The hormones aldosterone (made in the adrenal gland) and anti-diuretic hormone (ADH) or vasopressin (made in the pituitary) adjust the way the kidneys deal with water and sodium to maintain the appropr… 3. Since so many different things can cause hyponatremia, your treatment depends on the cause. Common causes include medications and the syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone (SIADH) secretion. Getting treatment for conditions that contribute to hyponatremia, such as adrenal gland insufficiency, can help prevent low blood sodium. Book: Mayo Clinic Family Health Book, 5th Edition, Newsletter: Mayo Clinic Health Letter — Digital Edition, FREE book offer – Mayo Clinic Health Letter. Your doctor will start by asking about your medical history and doing a physical examination. Sodium concentration is higher in the bloodstream than inside cells. It can happen because of certain medical conditions, some medicines you might be taking, or if you drink too much water. What's the most likely cause of my symptoms? These drinks have, Smart Grocery Shopping When You Have Diabetes, Surprising Things You Didn't Know About Dogs and Cats, Coronavirus in Context: Interviews With Experts, Sign Up to Receive Our Free Coroanvirus Newsletter. If you consume very high amounts of hydrating foods plus water, but … Regulatory mechanisms help control and maintain sodium levels. is there a treatment for hyponatremia (low sodium)? 2. However, because the signs and symptoms of hyponatremia occur in many conditions, it's impossible to diagnose the condition based on a physical exam alone. And a condition called Addison’s disease can affect the hormones that help keep your electrolytes in check. Your doctor will be able to tell you whether your level is too low. Because of the low sodium, the amount of water in your body rises and causes your cells to swell. National Kidney Foundation. A sample of your urine is collected and is sent to a lab for tests. Therefore the medication should be changed to drugs that do not … But at any age, you’re 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 waterÂ. A condition called SIADH (syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone) can make you retain water. Nippoldt TB (expert opinion). Kengne FG, et al. Irritability 5. Kidney International Reports. Have your symptoms been getting any better or worse since they first developed? Symptoms usually appear when your level of sodium suddenly rises or drops. Hyponatremia and the brain. Have your symptoms included weakness, fatigue or lethargy? 1. IV infusion with a sodium solution to slowly raise levels in your blood over a few days Prescription medications to control problems l ike headache s, nausea, or seizures Hyponatremia Complications Sodium is an essential mineral—your body needs it and can't make it—so the only way to get it is through your food or by intravenous (IV) infusion in an emergency situation. There are two reliable ways to know how much water you should have: your thirst and the color of your urine. Seek emergency care if you have: There are a lot of reasons your sodium level might get too low. Learn more about low sodium levels, risk factors, prevention and treatment here.Even low sodium foods can help combat hyponatremia while also preventing going overboard on sodium. WebMD does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Advertising revenue supports our not-for-profit mission. Have your symptoms included any mental changes, such as feeling confused, agitated or depressed? Hyponatremia. Bope ET, et al. Your blood sodium level is normal if it’s 135 to 145 milliequivalents per liter (mEq/L). Always talk with your doctor about the risks of a new medication. Hormone imbalances. These include: Medications. All rights reserved. Vaccine updates, safe care and visitor guidelines, and trusted coronavirus information, Mayo Clinic Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Mayo Clinic School of Continuous Professional Development, Mayo Clinic School of Graduate Medical Education. In an emergency setting, low sodium is most often treated with the introduction of a sodium chloride solution into the bloodstream through intravenous (IV) delivery. If yes, has it gotten progressively worse? Depending on the extent and duration of these signs and symptoms, your doctor may recommend seeking immediate medical care. What are your symptoms and when did they start? To confirm low blood sodium, your doctor will order blood tests and urine tests. Hypervolemic hyponatremia may be caused by congestive heart failure, liver cirrhosis, and renal disease. Treatment of low blood sodium involves intravenous fluid and electrolyte replacement, medications to manage the symptoms of hyponatremia, as well as any treatments for the underlying … Treat associated conditions. If you drink too much water when you do something that’s physically very hard -- like a marathon -- you may be more likely to develop hyponatremia. Dr. Ramin Rafie answered 17 years experience Geriatrics Water restrictions: There are 2 ways of treating this 1- restricting water intake 2- taking … Some are mild, but others can be serious and even life-threatening. In many cases, blood sodium levels fall gradually, producing only mild symptoms as the body has time to make adjustments. In people who use diuretics, which eliminate excess sodium and fluid, reducing the dosage helps keep sodium levels within the normal range. Check out these best-sellers and special offers on books and newsletters from Mayo Clinic. Following a heart-healthy diet made up of high-fiber, low-cholesterol and low-sodium foods will help you maintain or reach a healthy body weight. Ecstasy/molly (MDMA). This can lead to many problems. Diffic… Know the symptoms of hyponatremia. "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. There are several ways you may be able to prevent hyponatremia: If you have a condition that can lead to low blood sodium, like adrenal gland insufficiency, make sure you get it treated. Hyponatremia treatment is aimed at addressing the underlying cause, if possible. For severe or acute hyponatremia, treatment … If you have a medical condition that increases your risk of hyponatremia or you take diuretic medications, be aware of the signs and symptoms of low blood sodium. Since older adults are usually more likely to take certain medications or develop chronic diseases, they’re generally more likely to get hyponatremia. Options include: 1. Have you had nausea, vomiting or diarrhea? Hyponatremia is a low sodium concentration in the blood. Hyponatremia refers to a low concentration of sodium in the blood and occurs when athletes … They may also require drugs to treat … The severity of the symptoms depends on how low the sodium levels are in the bloodstream and how quickly they fall. Some hormones affect your sodium levels. Urine sodium is a test that checks the level of sodium in your urine. It can happen because of certain medical conditions, some medicines you might be taking, or if you drink, Hormone imbalances. Severe sodium deficiency requires treatment with … If you have moderate, chronic hyponatremia due to your diet, diuretics or drinking too much water, your doctor may recommend temporarily cutting back on fluids. Accessed April 6, 2018. Hyponatremia (low blood sodium) is a condition that means you don’t have enough sodium in your blood. Additional treatment … Hyponatremia can be classified according to the volume status of the patient as hypovolemic, hypervolemic, or euvolemic. If a person has a mild case of hyponatremia, there may not be any significant signs or symptoms associated with it, or the symptoms may initially be subtle. Some hormones affect your sodium levels. The treatment for critically low sodium levels usually includes reducing the fluid intake, treating the symptoms themselves, and adjusting the dosage of diuretics or any other medications that might be causing the symptoms in the first place. It can dilute the amount of sodium in your blood. Headaches 2. If your symptoms are severe, you may need immediate care. https://www.merckmanuals.com/professional/endocrine-and-metabolic-disorders/electrolyte-disorders/hyponatremia. 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