What is a low sodium level?
Low sodium level is a condition in which the amount of sodium in the blood is lower than normal. The medical name of this condition is hyponatremia.
Can I query for hyponatremia with two low sodium (Na) values?
Q: When I was trained as a new CDI specialist, I was told that I could query for hyponatremia with two low sodium (NA) values as a clinical indicator as it shows that while it is not necessarily being treated, hyponatremia is being monitored. A recent conversation with a senior CDI specialist on our team, however, made me question this approach.
What is the treatment for low sodium levels?
This helps stabilize sodium levels. For individuals who do not tolerate fluid restriction well, there is a medication available to treat low sodium levels. Taking between 600 and 1,200 mg of demeclocycline can treat the symptoms of hyponatremia. The medication is not recommended for individuals with existing kidney or liver problems.
What happens if your sodium level drops below 135?
Once the sodium level drops, our cells expand from the abundance of water present in the blood. This can cause mild symptoms of nausea and headaches and eventually lead to rapid brain swelling and death. A normal sodium level is between 135 to 145 milliequivalents per liter (mEq/L). Hyponatremia is present when levels drop below 135 mEq/L.
What sodium level is considered critically low?
The definition of a low sodium level is below 135 milliequivalents per liter (meq/l). Severe hyponatremia occurs when levels drop below 125 meq/l. Health issues arising from extremely low sodium levels may be fatal.
What is the medical term for low sodium?
Hyponatremia occurs when the concentration of sodium in your blood is abnormally low. Sodium is an electrolyte, and it helps regulate the amount of water that's in and around your cells.
What do you do if a patient has low sodium?
TreatmentIntravenous fluids. Your doctor may recommend IV sodium solution to slowly raise the sodium levels in your blood. ... Medications. You may take medications to manage the signs and symptoms of hyponatremia, such as headaches, nausea and seizures.
Is low sodium a serious condition?
Low blood sodium is common in older adults, especially those who are hospitalized or living in long-term care facilities. Signs and symptoms of hyponatremia can include altered personality, lethargy and confusion. Severe hyponatremia can cause seizures, coma and even death.
Can a person recover from low sodium levels?
Hyponatremia can result from multiple diseases that often are affecting the lungs, liver or brain, heart problems like congestive heart failure, or medications. Most people recover fully with their doctor's help.
What is a critical sodium level?
In many hospital laboratories 160 mEq/L is chosen as the upper critical value. The evidence of this study suggests that sodium in the range of 155-160 mEq/L is associated with high risk of death and that 155 mEq/L rather than 160 mEq/L might be more suitable as the upper critical level.
Which organ is most affected by hyponatremia?
Hyponatremia occurs when your blood sodium level goes below 135 mEq/L. When the sodium level in your blood is too low, extra water goes into your cells and makes them swell. This swelling can be dangerous especially in the brain, since the brain cannot expand past the skull.
How long does it take to recover from low sodium levels?
If you have severe hyponatremia, you may need sodium to be replaced with intravenous (IV) fluids. 7 The IV fluid will contain water, sodium, and other key electrolytes. The medical team will restore the sodium level over the course of several hours or days, depending on the severity of your condition.
What is the main cause of low sodium?
Certain medical conditions can put people at higher risk of hyponatremia. Some examples of these include: Conditions that can cause the body to hold onto too much fluid, like heart failure or liver cirrhosis. Diarrhea, which can cause your body to lose a lot of electrolytes.
Should I eat more salt if my sodium is low?
Our bodies need a small amount of salt for a variety of functions, such as the working of nerves and muscles. However, there is enough sodium present in all foods that a lack of sodium does not generally cause any problems in these areas. It is rarely necessary to add extra salt to food.
What does low sodium do to the brain?
A rapid, acute drop can lead to temporary brain cell dysfunction, including memory loss, Dr. Messina said. “If it happens over a day or two, you can usually reverse it pretty quickly and get the patient feeling normal.”
What does low sodium indicate?
In hyponatremia, the level of sodium in blood is too low. A low sodium level has many causes, including consumption of too many fluids, kidney failure, heart failure, cirrhosis, and use of diuretics. Symptoms result from brain dysfunction.
What causes low sodium (hyponatremia)?
Hyponatremia, or a low sodium level, is the most common electrolyte problem. Sodium levels in the blood are affected by how much sodium we eat or how much water we drink. However, the body adjusts for variations in our diet in order to maintain normal sodium levels. Below are some of the common causes of hyponatremia.
What are the symptoms of low sodium levels?
The symptoms of hyponatremia are related to the way it causes fluid shifts in the brain. The severity of symptoms depends on both the sodium levels and how fast sodium levels change.
How low is too low?
Hyponatremia is always diagnosed with a blood test, usually a blood electrolyte panel. Your doctor might check your sodium levels routinely if you are on a medication that can cause low sodium. Or it may be discovered on a blood test that is ordered for a different reason.
How do you treat low sodium levels?
The most important treatment for low sodium is treating the underlying cause. Your provider will make sure you are getting the best treatment for your illness while correcting your sodium levels.
The bottom line
Sodium is a vital mineral that plays an important role in many bodily functions. So, when levels get too low, it can cause some problems — particularly with fluid levels, blood pressure, and brain function.
What does it mean when you have low sodium?
Low blood sodium (hyponatremia) occurs when you have an abnormally low amount of sodium in your blood or when you have too much water in your blood. Low blood sodium is common in older adults, especially those who are hospitalized or living in long-term care facilities.
How to treat hyponatremia?
Hyponatremia treatments may include changing a medication that affects your sodium level, treating the underlying disease, changing the amount of water you drink or changing the amount of salt in your diet.
Why is hyponatremia more common in older adults?
Hyponatremia is more common in older adults because they're more likely to take medications or have medical conditions that put them at risk of the disorder. These risk factors include: Drugs that make you urinate more (diuretics) Some types of antidepressants. Carbamazepine, an anti-seizure medication.
What are the causes of hyponatremia?
Hyponatremia is more common in older adults because they're more likely to take medications or have medical conditions that put them at risk of the disorder. These risk factors include: 1 Drugs that make you urinate more (diuretics) 2 Some types of antidepressants 3 Carbamazepine, an anti-seizure medication 4 Underactive thyroid or adrenal glands 5 Decreased function of the kidneys, liver or heart 6 Certain cancers, including lung cancer 7 Certain illnesses, such as pneumonia or urinary tract infections, that can cause dehydration
What does it mean when your sodium is low?
Low sodium in blood is medically referred to as hyponatremia and can lead to serious consequences if left untreated. As we need sodium for proper functioning, it is important to understand what causes low levels ...
What happens when sodium levels drop?
This can cause mild symptoms of nausea and headaches and eventually lead to rapid brain swelling and death. A normal sodium level is between 135 to 145 milliequivalents per liter (mEq/L). Hyponatremia is present when levels drop below 135 mEq/L.
How to increase sodium levels in blood?
How to Increase Sodium Levels. Hyponatremia treatment starts with increasing sodium levels in the blood as determined by the cause. Under a doctor’s care, or as an existing hospital patient, you may receive a prescribed dose of diuretics, a sodium solution through intravenous injection or pill form, for the symptoms.
Why is sodium important?
As we need sodium for proper functioning, it is important to understand what causes low levels and to be aware of hyponatremia symptoms. We need sodium to help maintain blood pressure, regulate fluids, and aid in the function of our nerves and muscles.
How much sodium is in a V8?
An eight-ounce glass of the popular V8 brand may contain up to 500 milligrams of sodium, so be mindful of your daily intake. You can balance sodium levels with a low-sodium vegetable juice if in need of a smaller boost. 2. Maintain Adrenal Glands Production.
What causes sodium to drop?
Our adrenal glands produce hormones to help balance the water, sodium, and potassium levels. Low functioning adrenal glands and an underactive thyroid will cause sodium levels to drop.
How much sodium is in a sports drink?
Not just for athletes, sports drinks can help to replenish sodium levels, especially after a strenuous workout or run. The best sports drinks will have 100 milligrams of sodium, 14 grams of carbohydrates, and 28 milligrams of potassium in an eight-ounce serving.
What are the symptoms of low sodium?
Symptoms of low sodium may include: 2 . Headaches. Nausea and vomiting. Fatigue.
Why is my sodium level low?
Causes. Low sodium can result from lifestyle factors and medical conditions. There are several hormonal issues that can cause low sodium. Lifestyle issues, related to sodium or fluid intake or to excessive sweating can affect sodium levels as well.
What is cerebral salt wasting?
Cerebral Salt Wasting Syndrome (CSWS): This syndrome, caused by brain damage and head trauma, causes sodium loss. 8 This may result in brain swelling, resulting in seizures and loss of consciousness. As the name suggests, cerebral salt wasting is actually caused by the body ridding itself of salt.
What medications can cause low sodium levels?
7 For example, diuretics, angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors, antidepressants, and antipsychotics can cause low sodium.
What causes low sodium levels?
There are a few medical illnesses that can result in low sodium levels, including hormonal issues and brain injuries. Typically, hormonal issues develop slowly, and the sodium level can be corrected gradually before it causes any serious problems.
What happens if you eat too much salt?
Your body needs dietary iodine to make thyroid hormones. When you have low sodium due to dietary restriction, you are likely to have symptoms of hypothyroidism too.
How long does it take for salt to go down?
It can take weeks or months for you to experience the effects of low salt in your diet—and these effects can be corrected by just one day of normal salt intake. However, when sodium levels rapidly decline, which can happen due to certain medical issues, you may experience serious health effects that can worsen rapidly.
What does it mean when your sodium level is low?
When your blood test shows that you have lower levels of sodium, it means you have hyponatremia. Ideally, your sodium level should be between 135 mEq/L and 145 mEq/L. You develop hyponatremia when your sodium level is below 135 mEq/L. Without enough sodium, it is not possible for your body to maintain the balance of water in and around your cells. ...
What causes low sodium?
Here are some of the most common causes: 1. Drinking Too Much Water.
Why is sodium important in life?
Life processes are chemical reactions and sodium helps complete those process es because it is the most positively charged ion in your body's fluids and tissues. Those life processes take place at the cellular level, and without sodium, processes in your muscle and nerve cells may fail to complete. Sodium also affects your body's ability ...
What does adrenal insufficiency do to your body?
Adrenal gland insufficiency can affect the way your adrenal glands produce hormones to maintain a balance of potassium, sodium, and water. You may experience the same because of low levels of thyroid hormone. 6. Other Medical Disorders.
What happens if you have hyponatremia?
In case of a severe or acute hyponatremia, you may develop cerebral edema, in which fluid accumulates in the brain and causes swelling. This buildup of excess water puts pressure on the walls of your skull and leads to swelling, which in turn affects brain function significantly.
Why is it so hard to get rid of sodium in your body?
Congestive heart failure and many other diseases that affect your liver or kidneys may make it difficult for your body to get rid of excess fluid, which lowers the concentration of sodium in your body and causes hyponatremia.
Why is sodium important for blood pressure?
Sodium is vital for proper nerve and muscle function. And it helps regulate your blood pressure.
What are the symptoms of low sodium?
The symptoms of low sodium levels include a headache that gets progressively worse, hallucinations, confusion, fatigue, irritability nausea and vomiting. You may also experience muscle cramps, spasms and weakness. Advertisement.
Why is my sodium level low?
Causes and Symptoms. The most common causes of low sodium levels in healthy individuals are excessive sweating, vomiting and diarrhea. If you take diuretics regularly you are also at risk of developing low sodium levels. Illnesses that may cause hyponatremia include liver cirrhosis, congestive heart failure and kidney disease.
What is the best way to stabilize sodium levels?
Intravenous Fluids. Intravenous fluids in the form of isotonic saline are used to treat more severe cases of low sodium levels. An isotonic saline solution has a similar concentration of saline, or salt, as the concentration of saline in body fluids. This helps stabilize sodium levels.
How to treat hyponatremia?
Restrict Fluid Intake. If you exhibit signs of hyponatremia, the first treatment step is to monitor fluid intake. Individuals should not consume more than 1.5 liters of fluids daily when suffering from hyponatremia. This allows the body to balance sodium levels.
Is low sodium dangerous?
Low sodium levels can be dangerous and require treatment by a professional. Low sodium levels, or hyponatremia, can lead to confusion, a coma or even death. It is the most common electrolyte disorder in the United States, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center.
Low Sodium Levels In The Elderly And Treatment
People with high blood pressure are at a greater risk of developing what is called salt-sensitive hypertension. These people have higher levels of sodium in their blood. This can lead to both short term and long term complications, such as heart disease, stroke, and kidney disease.
What happens if sodium levels are too low in elderly?
A low sodium level in the elderly can cause neurological symptoms. If elderly people’s sodium levels become too low, they will experience neurological symptoms such as headache and confusion. When the body is low on electrolytes like sodium, it will start to break down muscle tissue for energy.
How to Manage Low Sodium Levels in the Elderly
Over time, the natural process of aging will cause a decrease in the amount of sodium in one’s body. This can lead to low sodium levels that can cause a variety of negative effects, such as fatigue and headaches. Many common sources of sodium are high-calorie foods and snacks, so older adults should be mindful when consuming these types of food.
What services does a diabetic need?
Services may include: An initial nutrition and lifestyle assessment. Individual and/or group nutritional therapy services. Help managing the lifestyle factors that affect your diabetes. Follow-up visits to check on your progress in managing your diet.
Does Medicare cover nutrition therapy?
Nutrition therapy services. Medicare Part B (Medical Insurance) may cover medical nutrition therapy (MNT) services and certain related services if you have diabetes or kidney disease, or you’ve had a ki dney transplant in the last 36 months.
What is monitoring without active intervention?
Monitoring without “active intervention” is treatment and can justify a query. Monitoring a significant clinical event can demonstrate the medical decision-making process on the part of the clinical team.
How many indicators should a query be based on?
A: A good general rule of thumb is that queries should be based on at least two indicators, as a query based on one indicator could be looked at as a weak justification for the query (of course, there may be exceptions to this rule). In this case, the two lab values would be just one clinical indicator. Monitoring without “active intervention” is ...
Symptoms of Hyponatremia
Causes
- Low sodium can result from lifestyle factors and medical conditions that affect the balance of water and/or sodium in the body.
Diagnosis
- Hyponatremia is diagnosed with a physical exam, laboratory tests, and a review of your medical history. Central to the diagnosis is a blood test that measures the concentration of sodium in your blood. The levels are measured in milliequivalents per liter (mEq/L) and classified as follow: 1. Normal: 135 to 145 mEq/L 2. Hyponatremia: Under 135 mEq/L 3. Severe hyponatremia: Under 12…
Treatment Options
- The treatment of hyponatremia can be simple at times and challenging at others. The treatment is often based on the slow and careful replacement of sodium in the body, as well as the management of the underlying cause of hyponatremia.
Summary
- Hyponatremia is abnormally low levels of sodium in the blood. Oftentimes a person with hyponatremia will have no symptoms if sodium levels are mildly decreased. When sodium levels drop significantly, hyponatremia can cause headache, fatigue, nausea, vomiting, muscle cramps, and difficulty concentrating. Severe cases can lead to seizures or coma. Hy...
A Word from Verywell
- Hyponatremia has many causes, some of which are more serious than others. If you have symptoms of hyponatremia, it's important to see a doctor. The cause may be due to dietary issues that can be easily resolved, but the symptoms may also be the first sign of a serious medical condition.