Conditions Treated
Hypernatremia
Hyponatremia/ HypernatremiaSodium is an essential electrolyte that helps maintain the balance of water in and around your cells. It’s important for proper muscle and nerve function. It also helps maintain stable blood pressure levels.
Insufficient sodium in your blood is also known as hyponatremia. It occurs when water and sodium are out of balance. In other words, there’s either too much water or not enough sodium in your blood.
Hypernatremia is rare. It occurs when a person does not get enough water because of either limited access to water or an impaired thirst mechanism. It’s caused less commonly by diabetes insipidus. It occurs when your serum sodium level exceeds 145 mEq/L.
Symptoms of low sodium in bloodSymptoms of low blood sodium can vary from person to person. If your sodium levels fall gradually, you may not experience any symptoms. If they drop very quickly, your symptoms may be more severe.
Losing sodium quickly is a medical emergency. It can cause loss of consciousness, seizures, and coma.
Common symptoms of low blood sodium include:
- weakness
- fatigue or low energy
- headache
- nausea
- vomiting
- muscle cramps or spasms
- confusion
- irritability
Hypernatremia can cause:
- confusion
- neuromuscular excitability
- hyperreflexia
- seizures
- coma
Causes of low sodium in blood
Many factors can cause low blood sodium. Your sodium levels may get too low if your body loses too much water and electrolytes. Hyponatremia may also be a symptom of certain medical conditions.
Causes of low sodium include:
- severe vomiting or diarrhea
- taking certain medications, including antidepressants and pain medications
- taking diuretics (water pills)
- drinking too much water during exercise (this is very rare)
- dehydration
- kidney disease or kidney failure
