Is Low Sodium common in the elderly?
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.
How do you increase sodium levels in old age?
Treatment of hyponatremia in the elderly In acute symptomatic hyponatremia, hypertonic saline solution (3%) is commonly used to acutely increase serum sodium levels and prevent severe neurologic symptoms (eg, seizures).
What’s the normal amount of sodium in your blood?
A normal level of sodium in your blood is between 135 and 145 milliequivalents per liter (mEQ/L), which measures how much sodium is available to interact with other molecules in your blood, allowing it to effectively regulate your water levels.
What should my blood sodium level be if I have hypernatremia?
The normal blood sodium levels range from 135 to 145 mEq/L. If your result shows that you have a blood sodium level of less than 135 mEq/L, then you may be suffering from hyponatremia. If your result shows that you have a blood sodium level of more than 145 mEq/L, then you may have hypernatremia.
When do you need a sodium blood test?
A sodium blood test may be recommended by your doctor if you are manifesting symptoms of too little or too much sodium in your blood. You need to maintain normal sodium levels in your blood. If you don’t have a normal sodium level in the blood, then it can indicate a certain condition.
How can I find out my sodium level?
You can find out your sodium levels through both blood and urine tests. Your doctor may order a sodium test as part of a general blood test for glucose levels, electrolytes, or kidney function.
What should be minimum sodium level in blood?
The result may vary depending on different laboratories. The normal blood sodium levels range from 135 to 145 mEq/L. If your result shows that you have a blood sodium level of less than 135 mEq/L, then you may be suffering from hyponatremia.
What is level is below dangerous for serum sodium?
Somewhere around 135 to 145 milliequivalents per liter, or mEq/L, is the ideal range for serum sodium, reports MedlinePlus. It isn’t common for sodium levels to be low, but once your sodium drops below 135 mEq/L, it can be problematic. Having a level of 125 milliequivalents per liter or less is severely dangerous.
What to do if you have low sodium levels?
Intravenous Fluids. Intravenous fluids in the form of isotonic saline are used to treat more severe cases of low sodium levels. An isotonic saline solution has a similar concentration of saline, or salt, as the concentration of saline in body fluids. This helps stabilize sodium levels.
What are the dangers of low sodium levels?
A low level of blood sodium is a sign that your body’s concentration of electrolytes has changed. This condition, which is called hyponatremia , can lead to several dangerous health problems. Early signs of low sodium levels are difficult to diagnose, but can progress to cause brain swelling, brain damage and possibly death when left untreated.