What is the most common cause of hyponatremia?
The commonest cause of euvolemic hyponatremia is Syndrome of inappropriate secretion of Anti diuretic hormone (SIADH).
What happens when you have hyponatremia?
In hyponatremia, one or more factors — ranging from an underlying medical condition to drinking too much water — cause the sodium in your body to become diluted. When this happens, your body’s water levels rise, and your cells begin to swell. This swelling can cause many health problems, from mild to life-threatening.
How do you fix hyponatremia?
Options include:
- Intravenous fluids. Your doctor may recommend IV sodium solution to slowly raise the sodium levels in your blood.
- Medications. You may take medications to manage the signs and symptoms of hyponatremia, such as headaches, nausea and seizures.
What does hyponatremia do to your body?
Hyponatremia occurs when the amount of sodium (salt) in your blood is lower than normal. Sodium is an electrolyte (mineral) that helps your muscles, heart, and digestive system work properly. It helps control blood pressure and fluid balance.
What kind of medication is used for hyponatremia?
Certain newer medications, like tolvaptan (Samsca®), may be used to correct blood sodium levels. Treatment to correct any underlying medical problems – like congestive heart failure (when poor heart function causes fluid to build up in the body) – is also used to improve hyponatremia.
What does it mean when your sodium level is below normal?
Hyponatremia means that the sodium level in the blood is below normal. Your body needs sodium for fluid balance, blood pressure control, as well as the nerves and muscles. The normal blood sodium level is 135 to 145 milliequivalents/liter (mEq/L). Hyponatremia occurs when your blood sodium level goes below 135 mEq/L.
How does binge drinking lead to hyponatremia?
Chronic or binge alcohol consumption can cause people to lose too much sodium through increased urination and vomiting. You can have hyponatremia without feeling dehydrated or volume depleted. This is most often the case in hospitalized patients. What are the symptoms of hyponatremia?
How dangerous is hyponatremia?
Summary Notes: Hyponatremia is a potentially dangerous condition in which low sodium levels occur in the blood. Even at low levels it impairs performance; and in severe cases can be fatal. The best way to avoid hyponatremia is to avoid excessive drinking.
What are the problems associated with hyponatremia?
Severe hyponatremia – Severe hyponatremia can lead to problems such as disorientation, agitation, neurological deficits, seizures, edema of the brain and even coma.
What is the prognosis of hyponatremia?
The prognosis of Hyponatremia is dependent on the underlying cause. Acute Hyponatremia, which occurs very rapidly, is the most dangerous form than Hyponatremia that develops gradually and with time. This is because, when the levels of sodium start to fall gradually the brain cells have time to adjust and here is very minimal swelling of the cells.
How do you correct hyponatremia?
Treatment of depletional hyponatremia. The underlying cause of fluid and sodium loss is corrected. The oral intake of fluids with electrolytes (using oral rehydration solution ORS) is encouraged, according to thirst levels. If necessary, intravenous fluids with sodium chloride 0.9% is given.