Sodium is an electrolyte that helps regulate the amount of water in the circulation and tissues. Sodium helps maintain normal blood pressure. Sodium also plays an important role in how nerves and muscles function.
Sodium is an electrolyte that helps regulate the amount of water in the circulation and tissues sodium helps maintain normal blood pressure sodium also plays an important role in how nerves and muscles function a normal blood sodium level is between 135 and 145 meal equivalents per liter when sodium level in the blood drops to below 135 it is called hyponatremia
Or abnormally low sodium level in the blood when hyponatremia occurs the water in the circulation and tissues enters body cells resulting in cell swelling self swelling causes a wide range of signs and symptoms such as nausea and vomiting headache confusion loss of energy drowsiness etc when sodium levels drop gradually over three days or longer the symptoms
And complications of hyponatremia are usually less severe when sodium levels drop quickly rapid brain swelling can occur which can lead to seizures calmer and even death many conditions can cause hyponatremia for example medications such as certain water pills antidepressants and pain pills the use of ecstasy or mdma a recreational drug can lead to hyponatremia
Congestive heart failure kidney disease liver disease syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone conditions that cause dehydration such as severe vomiting or diarrhea drinking too much water alcohol consumption adrenal gland insufficiency under active thyroid hyponatremia can be diagnosed with simple blood tests that measure the sodium level in the bloodstream
The following measures may help you prevent the occurrence of hyponatremia check blood tests regularly when you are taking medications that can cause hyponatremia follow your physician’s advice for the treatment of medical conditions that can contribute to hyponatremia for example adrenal gland insufficiency underactive thyroid congestive heart failure kidney
Disease liver disease etc take precautions during high intensity activities athletes should drink only as much fluid as they lose due to sweating during a race consider drinking sparse beverages during demanding activities such as marathons triathalons drink water in moderation if you do not feel thirsty and your urine color is pale yellow you are likely getting
Adequate fluid maintain adequate hydration if you have severe vomiting or diarrhea drink alcohol in moderation it is recommended that men should not drink more than two drinks a day and women should not drink more than one drink a day avoid using recreational drug ecstasy if you develop severe signs and symptoms of hyponatremia such as nausea and vomiting confusion
Seizures or loss of consciousness you should seek emergency care immediately severe hyponatremia should be treated with intravenous infusion of hypertonic saline sodium levels should be raised gradually over 24 to 72 hours rapid correction of sodium level is dangerous a new medication called webton can be used to treat hyponatremia in patients with heart failure
Or syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone less severe hyponatremia can be managed in an outpatient setting addressing the underlying medical conditions restriction of fluid intake adjusting diuretic use cutting down alcohol intake discontinuation of contributing medications can help correct hyponatremia thank you for watching
Transcribed from video
Why my sodium level is low? How to prevent low sodium level? By Dr. Chen’s Medical Videos
