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Hyponatraemia is a state of low sodium in the blood which, if left untreated, can be fatal. Early symptoms of hyponatremia are reported when the sodium level is 125-130 mmol / l, and later symptoms when it drops to approx. 115-120 mmol / l.
Causes and symptoms of hyponatremia
Sodium is one of the most important elements for health. Responsible, inter alia, for the proper functioning of the muscular and nervous system, the correct water management of the body, the transport of carbohydrates and amino acids to the tissues, as well as the osmotic and acid-base balance.
Sodium is lost with water, which is why people dehydrated as a result of diarrhea, burns, pancreatitis, vomiting, intense sports, overuse of diuretics and excessive sweating are particularly vulnerable to this condition. The causes of hyponatremia can also be found in diseases such as kidney, hypothyroidism and adrenal cortex, liver cirrhosis, and heart failure. A low sodium diet can rarely contribute.
Hyponatraemia can be caused not only by dehydration, but also by hypotonic fluid overload in the body, also known as water poisoning. It most often affects athletes who consume fluids poor in electrolytes, although it also occurs in people with impaired renal water excretion, suffering from excessive vasopressin secretion, thymoma, duodenal and pancreatic cancer. There are also drug-induced hyponatremia caused by taking certain pharmaceuticals, e.g. cyclophosphamide, carbamazepine, fluoxetine, serotonin reuptake inhibitors, and others.
When the sodium level is 135–130 mmol / L, this is referred to as mild, asymptomatic hyponatraemia. Early symptoms, with sodium levels between 125 and 130 mmol / l, are characterized by nausea, irritability, weakness and vomiting, and severe symptoms below 125 mmol / l are characterized by vomiting, confusion, confusion, headaches, convulsions, and even coma.
Long-term sodium deficiency can lead to respiratory distress, brain edema, and death.
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Diagnosis, treatment and prevention of hyponatremia
The sodium level allows you to determine the blood and urine tests. Treatment of hyponatremia consists in supplementing sodium deficiency, but it must not be carried out too quickly – it may result in middle bridge myelinolysis, which may lead to disturbances of consciousness, gait and even the occlusion syndrome. The longer the condition lasted, the slower sodium replenishment should be. Initially, the doctor advises the patient to drink less fluids. The patient is given sodium chloride orally or intravenously.
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An appropriate diet, monitoring the level of sodium in the blood, not underestimating the disturbing symptoms of the body, supplementing the elements in situations conducive to dehydration, e.g. in the course of diarrhea, frequent and intensive sports or strong heat can prevent hyponatremia. For this purpose, for example, drinks containing electrolytes can be used.
| Name of the disease / condition | Hyponatremia |
| Introduction (e.g. description of the disease) | Hyponatraemia is a state of low sodium in the blood which, if left untreated, can be fatal. Early symptoms of hyponatremia are reported when the sodium level is 125130 115120mmol / l, and later symptoms when the sodium level drops to approx. XNUMX XNUMXmmol / l. |
| Hyponatremia – symptoms | When the sodium level is 135-130mmol / L, it is referred to as mild, asymptomatic hyponatremia. Early symptoms, with sodium levels between 125 and 130 mmol / L, are characterized by nausea, weakness and vomiting, and severe symptoms, below 125 mmol / L, by vomiting, disorientation and awareness, headaches, convulsions and even coma. Long-term sodium deficiency can lead to respiratory distress, brain edema, and death. |
| Hyponatremia – causes | Dehydration, excessive sweating, overuse of diuretics, diseases (kidney, hypothyroidism and adrenal cortex, cirrhosis, heart failure), rarely low-sodium diet, water intoxication, renal water excretion disorders, excessive vasopressin secretion, duodenal and pancreatic cancer , thymoma, use of certain medications. |
| Hyponatremia – treatment | Treatment of hyponatraemia is to correct sodium deficiency |
| Hyponatremia – prognosis | Curable if treatment is started soon enough. In its most severe form, it can lead to death. |
| Hyponatremia – prevention | An appropriate diet, monitoring the level of sodium in the blood, not underestimating the disturbing symptoms of the body, supplementing the elements in situations conducive to dehydration, e.g. in strong heat, in the course of diarrhea, during frequent and intensive sports, can prevent hyponatremia. For this purpose, for example, drinks containing electrolytes can be used. |
| Other important (if any) | x |
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