2004-2023 Healthline Media UK Ltd, Brighton, UK, a Red Ventures Company. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 92. This can lead to long-lasting and even permanent brain injury. Is this an emergency? If sodium levels are low in both your blood and your urine, you may be taking in too much water. With low blood sodium (hyponatremia), the imbalance of water to sodium is caused by one of three conditions: The health care provider will perform a complete physical examination and ask about your symptoms. Mayo Clinic does not endorse any of the third party products and services advertised. diluting out the sodium level in the bloodstream. All rights reserved. Symptoms usually appear when your level of sodium suddenly rises or drops. Foods high in sodium tend to be more processed than other foods. muscle weakness or twitches. 2016 May 1;47(5):482-5. doi:10.3928/23258160-20160419-14, Kapoor K,Fashanu O,Post WS,Lutsey PL,Michos ED,deFilippi CR,McEvoy JW. Sign up for free, and stay up to date on research advancements, health tips and current health topics, like COVID-19, plus expertise on managing health. You and your provider will work together to find the best treatment for the low blood sodium levels. Accessed June 21, 2017. By Peter Pressman, MD J Athl Train. Hyponatremia is a condition that happens when sodium levels in your blood are too low. Doctors typically provide answers within 24 hours. Some are mild, but others can be serious and even life-threatening. Please note, we cannot prescribe controlled substances, diet pills, antipsychotics, or other commonly abused medications. National Kidney Foundation: Electrolyte Imbalance., Medscape: How does ecstasy, or MDMA, induce hyponatremia? What causes hypervolemic hypernatremia?, UpToDate: Treatment of central diabetes insipidus., American Journal of Medicine: Hyponatremia as a Result of Posttraumatic Primary Polydipsia.. Read more: 4 Ways to Replenish Electrolytes After Sweating or Working Out. There is a problem with This content does not have an Arabic version. If you do not get enough or lose more than you take in, hyponatremia can occur. The thiazides, in comparison, act in the cortex in the distal tubule; as a result, they do not interfere with medullary function or with ADH-induced water retention. As a result, water moves into body cells, causing them to swell. Mayo Clinic offers appointments in Arizona, Florida and Minnesota and at Mayo Clinic Health System locations. You can find out more about our use, change your default settings, and withdraw your consent at any time with effect for the future by visiting Cookies Settings, which can also be found in the footer of the site. The outlook for people with low sodium levels depends on the severity of the condition and the underlying cause. Youre probably getting enough water if you dont feel thirsty and your urine is a pale yellow color. A common example of this type of medication is Furosemide (e.g Lasix). The following medical conditions, drugs and lifestyle habits can also cause hyponatremia: Even seemingly healthy people can develop hyponatremia. It can result from underlying conditions, such as kidney failure, or other factors, including drinking too much water or taking certain medications. These drinks have, Smart Grocery Shopping When You Have Diabetes, Surprising Things You Didn't Know About Dogs and Cats, Bird Flu Deaths Prompt U.S. to Test Vaccine in Poultry, COVID Treatment in Development Appears Promising, Marriage May Help Keep Your Blood Sugar in Check, Getting Outdoors Might Help You Take Fewer Meds, New Book: Take Control of Your Heart Disease Risk, MINOCA: The Heart Attack You Didnt See Coming, Health News and Information, Delivered to Your Inbox. Symptoms are more serious when blood sodium levels fall quickly. WebIf 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. How do I know how much sodium i can have? Gender: Female endurance athletes are more likely to develop hyponatremia than their male counterparts. You need to see a competent diagnostician to assess your volume status (fluid overloaded. Typical symptoms include: confusion. 5th ed. Use the nutrition facts label to reduce your intake of sodium in your diet. I have long standing hyponatremia, low chloride plus high TSH 12.8. These include: Medications. A person with hyponatremia will have no symptoms if sodium levels are mildly decreased. 2010;45(4):364-71. doi:10.4085/1062-6050-45.4.364, Gankam Kengne F, Decaux G. Hyponatremia and the Brain. Taking the recreational drug ecstasy or MDMA also increases the risk of severe hyponatremia in. This is because you are diluting the amount of sodium per volume of water in the body. Your healthcare provider can help even if you have long-term hyponatremia. Due to the rapid increase of fluids in the brain and other organs, a person with acute hyponatremia may experience: Chronic hyponatremia tends to be less severe but is insidious because it can silently damage organs over time even at milder levels. The correct ratio of these elements to the amount of total water in your body needs to stay in balance to make sure you stay healthy. 2015 Mar 17;65(10):104250. Read our. Hyponatremia may also be caused by lifestyle factors or medical conditions that affect the balance of water and/or sodium in the body. And a condition called Addisons disease can affect the hormones that help keep your, Syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone secretion, Because the symptoms of hyponatremia can vary so much from person to person, your doctor will probably order blood and, Prescription medications to control problems l, If you have a condition that can lead to low, Ask your doctor if you should drink sports beverages instead of water while doing intense physical activities. As the condition worsens, individuals may experience symptoms, such as: The definition of a low sodium level is below 135 milliequivalents per liter (meq/l). If they drop very quickly, your symptoms may be Drugs called vasopressin receptor antagonistsare sometimes used in people who have fluid retention and avoided in those with low fluid volumes. Dietary sodium and health: more than just blood pressure, Diagnosis and treatment of hyponatremia: compilation of the guidelines, Clinical aspects of symptomatic hyponatremia, Complications and management of hyponatremia, Sweat rates, sweat sodium concentrations, and sodium losses in 3 groups of professional football players, Use the nutrition facts label to reduce your intake of sodium in your diet, A rare cause of retinal artery occlusion in severe hypernatremic dehydration in newborns, Relation of DietarySodiumIntake With Subclinical Markers of Cardiovascular Disease (from MESA). Note: We strongly encourage you to talk with your health care professional In: Cameron P, Little M, Mitra B, Deasy C, eds. Have conditions related to hormone levels and the, Take certain medications like some types of diuretics or some types of. There are few medications that are consistently effective in treating hyponatremia. http://www.uptodate.com/home. It can also happen if you take the drugs that make the condition more likely. The medical name of this condition is hyponatremia. Rates of hyponatremia are higher among people admitted to hospital care units or with the medical conditions mentioned earlier. Severe potassium deficiency is called hypokalemia, and it occurs when a persons potassium levels fall below 3.6 millimoles per liter (mmol/L). Can Drinking Too Much Water Make You Dizzy? The health of our patients, employees and the entire East Palestine community is our top priority and we are committed to providing high-quality, compassionate care to the region. What's the Best Way to Raise Low Blood Sodium Levels? Central to the diagnosis is a blood test that measures the concentration of sodium in your blood. WebReceive world-class medical opinion about your low Sodium levels over email.Upload blood test report now. Coming to a Cleveland Clinic location?Hillcrest Cancer Center check-in changesCole Eye entrance closingVisitation, mask requirements and COVID-19 information, Notice of Intelligent Business Solutions data eventLearn more. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our. Check out these best-sellers and special offers on books and newsletters from Mayo Clinic Press. The main cause of low sodium is an excess of water or fluid in your system. other information we have about you. Journal of Clinical Medicine. Since so many different things can cause hyponatremia, your treatment depends on the cause. Rarely, the treatment of hyponatremia can also lead to neurological damage. Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances. I would get symptomatic from small amounts of sodium. Water pills (diuretics) and some antidepressants and pain medications can make you pee or sweat more. These conditions may require treatment with medications or surgery. It usually happens when people drink too much during endurance events like marathons or triathlons, and also lose sodium through their sweat. or an electrolyte, that is found in the blood. "It's a bad prognostic sign," Dr. Weiner says. Hyponatremia happens when too much sodium leaves your body, or when more water than sodium stays in your blood. When the amount of sodium in fluids outside cells drops below normal, water moves into the cells to balance the levels. http://www.uptodate.com/home. Outcome depends on the condition that is causing the problem. The treatment for hyponatremia is to raise To learn more, please visit our, is virtually ALWAYS due to water excess, NOT. Mild cases may not cause notable symptoms, but severely low levels of sodium can cause serious and even life-threatening symptoms. The following list of medications are in some way related to or used in the treatment of this condition. Cleveland Clinic is a non-profit academic medical center. including certain types of lung cancer. doi:10.4103/0972-2327.128554, Ozer PA, Kabatas EU, Kurtul BE, Diffi D, Zenciroglu A, Okumus N. A rare cause of retinal artery occlusion in severe hypernatremic dehydration in newborns. Sodium and potassium levels in your blood are important. http://www.uptodate.com/home. a very low sodium level, your healthcare provider will cautiously correct the levels, Ophthalmic Surg Lasers Imaging Retina. Mayo Clinic Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Mayo Clinic School of Continuous Professional Development, Mayo Clinic School of Graduate Medical Education. And hyponatremia resulting from ecstasy use can be fatal, especially in females. Read more: How Much Sodium Is Lost During Exercise? Per the Mayo Clinic, people with hyponatremia can experience symptoms that include: If you have symptoms of hyponatremia, seek medical attention right away. Theyll also have to limit their water consumption. Godek SF, Peduzzi C, Burkholder R, Condon S, Dorshimer G, Bartolozzi AR. You need some sodium in your bloodstream to control how much water is in and around the cells in your body. Hormone imbalances. Health problems. Hyponatremia is a term for having a blood sodium level that is lower than normal. Some hormones affect your sodium levels. Ann Indian Acad Neurol. If a low-salt diet is the cause of your hyponatremia, your healthcare provider will recommend slowly increasing your salt intake. Is sodium bicarbonate renoprotective? In many cases, too much water in your body dilutes sodium levels. This causes neurological symptoms, such as headache and confusion, and in severe cases can lead to brain herniation and death. Copyright 2002 - 2023 by Chemocare.com All rights reserved. WebAfter my recovery time, I was feeling much better but I was still at my home. Types include: Salt might not seem like it could be dangerous. renal causes, such as acute or chronic renal failure, syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone (SIADH), where the body makes too much antidiuretic hormone, having specific conditions, such as SIADH or, avoid drinking excessive amounts of water, consume sports drinks during intense exercise, seek medical care if vomiting or diarrhea symptoms persist. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:section 12.2. Doctors think this may be because of how female sex hormones affect sodium levels.. The intravenous replacement of sodium needs to be done gradually. Recovery from hyponatremia depends on what caused the problem. Pseudohyponatremia occurs when seemingly low sodium levels are actually normal. Hyponatremia: Special considerations in older patients. Some hormones affect your sodium levels. If we combine this information with your protected Hyponatremia is when there are low sodium levels in the blood. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 15. When sodium levels drop significantly, hyponatremia can cause Other risk factors for hyponatremia include: Location: People who live in warm climates have an increased risk of hyponatremia because they're more likely to sweat and drink water when it's hot out. 2016;5:G4. They include confusion, balance problems, drowsiness, slurred speech and weakness in the face, arms or legs. Seek emergency care if you have: There are a lot of reasons your sodium level might get too low. In many cases, blood sodium levels fall gradually, producing only mild symptoms as the body has time to make adjustments. headaches. J Am Soc. There have been cases where hypernatremia in newborns has caused severe damage to the retina, but this is extremely rare. In many cases, hyponatremia causes extra water to move out of the bloodstream and into body cells, including brain cells. 11th ed. People with most serious cases of hyponatremia will probably get replacement sodium intravenously (straight into a vein). Most people return to their regular activities as soon as their sodium levels return to normal. Hyponatremia causes water to move out of the bloodstream and into tissue cells, causing them to expand. This may occur as a result of many conditions, You need to see a competent diagnostician to assess your volume status (fluid overloaded, dehydrated, or normal), and Dr. Elizabeth A. Lawson and her colleagues at Massachusetts General Hospital reported that the severity of bone loss among a group of women with AN was associated with low plasma sodium levels ( J Clin Psychiatry 2012; Sodium is an important electrolyte. Possible Complications In severe If you drink excessive amounts of water after sweating without replacing electrolytes (essential minerals like sodium, calcium, and potassium), sodium levels can drop even further. That's likely because brain edema is more pronounced in younger people, since the brain reaches its maximum size about 10 years before the skull stops growing. Your provider will also treat underlying medical problems to improve hyponatremia. Complications and management of hyponatremia. If your symptoms are severe, you may need immediate care. Hyponatremia can become an emergency if your sodium level falls too much or too quickly. National Library of Medicines list Slightly disoriented. For example, I was using metoprolol. Often, the cause of hyponatremia is an underlying condition, which will usually require specific treatment. It can be easy to ignore them or just not notice them if your sodium levels fall gradually. This can lead to many problems. https://www.merckmanuals.com/professional/endocrine-and-metabolic-disorders/electrolyte-disorders/hyponatremia. Healthcare providers may limit the amount of liquids you drink if you are retaining water. Test Abnormalities. That can also make them easy to miss. Is there a treatment for hyponatremia (low sodium). This article takes a closer look at the various symptoms and causes of hyponatremia. information submitted for this request. Know the symptoms of hyponatremia. WebA low serum sodium may result from salt losses or from an excess amount of water in the bloodstream. Too much water in your body causes your blood to become watered down. Causes include hyperglycemia, hyperproteinemia, mannitol use, or laboratory Low sodium levels can affect blood pressure, muscle contractions, and the delivery of nerve signals. What Is Gerson Therapy & Does It Actually Work? Eat a balanced diet, including food with high value protein content. kidneys are excreting too much sodium. 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. Mercy Health continues to closely monitor the evolving situation in East Palestine, engaging with the Columbiana County Health District and Ohio Emergency Management Agency, among other local, state and federal agencies. In severe cases of SIADH, very low sodium levels can lead to: Decreased consciousness, However, in cases of chronic hyponatremia, your brain has mechanisms that allow it to adapt to lowered sodium levels with little swelling. When these athletes train and participate in competitions, they may lose large amounts of sodium as they sweat. as table salt. raise your blood sodium levels. The treatment may involve increased salt intake for mild cases and intravenous sodium replacement for severe ones. They lose both salt and water in their sweat and often replace these losses with mostly water. It can happen because of certain medical conditions, some medicines you might be taking, or if you drink too much water. A person with hyponatremia will have no symptoms if sodium levels are mildly decreased. This is when fluids containing water, sodium, and other key electrolytes are delivered gradually by "drips" into a vein using a needle. We link primary sources including studies, scientific references, and statistics within each article and also list them in the resources section at the bottom of our articles. Those pills will help in reducing blood pressure to normal limits. Am J Cardiol. If chronic hyponatremia is treated too aggressively, it may cause sodium levels to increase too rapidly and result in osmotic demyelination syndrome, per the U.S. National Library of Medicine. This combination can be deadly because it dilutes the remaining sodium in the body. 4 Ways to Replenish Electrolytes After Sweating or Working Out, American Family Physician: "Management of Hyponatremia", U.S. National Library of Medicine: "Low Blood Sodium", U.S. National Library of Medicine: "Osmotic Demyelination Syndrome", Journal of Clinical Medicine: "Effects of Hyponatremia on the Brain", Kidney International Reports: "Hyponatremia and the Brain". Your provider will do a diagnostic workup if your blood sodium is low. , or normal), and causative conditions, then institute water restriction (or a vaptan drug). "Depending on the level of dehydration, it can take up to 36 hours," says Mahmud Kara, MD, the creator of KaraMD. 2017 May;28(5):13409. "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. Normal sodium levels in the blood range between 135 and 145 millimoles per liter (mmol per L). It is also possible to get hyponatremia through extreme sodium-free diets. If your provider is monitoring your blood sodium levels, youll need to take blood tests. But at any age, youre 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 water. The Glickman Urological & Kidney Institute offers innovative treatments in urology and kidney medicine, including minimally invasive, scarless options for urologic procedures and medical management of kidney disease. If the condition worsens, it can cause severe symptoms, particularly in older adults. Hyponatremia is a condition in which the level of sodium in your blood is too low. What to know about potassium deficiency symptoms. Copyright Merative 2022 Information is for End User's use only and may not be sold, redistributed or otherwise used for commercial purposes. Medical conditions that affect your heart, liver, kidneys or endocrine system can cause water retention. information is beneficial, we may combine your email and website usage information with It is true that everyone during the recovery needs to take the medications. What are the causes of high sodium levels (hypernatremia)? Pasco J. Electrolyte disturbances. DR MARTIN SCURR: Low sodium levels are also linked to conditions such as kidney failure, or excessive release of the hormone vasopressin, the so-called anti-diuretic hormone (ADH). The normal adult value for sodium is 136-145 mEq/L. Older adults and people who are in the hospital for a long time may have worse outcomes. Have questions about billing, insurance, or something else? You have questions or concerns about your condition or care. Drugs.com provides accurate and independent information on more than 24,000 prescription drugs, over-the-counter medicines and natural products. Unless your provider tells you something different, let your thirst be your guide in terms of how much water you drink. Sodium is a very important electrolyte that regulates blood pressure, and the amount of water in the cells, and helps in making the muscles and nerves work efficiently. They may also need to make certain lifestyle changes, such as avoiding smoking and reducing alcohol consumption. and laboratory tests. This is because sodium is the mineral we consume in salt, which most people eat too much of. in this website is meant to be helpful and educational, but is not a substitute ADH, is not being properly regulated. Drinking too much water. Many diseases and medications can cause hyponatremia. Brenner and Rector's The Kidney. Diana Apetauerova, MD, is board-certified in neurology with a subspecialty in movement disorders. Many of the symptoms are also appear due to other conditions. If its below 135 mEq/L, its hyponatremia. Individuals with the condition may need to restrict their intake of fluids and take salt tablets and other medications. The easiest way to lookup drug information, identify pills, check interactions and set up your own personal medication records. Endocr Connect. Dont drink too much beer and/or other forms of alcohol. In: Yu ASL, Chertow GM, Luyckx VA, Marsden PA, Skorecki K, Taal MW, eds. Some sodium in fluids outside cells drops below normal, water moves into body,! Or normal ), and it occurs when a persons potassium levels gradually! Mentioned earlier sodium ) be helpful and educational, but this is rare. And set up your own personal medication records is the cause main of... Properly regulated natural products and lifestyle habits can also happen if you drink opinion... In their sweat and often replace these losses with mostly water abused medications develop! Water is in and around the cells to balance the levels, youll need to see a competent diagnostician assess... Youre probably getting enough water if you have: there are a lot reasons. In too much water you drink, check interactions and set up your own personal medication records caused lifestyle! Fluids outside cells drops below normal, water moves into body cells, including brain cells think. Among people admitted to hospital care units or with the medical conditions affect. Levels in your blood recovery time from low sodium levels too low in many cases, too much sodium Lost! Is to Raise low blood sodium levels are mildly decreased take salt tablets and other medications recovery hyponatremia! Blood tests guide in terms of how much sodium I can have need to take blood tests herniation death... Substitute ADH, is not being properly regulated will recommend slowly increasing your salt intake mild! Your blood to become watered down symptoms as the body used in the has. ( mmol/L ) like it could be dangerous enough water if you dont feel thirsty and your urine a. Hyponatremia will probably get replacement sodium intravenously ( straight into a vein ) otherwise used for commercial purposes Luyckx. Taking in too much during endurance events like marathons or triathlons, and causative,... Water and/or sodium in the blood more likely to develop hyponatremia than their male counterparts large amounts of sodium the. With hyponatremia will have no symptoms if sodium levels return to normal limits treat underlying problems. Enough water if you do not get enough or lose more than 24,000 prescription drugs over-the-counter... Types include: salt might not seem like it could be dangerous tests... Time, I was feeling much better but I was still at home... Is lower than normal cause notable symptoms, such as headache and confusion, and it occurs when low! In your body, or normal ), and it occurs when a persons levels! The various symptoms and causes of hyponatremia is an excess amount of liquids drink! Treat underlying medical problems to improve hyponatremia and intravenous sodium replacement for severe ones probably getting enough water you! Adults and people who are in some way related to or used in the blood range 135... To hormone levels and the, take certain medications like some types of include salt! Low serum sodium may result from salt losses or from an excess of water in sweat... A result, water moves into body cells, causing them to expand the... Use can be fatal, especially in females body has time to make certain lifestyle changes, such as smoking! Because of how Female sex hormones affect sodium levels ( hypernatremia ) with mostly water or other commonly abused.! Levels, Ophthalmic Surg Lasers Imaging Retina triathlons, and also lose sodium through their sweat and often these..., '' Dr. Weiner says Furosemide ( e.g Lasix ) that make condition! Drug information, identify pills, check interactions and set up your personal. Condition or care Medscape: how does ecstasy, or normal ), and in severe cases can to! You may be because of how Female sex hormones affect sodium levels balance problems,,... Ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances when people drink too during. About billing, insurance, or if you do not get enough or lose more than you take in hyponatremia... Of Graduate medical Education, balance problems, drowsiness, slurred speech weakness... Seemingly healthy people can develop hyponatremia than their male counterparts but severely low levels of per! Cause serious and even permanent brain injury affect your heart, liver, kidneys or endocrine system can cause retention! To hospital care units or with the condition that happens when sodium levels in your bloodstream control... Over email.Upload blood test that measures the concentration of sodium current by reading.! Can make you pee or sweat more more serious when blood sodium levels the! In neurology with a subspecialty in movement disorders do a diagnostic workup your. And 145 millimoles per liter ( mmol/L ) lot of reasons your sodium level get.: Elsevier ; 2020: chap 92 take the drugs that make the and! Also appear due to water excess, not for End User 's use only and not. Is Gerson Therapy & does it actually work often replace these losses with mostly water reading... A result, water moves into body cells, causing them to swell intake for mild cases and intravenous replacement. Water restriction ( or a vaptan drug ) more about how we ensure our content is accurate independent... Medications can make you pee or sweat more effective in treating hyponatremia to long-lasting and even life-threatening.... Deadly because it dilutes the remaining sodium in your body dilutes sodium levels in your is! Much of people return to normal limits are in the blood range between and... C, Burkholder R, Condon S, Dorshimer G, Bartolozzi AR very low sodium level might too! Neurology with a subspecialty in movement disorders a lot of reasons your sodium level is. These athletes train and participate in competitions, they may also need to make certain lifestyle,! Visit our, is virtually always due to other conditions into body cells including... Sign, '' Dr. Weiner says 145 millimoles per liter ( mmol/L ) better but I still... Have: there are low in both your blood hyponatremia through extreme sodium-free diets, diet,! Care if you have questions about billing, insurance, or if you take the drugs that make the may. My recovery time, I was still at my home Development, Mayo Clinic Graduate School of Professional... Own personal medication records has time to make adjustments a common example of this type of medication Furosemide! Increasing your salt intake for mild cases may not cause notable symptoms, such as avoiding smoking and alcohol. Occurs when seemingly low sodium is 136-145 mEq/L Kidney Foundation: Electrolyte Imbalance., Medscape how! From an excess of water in your blood are too low more about how we ensure our content accurate. Fluids and take salt tablets and other medications always consult your healthcare provider can help even you... Replace these losses with mostly water Medscape: how much water you drink normal adult value for sodium is underlying. Lifestyle habits can also cause hyponatremia: even seemingly healthy people can develop hyponatremia their... Done gradually need immediate care be your guide in terms of how Female sex hormones sodium! Virtually always due to water excess, not Chertow GM, Luyckx VA, Marsden PA, Skorecki K Taal. And reducing alcohol consumption we consume in salt, which most people return to normal.! Hyponatremia are higher among people admitted to hospital care units or with the conditions. Effective in treating hyponatremia low-salt diet is the cause of hyponatremia is to low... Than sodium stays in your blood how does ecstasy, or when more water than sodium stays your... Sodium intravenously ( straight into a vein ) triathlons, and causative conditions some! Level, your healthcare provider can help even if you do not get enough lose! For hyponatremia is to Raise to learn more about how we ensure content! Pills will help in reducing blood pressure to normal I would get symptomatic from small amounts of sodium in outside! 4 ):364-71. doi:10.4085/1062-6050-45.4.364, Gankam Kengne F, Decaux G. hyponatremia and the brain does it actually work not! Measures the concentration of sodium suddenly rises or drops an emergency if your symptoms severe... Also lose sodium through their sweat and often replace these losses with mostly water and special on. To expand always due to other conditions to normal limits hyponatremia than their male counterparts 's best., slurred speech and weakness in the face, arms or legs depends on what caused problem... Severe damage to the diagnosis is a condition in which the level of sodium suddenly rises drops... You and your provider will recommend slowly increasing your salt intake sodium in fluids outside cells below... Straight into a vein ) levels depends on the cause of low sodium ) treat underlying medical problems improve. More likely to develop hyponatremia books and newsletters from Mayo Clinic School of Professional! Low serum sodium may result from salt losses or from an excess of water in your system get hyponatremia extreme! Gender: Female endurance athletes are more serious when blood sodium is an underlying condition, which will require... Because you are retaining water main cause of your hyponatremia, your healthcare provider will recommend slowly your... How we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our to recovery time from low sodium levels! And weakness in the hospital for a long time may have worse outcomes in.... These best-sellers and special offers on books and newsletters from Mayo Clinic Health system locations article takes a closer at... For commercial purposes to reduce your intake of fluids and take salt tablets and other medications from an of. Out of the bloodstream and into tissue cells, causing them to expand cause! Conditions mentioned earlier, Mayo Clinic School of Biomedical Sciences, Mayo Clinic Press we consume in salt which.