dark as possible.

If you’re consuming too much hydrating foods and water, but not enough natural sea salt or sodium, it may help to make some changes. The main way you get sodium is through your diet in the form of sodium chloride or table salt. Today, the average person gets more than 75 percent of their sodium from processed foods, including low-quality meats, frozen dinners, condiments, canned goods, fried or fast foods, and more. Sodium goes by some of the names found in these processed foods: monosodium glutamate (MSG), sodium nitrite, sodium saccharin, baking soda (sodium bicarbonate), and sodium benzoate.

Instead of getting enough sodium from these unhealthy foods, try adding real sea salt to your home-cooked meals—that way you can control your salt intake (and you’ll also get a lot of benefits. If you use sea salt, you’ll get lots of minerals). Some healthy foods also provide small amounts of sodium naturally, including meat, milk, beets, and celery. (8)

One teaspoon (5 milliliters) of table salt/sea salt contains about 2,300 milligrams of sodium, and most health authorities recommend that most adults without heart or kidney problems limit their intake of added salt to this. amount (no more than 2,300 milligrams per day if you are healthy or 1,500 milligrams per day if you have a pre-existing condition such as heart disease).

Metabolic Acidosis: Causes, Symptoms, Diagnosis & Treatment

If medications such as diuretics or antidepressants are contributing to your condition, your doctor can recommend how to change your dosage to safely increase sodium levels and prevent water retention. You should never change your medication or stop taking it without talking to your doctor, but using natural remedies like a healthy diet, essential oils, exercise, stress reduction, and certain supplements can help treat conditions like bloating, anxiety, and depression.

If you’re currently pregnant, going through menopause, or going through other hormonal changes, these electrolyte changes can cause bloating, fatigue, mood swings, and more. may be. Because of how female sex hormones affect fluid and sodium levels, premenopausal women are at greatest risk for hyponatremia. Those whose adrenal glands are under stress are also at risk.

After ruling out disorders such as adrenal insufficiency (Addison’s disease) and thyroid disorders/damage, try to balance your hormones naturally through exercise, stress-reducing exercises (such as yoga, deep breathing, or meditation), and a nutrient-dense diet. , using hormone balancing essential oils and possibly taking herbs/supplements that may help.

If you have mild symptoms like muscle weakness or headache after intense exercise or time in high heat/humidity, you probably don’t need to see a doctor. But if you suddenly develop unexplained symptoms of electrolyte imbalance, especially after high-intensity exercise or if you have conditions such as low blood pressure and/or diabetes, see your doctor.

Top 10 Foods Highest In Sodium

Watch for signs and symptoms of sudden low blood sodium. This is important after being in the hospital, after surgery, after participating in a marathon/long distance run.

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