What symptoms are associated with hyponatremia?
Hyponatremia signs and symptoms may include:
- Nausea and vomiting.
- Headache.
- Confusion.
- Loss of energy, drowsiness and fatigue.
- Restlessness and irritability.
- Muscle weakness, spasms or cramps.
- Seizures.
- Coma.
What is mild hyponatremia?
Mild chronic hyponatremia, as defined by a persistent (>72 hours) plasma sodium concentration between 125 and 135 mEq/L without apparent symptoms, is common in ambulatory patients and generally perceived as being inconsequential.
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.
What happens when your body is low on electrolytes?
When your body becomes low on electrolytes, it can impair your body’s functions, such as blood clotting, muscle contractions, acid balance, and fluid regulation. Your heart is a muscle, so that means electrolytes help regulate your heartbeat.
What is the most common cause of hypernatremia?
Two common causes of hypernatremia are insufficient fluid intake and too much water loss. In rare cases, consuming too much sodium can cause hypernatremia to occur. The opposite of hypernatremia is hyponatremia. This condition occurs when a person’s serum sodium level is less than 135 mEq/l.
How fast can you correct hyponatremia?
SORT: KEY RECOMMENDATIONS FOR PRACTICE
| Clinical recommendation | Evidence rating | Comments |
|---|---|---|
| In patients with severe symptomatic hyponatremia, the rate of sodium correction should be 6 to 12 mEq per L in the first 24 hours and 18 mEq per L or less in 48 hours. | C | Consensus guidelines based on systematic reviews |
What is considered severe hyponatremia?
Severe hyponatremia (< 125 mEq/L) has a high mortality rate. In patients whose serum sodium level falls below 105 mEq/L, and especially in alcoholics, the mortality is over 50%.
What is the prognosis of hyponatremia?
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.
How to fix hyponatremia?
Treatment depends on the cause of your hyponatremia and how severe it is. Healthcare providers may limit the amount of liquids you drink if you are retaining water. A salt solution may be given through an IV to increase the amount of sodium in your blood. Medicines may also be given to help get rid of extra fluid in your body.
What causes hypervolemic hyponatremia?
HYPERVOLEMIC HYPONATREMIA. The three main causes of hypervolemic hyponatremia are congestive heart failure, liver cirrhosis, and renal diseases such as renal failure and nephrotic syndrome. These disorders usually are obvious from the clinical history and physical examination alone.