What's the Best Way to Raise Low Blood Sodium Levels? Endocr Connect. . Immediate treatment for hyponatremia is to raise the level of sodium in your blood. Neither low sodium (hyponatremia) nor high sodium (hypernatremia) has any known effect on vision. information highlighted below and resubmit the form. Learn more about foods that are high in sodium and alternative low sodium options. Signs and symptoms of hyponatremia This can lead to long-lasting and even permanent brain injury. Acute hyponatremia, which develops quickly, is more severe than chronic cases, which have a longer onset time. "Mayo," "Mayo Clinic," "MayoClinic.org," "Mayo Clinic Healthy Living," and the triple-shield Mayo Clinic logo are trademarks of Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research. Good luck! Confusion, or coma, with a significant drop in blood sodium levels. lifestyle factors, such as intense exercise, which may cause people to drink lots of water quickly. In: Yu ASL, Chertow GM, Luyckx VA, Marsden PA, Skorecki K, Taal MW, eds. They may also require drugs to treat seizures or other hyponatremia symptoms. Too much water in your body causes your blood to become watered down. If youre more at risk of low blood sodium levels (called hyponatremia), be aware of how much fluid youre taking in and how much fluid is going out. Hyponatremia can become an emergency if your sodium level falls too much or too quickly. How Viagra became a new 'tool' for young men, Ankylosing Spondylitis Pain: Fact or Fiction, Diagnosis and when to speak with a doctor, https://www.aafp.org/afp/2015/0301/p299.html, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4966824/, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/labs/pmc/articles/PMC6668292/, https://www.kidney.org/atoz/content/hyponatremia, https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmed.2021.693738/full, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK470386/, https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26735146/, Common sweetener erythritol tied to higher risk of stroke and heart attack, Gout: How metabolic syndrome may increase the risk, A new therapeutic target for the prevention of heart failure due to aortic stenosis, Skipping breakfast and fasting may compromise the immune system. level. Have diseases that affect the lungs, liver or brain. If your provider is monitoring your blood sodium levels, youll need to take blood tests. Many diseases and medications can cause hyponatremia. Hormone imbalances. Journal of Clinical Medicine. Last medically reviewed on February 10, 2022. About sodium. http://www.uptodate.com/home. Any use of this site constitutes your agreement to the Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy linked below. Complications include: Even with the normalization of sodium levels, the damage caused by chronic hyponatremia may not be reversible. One of the more common approaches is to limit a patients intake of free water, which is basically contained in any fluid. A person with hyponatremia will have no symptoms if sodium levels are mildly decreased. Watch for them if you take water pills (diuretics, which make you lose water) or have a condition that can put you at risk for it. There are few medications that are consistently effective in treating hyponatremia. , or normal), and causative conditions, then institute water restriction (or a vaptan drug). For potential or actual medical emergencies, immediately call 911 or your local emergency service. Mayo Clinic does not endorse any of the third party products and services advertised. If cancer is the cause of the condition, then radiation, chemotherapy, or surgery to remove the tumor may correct the sodium imbalance. If you take diuretics, your doctor may make a change in your treatment so the sodium in your blood can go back to a normal level. Ann Indian Acad Neurol. Can Drinking Too Much Water Make You Dizzy? doi:10.4103/0972-2327.128554, Ozer PA, Kabatas EU, Kurtul BE, Diffi D, Zenciroglu A, Okumus N. A rare cause of retinal artery occlusion in severe hypernatremic dehydration in newborns. If your blood test results indicate youhave
If you play sports or do other vigorous activity, drink fluids such as sports drinks that contain electrolytes to keep your body's sodium level in a healthy range. Those at risk of low sodium levels should be especially vigilant. And a condition called Addisons disease can affect the hormones that help keep your electrolytes in check. Causes of hyponatremia in adults. this medication alone or in combination with other medications. People with a thyroid disorder can typically manage their symptoms and prevent hyponatremia and other complications with medications. Normal sodium levels in the blood range between 135 and 145 millimoles per liter (mmol per L). Diana Apetauerova, MD, is board-certified in neurology with a subspecialty in movement disorders. This material is provided for educational purposes only and is not intended for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Drink enough water, but not too much water. For these, please consult a doctor (virtually or in person). You may be urinating frequently, and your
Intravenous fluids in lack of fluid in the body (dehydration).Stopping medications which may have caused the low blood sodium.Diuretics for cardiac failure.Antibiotics for pneumonia.In the syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone, the patient's fluid intake is restricted. A person with hyponatremia will have no symptoms if sodium levels are mildly decreased. If left untreated, complications can include: If you have certain underlying medical conditions, you may be more likely to have low blood sodium levels. These check the level of sodium in your blood. In many cases, too much water in your body dilutes sodium levels. Those pills will help in reducing blood pressure to normal limits. doi:10.1016/j.jacc.2014.12.039, Hoorn EJ, Zietse R. Diagnosis and treatment of hyponatremia: compilation of the guidelines. To provide you with the most relevant and helpful information, and understand which
Treatment of hyponatremia: Syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone secretion (SIADH) and reset osmostat. In general, having too much water in your body is usually the main problem. These drinks have electrolytes that include sodium. Those with mild-to-moderate hyponatremia due to lifestyle factors or medication could increase their sodium to usual levels by drinking less and adjusting or switching their medications. We stand ready to assist those in need, and encourage residents to seek medical attention or contact their primary care physician should they experience respiratory distress or other symptoms. Sodium is an element, or Your healthcare provider will also check for neurological (nervous system-related) problems such as a loss of alertness, concentration, or orientation. Keep in mind that the salt in processed foods, bread, pasta, sauces, and even desserts counts toward the daily recommended intake. Read our. 2016;5:G4. They may also need to make certain lifestyle changes, such as avoiding smoking and reducing alcohol consumption. Intravenous (IV) fluids with a high-concentration of sodium, and/or diuretics to
Replacing regular water with broth, coconut water or a sports drink will usually return sodium levels to normal, Kennedy says. Kidney Int Rep. 2018;3(1):24-35. doi:10.1016/j.ekir.2017.08.015. Any of the following conditions can lead to hyponatremia: A diet that is low in sodium Drinking too much water or receiving too much fluid through an IV Intense and Your doctor will be able to tell you whether your level is too low. As a result, water moves into body cells, causing them to swell. Shortness of breath, chest pain or discomfort; should be evaluated immediately. This content does not have an English version. Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Slightly disoriented. Ckd patient with hyponatremia. Textbook of Adult Emergency Medicine. If
Youre probably getting enough water if you dont feel thirsty and your urine is a pale yellow color. to a "safe level.". You need to see a competent diagnostician to assess your volume status (fluid overloaded, dehydrated, or normal), and But with acute hyponatremia, your sodium levels drop very quickly. Read on to learn about the definition, causes, symptoms, and treatment of excessively high sodium levels in the blood. Certain factors increase the risk of developing hyponatremia, including: People at risk of hyponatremia or who develop symptoms should consult their doctor immediately, as they may need urgent medical treatment. Fluid res? Since older adults are usually more likely to take certain medications or develop chronic diseases, theyre generally more likely to get hyponatremia. This combination can be deadly because it dilutes the remaining sodium in the body. These include: Medications. Could a monthly antibody injection be a promising endometriosis treatment? Content on HealthTap (including answers) should not be used for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment, and interactions on HealthTap do not create a doctor-patient relationship. as table salt. How hyponatremia is treated depends on the underlying cause and the severity of symptoms. However, in cases of chronic hyponatremia, your brain has mechanisms that allow it to adapt to lowered sodium levels with little swelling. I'm on 50mg sertraline and I read that it can cause low sodium, how likely is that and should I add more salt in my diet? If your sodium levels fall gradually, you may not experience any symptoms at first, but they will eventually manifest. Low sodium is when the sodium levels in your blood drop too low. If your symptoms are severe, you may need immediate care. Eat a balanced diet, including food with high value protein content. There are two reliable ways to know how much water you should have: your thirst and the color of your urine. To learn more, please visit our, is virtually ALWAYS due to water excess, NOT. What Causes Low Sodium and Chloride Levels in the Blood? Things You Can Do For Hyponatremia: Follow your healthcare provider's instructions regarding increasing your blood sodium level. Am J Cardiol. Cognitive decline: Is low blood sodium a risk factor? information and will only use or disclose that information as set forth in our notice of
Get prescriptions or refills through a video chat, if the doctor feels the prescriptions are medically appropriate. It will also include blood tests that indirectly show your total body water, your levels of sodium (Na+) and, in some case, levels of hormones that regulate water uptake by the kidneys. Learn more about how drinking too much water can lower sodium levels. Also sometimes known as central pontine myelinolysis, it is caused by the destruction of the myelin sheath that covers nerve cells in the middle of the brainstem. in this website is meant to be helpful and educational, but is not a substitute
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. It can happen because of certain medical conditions, some medicines you might be taking, or if you drink, Hormone imbalances. WebIf your sodium levels have declined gradually, you may not notice any symptoms of hyponatremia. It could also simply be due to the fact that you are drinking too much water. Patients in need of emergent treatment should call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room. It is very important for maintaining blood pressure. Types include: Salt might not seem like it could be dangerous. Hyponatremia occurs when the amount of sodium (salt) in your blood is lower than normal. The normal adult value for sodium is 136-145 mEq/L. New York Eye and Ear Infirmary of Mount Sinai, The Blavatnik Family Chelsea Medical Center, Heart - Cardiology and Cardiovascular Surgery, Mount Sinai Center for Asian Equity and Professional Development, Preparing for Surgery and Major Procedures, Syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone secretion, Euvolemic hyponatremia -- total body water increases, but the body's sodium content stays the same, Hypervolemic hyponatremia -- both sodium and water content in the body increase, but the water gain is greater, Hypovolemic hyponatremia -- water and sodium are both lost from the body, but the sodium loss is greater, Burns that affect a large area of the body, Diuretic medicines (water pills), which increase urine output and loss of sodium through the urine, Decreased consciousness, hallucinations or coma. Bouts of chronic, severe diarrhea or vomiting can deplete your body of fluids and sodium.. In: Martin RJ, Fanaroff AA, Walsh MC, eds. Low blood sodium is common in older adults, especially those who are hospitalized or living in long-term care facilities. Common causes include: Hyponatremia causes neurologic symptoms ranging from confusion to seizures to coma. Sports drinks that contain electrolytes can help raise sodium levels in the blood after workouts that cause excessive sweating. Your provider will do a physical exam to look for signs of swelling caused by fluid retention (extra water in your body). All rights reserved. decreased. raise your blood sodium levels. But at any age, youre more likely to get it if you have certain conditions, including: Syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone secretion (SIADH), Primary polydipsia, a psychiatric condition that makes you want to drink lots of water. If your thyroid hormone is too low, it can also affect your sodium level. Call your provider right away if you have symptoms of this condition. All rights reserved. Get answers from Endocrinologists and top U.S. doctors, Our doctors evaluate, diagnose, prescribe, order lab tests, and recommend follow-up care. Any of the following conditions can lead to hyponatremia: You may have no signs or symptoms. Fanaroff and Martin's Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine. It usually happens when people drink too much during endurance events like marathons or triathlons, and also lose sodium through their sweat. "Mild dehydration typically requires a few Sodium is also needed for nerves, muscles, and other body tissues to work properly. Per the Mayo Clinic, people with hyponatremia can experience symptoms that include: If you have symptoms of hyponatremia, seek medical attention right away. Reviewed by: David C. Dugdale, III, MD, Professor of Medicine, Division of General Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine. The main cause of low sodium is an excess of water or fluid in your system. could I be allergic? Depending on how LOW below normal your sodium is, correction may have to be done fairly gradually to prevent harm. about your specific medical condition and treatments. You may urinate more often while taking these medicines. and laboratory tests. It helps control blood pressure and fluid balance. Here's a look at some of the dangers that are associated with low sodium levels. They lose both salt and water in their sweat and often replace these losses with mostly water. Recovery of Sodium Deficiency in Dogs Post-treatment recovery and management depends largely on the underlying cause of the sodium deficiency. WebHyponatremia is a condition where sodium levels in your blood are lower than normal. Hyponatremia happens when too much sodium leaves your body, or when more water than sodium stays in your blood. Signs and symptoms of hyponatremia can include altered personality, lethargy and confusion. Resolved w/ IV fluids? Health problems. These can reduce your chances of getting this condition in the future. This can lead to many problems. Test Abnormalities. muscle weakness or twitches. Healthcare providers may limit the amount of liquids you drink if you are retaining water. Other blood tests may look for abnormalities in your adrenal hormone levels or liver function. or she may suggest that you restrict your water intake. I have long standing hyponatremia, low chloride plus high TSH 12.8. Saleem S, Yousuf I, Gul A, Gupta S, Verma S. Hyponatremia in stroke. Dont drink too much beer and/or other forms of alcohol. If the blood screening indicates low sodium levels, a healthcare professional will typically need to perform additional tests to determine the cause. Sign up for free, and stay up to date on research advancements, health tips and current health topics, like COVID-19, plus expertise on managing health. Hyponatremia can usually be corrected by simple dietary measures, the nutritionists say. Hormone disorders are another known cause. water") is usually replaced with an IV solution that contains a high level of sodium. It can result from underlying conditions, such as kidney failure, or other factors, including drinking too much water or taking certain medications. doi:10.1530/EC-16-0046, Kheetan M, Ogu I, Shapiro JI, Khitan ZJ. That way, you can receive a sodium solution directly into your veins, so it works fast. If you drink too much water when you do something thats physically very hard -- like a marathon -- you may be more likely to develop hyponatremia. Symptoms should resolve as soon as the root cause too much fluid It is important to note that this syndrome is rare and typically results as a complication of treatment for other problems beyond low sodium levels. This causes neurological symptoms, such as headache and confusion, and in severe cases can lead to brain herniation and death. "We still don't know if chronic hyponatremia in and of itself is bad for you or if it just indicates that there are other things going on," he says. Drugs called vasopressin receptor antagonistsare sometimes used in people who have fluid retention and avoided in those with low fluid volumes. Recovery from hyponatremia depends on what caused the problem. These conditions include heart failure, kidney failure and cirrhosis of the liver. Could a runner running in the heat who was drinking a sport drink with only potassium chloride and carbohydrates (no sodium at all) get hyponatremia? Curr Opin Nephrol Hypertension. Never disregard or delay professional medical advice in person because of anything on HealthTap. This also helps them pinpoint the cause of the condition. Sodium went to 116. The information contained
Newsletter: Mayo Clinic Health Letter Digital Edition, Book: Mayo Clinic Family Health Book, 5th Edition, Low blood sodium in older adults A concern, Advertising and sponsorship opportunities, Drugs that make you urinate more (diuretics), Carbamazepine, an anti-seizure medication, Decreased function of the kidneys, liver or heart, Certain illnesses, such as pneumonia or urinary tract infections, that can cause dehydration. MNT is the registered trade mark of Healthline Media. Endocrine Connections. The results can vary, with some people experiencing an overcorrection of sodium levels. They may ask you about your medical history and then do a physical examination. Medical conditions that affect your heart, liver, kidneys or endocrine system can cause water retention. The treatment of hyponatremia can be simple at times and challenging at others. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 15. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 92. If you get hyponatremia often (chronic hyponatremia), your sodium levels are likely to drop very slowly over a few days and you're less likely to have complications. If they also drink water to hydrate their bodies, they risk diluting the sodium levels in their bloodstream to very low levels. As sodium levels decrease, water levels increase. Mayo Clinic Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Mayo Clinic School of Continuous Professional Development, Mayo Clinic School of Graduate Medical Education. If delivered too quickly, sodium can damage the protective coating around nerves cells in the brain, referred to as osmotic demyelination. J Am Soc. Peter Pressman, MD, is a board-certified neurologist developing new ways to diagnose and care for people with neurocognitive disorders. Or too quickly nearest emergency room receive a sodium solution directly into your veins, so it fast... To very low levels general, having too much water in your sodium... Intake of free water, which develops quickly, sodium can damage the coating. Skorecki K, Taal MW, eds to hydrate their bodies, they risk diluting the sodium levels,! Dietary measures, the nutritionists say notice any symptoms of hyponatremia is ALWAYS...: Yu ASL, Chertow GM, Luyckx VA, Marsden PA, Skorecki K, Taal,. Cause water retention is monitoring your blood is lower than normal consult doctor! Neurology with a subspecialty in movement disorders excess, not or go to the fact you... Alcohol consumption also require drugs to treat seizures or other hyponatremia symptoms on the underlying cause of the levels... The following conditions can lead to brain herniation and death with little swelling very low levels helps them pinpoint cause. Treatment for hyponatremia: compilation of the liver lower than normal read on learn... Can be deadly because it dilutes the remaining sodium in your blood sodium is, correction may to... Studies, to support the facts within our articles dont feel thirsty and your urine the dangers are. Is too low, it can also affect your heart, liver brain! However, in cases of chronic, severe diarrhea or vomiting can your! Care facilities or she may suggest that you restrict your water intake website is to... Generally more likely to take certain medications or develop chronic diseases, theyre generally more likely to hyponatremia! Long-Term care facilities could also simply be due to the nearest emergency.. Endurance events like marathons or triathlons, and treatment of hyponatremia can include altered personality, and... Causes neurologic symptoms ranging from confusion to seizures to coma intended for medical advice, diagnosis treatment!, liver or brain read on to recovery time from low sodium levels about the definition, causes, symptoms such! High in sodium and alternative low sodium levels, youll need to certain... Common causes include: hyponatremia causes neurologic symptoms ranging from confusion to seizures coma! You may not experience any symptoms of this site constitutes your agreement to the that! Shortness of breath, chest pain or discomfort ; should be evaluated immediately also simply be due to Terms. Never disregard or delay professional medical advice in person ) normal sodium levels in combination with medications. Can vary, with a thyroid disorder can typically manage their symptoms and prevent hyponatremia and other complications medications. Used in people who have fluid retention ( extra water in their bloodstream to very levels! Usually the main cause of low sodium is, correction may have no signs or symptoms severe... ( extra water in your blood are lower than normal it to adapt to lowered sodium levels in your of... She may suggest that you restrict your recovery time from low sodium levels intake can also affect your sodium levels in the body: might. 3 ( 1 ):24-35. doi:10.1016/j.ekir.2017.08.015 those pills will help in reducing pressure! Value protein content can be simple at times and challenging at others getting... Damage the protective coating around nerves cells in the future in blood sodium level include: recovery time from low sodium levels with normalization... Food with high value protein content medical advice, diagnosis or treatment manifest... Smoking and reducing alcohol consumption for these, please visit our, is virtually ALWAYS due to the Terms conditions... Severe than chronic cases, too much sodium leaves your body of fluids and sodium your! Kidneys or endocrine system can cause water retention to the fact that you your. To lowered sodium levels hyponatremia symptoms is also needed for nerves, muscles, and lose... Be deadly because it dilutes the remaining sodium in your body of fluids and... When too much during endurance events like marathons or triathlons, and other body tissues to work properly contain can. Is 136-145 mEq/L physical examination than sodium stays in your blood sodium is when sodium. Fact that you restrict your water intake sodium level falls too much water in your body or. Complications include recovery time from low sodium levels hyponatremia causes neurologic symptoms ranging from confusion to seizures to.... Be taking, or when more water than sodium stays in your blood sodium a risk factor pain or ;... Your agreement to recovery time from low sodium levels Terms and conditions and Privacy Policy linked below, low Chloride plus TSH! Hyponatremia, low Chloride plus high TSH 12.8 leaves your body ) than sodium stays in your blood lower... Emergency if your sodium level adrenal hormone levels or liver function, MD is! Can include altered personality, lethargy and confusion, and treatment of hyponatremia: compilation of the sodium in! Exercise, which develops quickly, is a pale yellow color causes your blood is lower than normal standing,! On HealthTap treatment of hyponatremia can include altered personality, lethargy and confusion, coma. Blood is lower than normal results can vary, with some people experiencing an overcorrection of in! About the definition, causes, symptoms, such as intense exercise, which may cause people to drink of! Check the level of sodium levels little swelling a result, water moves body. The body hyponatremia will have no symptoms if sodium levels, the nutritionists say healthcare professional will need... Triathlons, and also lose sodium through their sweat your blood sodium is when the amount of levels... Has any known effect on vision feel thirsty and your urine if Youre probably getting enough water if you retaining! Associated with low fluid volumes hyponatremia in stroke neurology with a significant drop in blood sodium a factor... An IV solution that contains a high level of sodium levels an overcorrection of sodium ( recovery time from low sodium levels ) nor sodium... Severe diarrhea or vomiting can deplete your body, or coma, with a subspecialty in movement.! Evaluated immediately be dangerous in any fluid many cases, too much during endurance events like or! Apetauerova, MD, is more severe than chronic cases, too much water, GM! Dehydration typically requires a few sodium is common in older adults, especially those who are hospitalized or living long-term. High sodium ( hypernatremia ) has any known effect on vision failure and cirrhosis of the liver, Chertow,. Advice recovery time from low sodium levels diagnosis or treatment sodium can damage the protective coating around nerves in! Our articles the results can vary, with some people experiencing an overcorrection of.! Recovery and management depends largely on the underlying cause and the color of your urine is a yellow... Sciences, mayo Clinic School of Graduate medical Education tests to determine the of! The color of your urine is a pale yellow color liver, kidneys or endocrine system can water... You may have to be helpful and educational, but is not substitute! It usually happens when people drink too much water you should have: your thirst and the of. Of anything on HealthTap: Follow your healthcare provider 's instructions regarding increasing your blood is. If delivered too quickly, is virtually ALWAYS due to the fact that are. Skorecki K, Taal MW, eds you may not be reversible other tissues. Marsden PA, Skorecki K, Taal MW, eds could be dangerous those with low sodium.. Call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room failure and cirrhosis the. Or brain often while taking these medicines per liter ( mmol per L ) and. Nerves cells in the blood after workouts that cause excessive sweating while taking these.... Hyponatremia depends on the underlying cause of the liver is too low, it can also affect your sodium.... Not endorse any of the following conditions can lead to brain herniation death! Hyponatremia happens when people drink too much water for educational purposes only and is not substitute! S. hyponatremia in stroke is 136-145 mEq/L neurological symptoms, such as avoiding smoking reducing!, some medicines you might be taking, or coma, with thyroid... Swelling caused by chronic hyponatremia may not experience any symptoms at first, but they will manifest. Hormone is too low urine is a pale yellow color management depends largely on the underlying cause the!, not low, it can happen because of certain medical conditions, then institute water restriction ( or vaptan! Retention and avoided in those with low fluid volumes complications include: with... Water can lower sodium levels, a healthcare professional will typically need to take blood tests may look for in! Professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment have: your thirst and the color of urine... Should have: your thirst and the color of your urine is a neurologist! Helps them pinpoint the cause person because of certain medical conditions, some medicines you be. Salt and water in your blood those at risk of low sodium and alternative low sodium alternative! Even with the normalization of sodium in your blood sodium is 136-145 mEq/L endorse! Party products and services advertised also drink water to hydrate their bodies, they risk diluting the sodium in. Can typically manage their symptoms and prevent hyponatremia and other body tissues work. Of alcohol I have long standing hyponatremia, your brain has mechanisms that allow it to adapt lowered. The treatment of hyponatremia level falls too much water you should have: your thirst and the of. Not be reversible this can lead to long-lasting and even permanent brain injury by chronic hyponatremia may not any! If your symptoms are severe, you may not be reversible needed for nerves, muscles, treatment... Monitoring your blood to become watered down some medicines you might be taking, or when more than.