Hyponatremia - Causes, Symptoms, Treatment And Home Remedies

The blood sodium levels become abnormally low in a condition known as hyponatremia. The quantity of water in the cells and surrounding the cells get regulated by an electrolyte called sodium. One of many factors can cause the sodium in the body to get diluted in hyponatremia. The level of water in the body rises when this occurs and the cells start swelling. This can result in quite a few health problems, ranging from moderate to near-fatal. Treatment aims at solving the underlying problem.

Depending on causes, you might simply require to reduce the fluid intake. In other cases, you might require intravenous medicines and fluids. Sodium is of utmost importance in the body. Sodium helps in maintaining regular blood pressure, regulates the fluid balance in the body and supports the functioning of muscles and nerves. The regular sodium levels are somewhere between 135 to 145 mEq/L. When it falls below this range, the problem happens.

The symptoms of hyponatremia include the following:

• Headache
• confusion
• nausea
• vomiting
• fatigue
• loss of energy
• coma
• muscle weakness
• cramps
• restlessness
• irritability
• seizures

These are the conditions and causes which lead to hyponatremia:

• The main cause is the low level of sodium in the body of the person and the level falls below 135 mEq/L.
• The problem in heart kidney and liver: certain diseases and congestive heart failure sometimes affects the kidney and liver very badly that fluid starts to accumulate in your body and this accumulation of fluid decreases the level of sodium.
• Certain medication: some antidepressants and pain medication interfere in the body’s normal hormonal level and also affects the process of the kidney which keeps the level of sodium normal in the body.
• Drinking large amounts of water: drinking water in too much quantity leads to hyponatremia as it can lower the sodium level by increasing the function of the kidney by excreting too much water.

The doctor will ask about the medical history of the patient and will tell to perform some of the physical tests. But most of the time it is impossible to diagnose the symptoms of hyponatremia with an only physical exam. The doctor will recommend urine and blood test to check the sodium level in the body.

Hyponatremia is the condition of abnormally low sodium levels in the blood. It may arise from any underlying health condition or having an excessive amount of water. However, prevention of the condition is quite possible.

Important preventive measures may include the following:

• Treatment of underlying health conditions: Health problems like adrenal gland insufficiency contributes towards hyponatremia. Treating such conditions may help to prevent low sodium levels.
• Education and awareness: One should be aware of the signs and symptoms of low sodium in the blood if he/she is taking diuretics or suffering from any health condition.
• Avoiding excessive consumption of water: One should avoid over-drinking of water or other fluids. Taking care of fluid consumption during high-intensity activities - An athlete should have as much water or fluid as they lose during high-intensity activities.

Summary: Preventive measures of hyponatremia mainly include elimination of the health conditions responsible for it and avoiding over-consumption of water or fluids. One should be aware of fluid consumption, especially during physical activities or exercises.

If hyponatremia is caused due to drinking too much water, drugs or diet then the doctor recommends to lower the level of fluid intake and some medications or drugs will be prescribed to increase the level of sodium in the blood.

If the level of hyponatremia becomes acute or severe then there will be a need for aggressive treatments:

• Medications: If there are signs and symptoms such as headache, fatigue or any other then medications must be taken as prescribed by the doctor.
• Intravenous fluids: Sodium solutions will be recommended in order to raise the sodium level in the blood. The level of sodium is monitored in the body as very fast corrections of sodium are also dangerous.

Moderate to chronic cases of Hyponatremia can be controlled and managed by just eliminating the causative factors. These factors may include restricting consumption of fluids or water, managing the use of diuretic medicines, and basic diet changes. Such cases do not require treatment.

However, acute and severe cases are accompanied by symptoms like nausea, vomiting, confusion, loss of consciousness, headaches, etc. Such cases require urgent medical care and treatment, hence are eligible for the treatment.

Important post-treatment guidelines that need to be followed in the case of Hyponatremia include the following:

• Regular medical check-ups and follow up.
• One should be aware of the signs and symptoms of low sodium in the blood if he/she is taking diuretics or suffering from any health condition.
• One should avoid over-drinking of water or other fluids.
• One should take care of the fluid consumption during high-intensity activities.
• A healthy and well-balanced diet should be taken.

Summary: Post-treatment guidelines are important in the case of Hyponatremia to prevent recurrence or any further complications. Restricting overconsumption of fluids and managing diet and lifestyle are included in this.

The treatment of Hyponatremia mainly involves the intravenous infusion of highly concentrated sodium such as 3 percent hypertonic saline. But, such treatments should be given more cautiously as there may be serious side effects including:

• Central pontine myelinolysis: This is the condition caused when the levels of sodium are corrected too quickly. It involves damage to the parts of the brain stem resulting in a stroke. Hence, it is suggested to correct the sodium level at a recommended rate only which is 8-10 mEq/l and 18 mEq/l over the first and second days respectively.

Summary: The treatment of Hyponatremia should be done cautiously as it may be associated with serious side effects such as Central pontine myelinolysis. It should be done under the supervision of a specialist.

1. Age: Older people are at a greater risk of having hyponatremia, like age-based changes. Old people may also take certain medicines and have higher chances of having chronic diseases that affect the sodium balance in the body.
2. Certain medicines: A lot of medicines such as thiazide diuretics, pain-relieving medication and also certain kinds of antidepressants can increase the risk. In addition to this, Ecstasy has also been closely associated with extreme hyponatremia which can lead to fatalities.
3. Conditions that decrease your body's water excretion. Medical conditions include kidney disease, syndrome of inappropriate anti-diuretic hormone and heart failure may increase your risk.

Moderate and chronic cases of hyponatremia are resolved just by elimination of the causative factors. Restricting the consumption of fluids, managing the use of diuretic medications and certain diet changes are some of the ways to manage such conditions.

On the other hand, severe and acute cases of Hyponatremia involve symptoms like nausea, vomiting, confusion, loss of consciousness, headaches, etc. Such cases require urgent medical care and treatment. Infusion of intravenous fluids and medications are the only ways to control and manage such cases.

Summary: Urgent care and treatment are required in severe and acute cases of hyponatremia which are accompanied by symptoms like nausea, vomiting, loss of consciousness, confusion, headaches, etc. Moderate and chronic cases resolve just by self-care techniques.

Recovery in the case of Hyponatremia mainly involves restoring the sodium levels in the blood. This is done with the intravenous fusion of fluids containing water, sodium, and other electrolytes.

The time taken for the completion of this depends on the severity of the condition. A course of several hours or days may be required to completely restore the body with an appropriate sodium ion level.

Summary: The time taken for the recovery in the case of Hyponatremia mainly depends upon the severity of the condition. A course of several hours or days may be required for restoring sodium ions in the blood.

Drinks which contain sodium can be made at home like ORS, fresh orange juice, or one can also drink coconut water to maintain the sodium level in body and blood.

The treatment of Hyponatremia mainly depends upon the underlying cause. It includes an intravenous infusion of sodium as well as certain medicines to manage the symptoms like nausea and headache.

Thus, the cost of treatment of Hyponatremia is the cumulative sum of the outpatient department consultation fee and the expense related to IV sodium infusion and prescribed medications. It is quite affordable in India.

Summary: The cost of treatment of Hyponatremia includes a total sum of the OPD consultation fee as well as the expenses related to intravenous sodium infusion and prescribed medicines. It is quite affordable.

Hyponatremia is a medical condition associated with abnormally low sodium ion levels in the blood. It may be related to prolonged physical activities, leading to overhydration or excessive consumption of water or fluids.

The condition as a result of this is commonly known as Exercise-associated Hyponatremia (EAH). Hence, physical exercises should be avoided during Hyponatremia. According to the clinical practice guidelines, a person should drink to satisfy his/her thirst only so as to prevent overhydration.

Summary: Exercising during Hyponatremia should be avoided as it may lead to overconsumption of water or fluids, further lowering the sodium ion levels in the blood. Hence, it is better to consume only as much water to satisfy the thirst rather than overconsuming it.

Along with the intravenous infusion of sodium ions, certain medications are prescribed in order to manage the symptoms during Hyponatremia. Those symptoms may include headache, nausea, vomiting, seizures, etc. Commonly preferred medicines during such conditions mainly include:

• NSAIDs - Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as Paracetamol, Ibuprofen, etc.
• Anti-epileptic drugs.
• Antiemetic drugs.

Summary: The medicines involved in the treatment of Hyponatremia include NSAIDs, anti-epileptic and antiemetic drugs. These are needed to control and manage symptoms like headache, nausea, vomiting, seizures, etc.

The treatment of Hyponatremia mainly involves the intravenous infusion of sodium electrolytes as well as medications. These methods work on the basis of restoring the lost sodium ions in the blood.

The infusion of intravenous fluids depends upon the severity of the condition. Complete recovery takes place following this, hence results are permanent.

The treatment methods of Hyponatremia involve infusion of intravenous fluids along with certain medications. Alternatives to these methods may include:

• Restricting consumption of fluids.
• Managing the use of diuretic medications.
• Basic diet and lifestyle changes.

If hyponatremia is severe then it can be fatal and can lead a person to coma. But there are treatments and medication through which the underlying cause of the disease can be cured.