IV infusion with a sodium solution to slowly raise levels in your blood over a few days Prescription medications to control problems l ike headache s, nausea, or seizures Hyponatremia Complications They may ask you about your medical history and then do a physical examination. Have you felt faint, had seizures or lost consciousness? If you have time to prepare, here's some information to help you get ready for your appointment, and what to expect from your doctor. If your thyroid hormone is too low, it can also affect your sodium level. Bouts of chronic, severe diarrhea or vomiting can deplete your body of fluids and sodium.Â. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders Elsevier; 2016. https://www.clinicalkey.com. You may not have any symptoms if your hyponatremia is very mild. Do I need to make any changes to how much fluid I usually drink? Getting treatment for conditions that contribute to hyponatremia, such as adrenal gland insufficiency, can help prevent low blood sodium. But they’ll need to see your test results to make sure you have hyponatremia. Treatment depends on the cause. Health problems. This illegal amphetamine has been linked to serious cases of hyponatremia. Symptoms usually appear when your level of sodium suddenly rises or drops. These drinks have electrolytes that include sodium. https://www.kidney.org/atoz/content/hyponatremia. Sodium-Infused Juices. Any use of this site constitutes your agreement to the Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy linked below. Accessed April 6, 2018. There are some suggestions for low sodium treatment at home, which also may help to prevent levels from dropping. It can happen because of certain medical conditions, some medicines you might be taking, or if you drink too much water. Sodium is an essential mineral—your body needs it and can't make it—so the only way to get it is through your food or by intravenous (IV) infusion in an emergency situation. For hyponatremia, some basic questions to ask your doctor include: Being ready to answer your doctor's questions may reserve time to go over any points you want to talk about in-depth. This can lead to many problems. How soon do you expect my symptoms will begin to improve? Merck Manual Professional Version. 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. Have you had a headache? Dr. Ramin Rafie answered 17 years experience Geriatrics Water restrictions: There are 2 ways of treating this 1- restricting water intake 2- taking … Heart failure and kidney or liver disease can affect the amount of fluids in your body, and in turn, your level of sodium. Since so many different things can cause hyponatremia, your treatment depends on the cause. © 2005 - 2020 WebMD LLC. Accessed April 6, 2018. A condition called SIADH (syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone) can make you retain water. But if you’re not working out really hard or for a long period of time, you might not need them. Sodium concentration is higher in the bloodstream than inside cells. If it’s below 135 mEq/L, it’s hyponatremia. 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. 2018;3:24. 1. It is used in the treatment of diarrhea, muscle cramps, dehydration, and fever due to its property of holding water in the body … © 1998-2020 Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research (MFMER). Have your symptoms included weakness, fatigue or lethargy? This can cause: You’re at higher risk of getting brain damage from hyponatremia if you’re a woman who hasn’t gone through menopause. Intravenous (IV) treatment with a base called sodium bicarbonate is one way to balance acids in the blood. Hyponatremia. To confirm low blood sodium, your doctor will order blood tests and urine tests. How is hyponatremia treated? Have your symptoms included any mental changes, such as feeling confused, agitated or depressed? Your doctor may ask: Mayo Clinic does not endorse companies or products. That can affect your sodium level. Trouble concentrating 7. In people who use diuretics, which eliminate excess sodium and fluid, reducing the dosage helps keep sodium levels within the normal range. How can I prevent a recurrence of this condition? Bope ET, et al. Hyponatremia (low blood sodium) is a condition that means you don’t have enough sodium in your blood. Hypervolemic hyponatremia may be caused by congestive heart failure, liver cirrhosis, and renal disease. This content does not have an English version. Hyponatremia. Muscle cramps 6. Your doctor will start by asking about your medical history and doing a physical examination. If yes, which drugs? Therefore the medication should be changed to drugs that do not … All rights reserved. Have your symptoms been getting any better or worse since they first developed? Symptoms of low sodium may include:2 1. In many cases, blood sodium levels fall gradually, producing only mild symptoms as the body has time to make adjustments. Because the symptoms of hyponatremia can vary so much from person to person, your doctor will probably order blood and urine tests to confirm the diagnosis. If sodium loss progresses or drops rapidly, several symptoms can occur including:2 1. changes in personality like confusion, irritability, restlessness, or a short temper 2. fatigue, lethargy, and drowsiness 3. headache 4. convulsions and seizures 5. feeling nauseous or vomitin… Have you started taking any new medications? Kidney International Reports. And a condition called Addison’s disease can affect the hormones that help keep your electrolytes in check. Your blood sodium level is normal if it’s 135 to 145 milliequivalents per liter (mEq/L). Consider Adjusting Your Diet. There are two reliable ways to know how much water you should have: your thirst and the color of your urine. Check out these best-sellers and special offers on books and newsletters from Mayo Clinic. It ‘s used to treat conditions that cause acidosis through bicarbonate (base) loss. It is generally defined as a sodium concentration of less than 135 mmol/L (135 mEq/L), with severe hyponatremia being below 120 … How low is too low? Accessed April 6, 2018. However, because the signs and symptoms of hyponatremia occur in many conditions, it's impossible to diagnose the condition based on a physical exam alone. With the help of sodium, the body controls blood pressure and blood volume. 3. If you consume very high amounts of hydrating foods plus water, but … Hyponatremia is a low sodium concentration in the blood. Severe sodium deficiency requires treatment with … You may need to stay in the hospital and have: IV infusion with a sodium solution to slowly raise levels in your blood over a few days, Prescription medications to control problems like headaches, nausea, or seizures. Regulate Body Fluids. Some hormones affect your sodium levels. You need some sodium in your bloodstream to control how much water is in and around the cells in your body. Treatment depends on the … Always talk with your doctor about the risks of a new medication. Water pills (diuretics) and some antidepressants and pain medications can make you pee or sweat more. Learn more about low sodium levels, risk factors, prevention and treatment here.Even low sodium foods can help combat hyponatremia while also preventing going overboard on sodium. In: Conn's Current Therapy 2017. These include: Medications. 2. In an emergency setting, low sodium is most often treated with the introduction of a sodium chloride solution into the bloodstream through intravenous (IV) delivery. A condition called SIADH (syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone) can make you retain water. Drinks enriched with sodium such as … If a person has a mild case of hyponatremia, there may not be any significant signs or symptoms associated with it, or the symptoms may initially be subtle. Most cases of prolonged hyponatremia in the elderly are related to medication. The treatment for critically low sodium levels usually includes reducing the fluid intake, treating the symptoms themselves, and adjusting the dosage of diuretics or any other medications that might be causing the symptoms in the first place. Fatigue 4. 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. Do you use recreational drugs? Have you had nausea, vomiting or diarrhea? Nippoldt TB (expert opinion). "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. It can also happen if you take the drugs that make the condition more likely. Additional treatment … It usually happens when people drink too much during endurance events like marathons or triathlons, and also lose sodium through their sweat. If your symptoms are severe, you may need immediate care. If you know you are at risk of hyponatremia and start seeing symptoms, call your doctor. Know the symptoms of hyponatremia. Include high-fiber foods. Following a heart-healthy diet made up of high-fiber, low-cholesterol and low-sodium foods will help you maintain or reach a healthy body weight. Irritability 5. Depending on the extent and duration of these signs and symptoms, your doctor may recommend seeking immediate medical care. What's the most likely cause of my symptoms? These drinks have, Smart Grocery Shopping When You Have Diabetes, Surprising Things You Didn't Know About Dogs and Cats, Coronavirus in Context: Interviews With Experts, Sign Up to Receive Our Free Coroanvirus Newsletter. is there a treatment for hyponatremia (low sodium)? Your doctor will be able to tell you whether your level is too low. Make a donation. Book: Mayo Clinic Family Health Book, 5th Edition, Newsletter: Mayo Clinic Health Letter — Digital Edition, FREE book offer – Mayo Clinic Health Letter. If you have severe, acute hyponatremia, you'll need more-aggressive treatment. You’re probably getting enough water if you don’t feel thirsty and your urine is a pale yellow color. 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 … Options include: Seek emergency care for anyone who develops severe signs and symptoms of hyponatremia, such as nausea and vomiting, confusion, seizures, or lost consciousness. Because of the low sodium, the amount of water in your body rises and causes your cells to swell. They may also require drugs to treat … Doctors think this may be because of how female sex hormones affect sodium levels. Â. Mayo Clinic is a not-for-profit organization. What are your symptoms and when did they start? Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. April 18, 2018. Sodium and water levels in the body are tightly regulated to keep it functioning normally. But at any age, you’re 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 waterÂ. Some are mild, but others can be serious and even life-threatening. This site complies with the HONcode standard for trustworthy health information: verify here. Differentiating between euvolemia and hypovolemia can … Treatment of Low Sodium in the Elderly. Hyponatremia treatment is aimed at addressing the underlying cause, if possible.If you have moderate, chronic hyponatremia due to your diet, diuretics or drinking too much water, your doctor may recommend temporarily cutting back on fluids. If you drink too much water when you do something that’s physically very hard -- like a marathon -- you may be more likely to develop hyponatremia. Eating low sodium … Balancing Your Fluid Intake and Output Limit your water intake to 1–1.5 L (34–51 fl oz) per day if … Hormone imbalances. Treatment of low blood sodium involves intravenous fluid and electrolyte replacement, medications to manage the symptoms of hyponatremia, as well as any treatments for the underlying … Jameson JL, et al., eds. Generally, low sodium is asymptomatic (does not produce symptoms), when it is mild or related to your diet. He or she may also suggest adjusting your diuretic use to increase the level of sodium in your blood. Individuals with severe symptoms often require hospitalization and an intravenous (IV) sodium treatment to get their sodium levels back to normal. National Kidney Foundation. Some hormones affect your sodium levels. Considered one of the mineral salts or electrolytes, treatment for low sodium responsible for maintaining fluid and electrical balance in the body due to its … There are several ways you may be able to prevent hyponatremia: If you have a condition that can lead to low blood sodium, like adrenal gland insufficiency, make sure you get it treated. Vaccine updates, safe care and visitor guidelines, and trusted coronavirus information, Mayo Clinic Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Mayo Clinic School of Continuous Professional Development, Mayo Clinic School of Graduate Medical Education. Changes to how much water you should have: your thirst and the color your! Very quickly through bicarbonate ( base ) loss on the … treatment of low sodium in your blood sodium is. Not need them Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. April 18, 2018 seek emergency care if you know are. 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