what causes low sodium

Conditions that cause low sodium levels in the blood usually also cause decreased levels of chloride, per the U.S. National Library of Medicine. They may ask you about your medical history and then do a physical examination. In acute hyponatremia, sodium levels drop rapidly — resulting in potentially dangerous effects, such as rapid brain swelling, which can result in a coma and death. Sodium is an element, or an electrolyte, that is found in the blood. This "watering down" effect makes the amount of sodium seem low. Very high cholesterol levels. Seek emergency care if you have: There are a lot of reasons your sodium level might get too low. The actual blood sodium level is normal. WebMD does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. 2. Low sodium can result from lifestyle factors and medical conditions. Hyponatremia refers to a low level of sodium in the blood. In: Conn's Current Therapy 2017. You’re probably getting enough water if you don’t feel thirsty and your urine is a pale yellow color. Treatment. When serum sodium is high (usually because total body water is low), ADH is released, causing the kidneys to conserve water and therefore a concentrated urine is excreted. This situation arises if there is too much fluid in the body, as the fluid leads to dilution of sodium, or if the sodium levels are too low in the body. How Long Does Coronavirus Live On Surfaces? It is a dangerous condition that causes fluid retention in the brain leading to coma or even death. Side Effects of Low Potassium & Low Sodium. Check out these best-sellers and special offers on books and newsletters from Mayo Clinic. FREE book offer – Mayo Clinic Health Letter. The causes of hyponatremia are typically classified by a person's body fluid status into low volume, normal volume, or high volume. Causes of low sodium in the blood Sodium is an essential electrolyte and here are some possible reasons including lifestyle factors behind the decrease in sodium level in the body: A low sodium level in the blood is a potentially life-threatening condition. Hyponatremia signs and symptoms may include: Seek emergency care for anyone who develops severe signs and symptoms of hyponatremia, such as nausea and vomiting, confusion, seizures, or lost consciousness. Ecstasy/molly (MDMA). Causes of Hyponatremia: In addition, hypochloremia can result from metabolic alkalosis or chronic respiratory acidosis, conditions that affect the acidity level of the blood, Dr. Weiner says.Hypochloremia occurs when there’s a low level of chloride in your body. National Kidney Foundation. But they’ll need to see your test results to make sure you have hyponatremia. If cancer is the cause of the condition, then radiation, chemotherapy, or surgery to remove the tumor may correct the sodium imbalance. The normal adult value for sodium is 136-145 mEq/L. A low sodium level in your blood may be caused by too much water or fluid in the body. Hyponatremia occurs when the concentration of sodium in your blood is abnormally low. Call your doctor if you know you are at risk of hyponatremia and are experiencing nausea, headaches, cramping or weakness. Low blood sodium in older adults: A concern? The cause of low sodium must be diagnosed and treated. Treatments may include: Fluids through a vein (IV) Medicines to relieve symptoms The condition in which your blood level of sodium is abnormally low is called hyponatremia. Hyponatremia occurs when the concentration of sodium in your blood is abnormally low. Water pills (diuretics) and some antidepressants and pain medications can make you pee or sweat more. If your thyroid hormone is too low, it can also affect your sodium level. © 2005 - 2020 WebMD LLC. What causes hyponatremia? How low is too low? Low blood sodium can also be due to losing sodium from the body or losing both sodium and fluid from the body. Low blood sodium (hyponatremia) means abnormally low amount of sodium in your blood. That can affect your sodium level. Our adrenal glands produce hormones to help balance the water, sodium, and potassium levels. Other causes: pain, following surgery, stress, endurance exercise and marathon running. Learn who is at risk for low sodium levels and the dangers of this condition. Cancers such as small cell lung carcinoma, pancreatic cancer, lymphoma and certain brain tumors can cause a condition known as the syndrome of inappropriate anti-diuretic hormone (SIADH) secretion. "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. Indeed, the presence of low sodium levels in the blood in relation to high water levels, a condition known as hyponatremia, … 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. Low sodium blood levels may be caused by excess fluid in the body relative to a normal amount of sodium, or it may be due to a loss of sodium and body fluid caused by chronic conditions like kidney failure or congestive heart failure (CHF). Symptoms usually appear when your level of sodium suddenly rises or drops. Other causes: pain, following surgery, stress, endurance exercise and marathon running. Other treatments depend on the specific type of hyponatremia. Hyponatremia and hypernatremia. https://www.healthcheckup.com/general/dangerously-low-sodium-levels Sodium is an electrolyte, and it helps regulate the amount of water that's in and around your cells. Low sodium levels may be a sign of dehydration or organ failure. it is the most common disorder of electrolytes encountered in clinical practice: occurs in up to 15% to 30% of both acutely and chronically hospitalised patients Bouts of chronic, severe diarrhea or vomiting can deplete your body of fluids and sodium.Â. A diet that is low in sodium Drinking too much water or receiving too much fluid through an IV Intense and prolonged exercise that causes excessive sweating Medical conditions, such as Addison disease, kidney disease, congestive heart failure, liver cirrhosis, or cancer Maintaining proper sodium levels in your blood is critical to health. Low blood sodium (hyponatremia) means abnormally low amount of sodium in your blood. If it’s below 135 mEq/L, it’s hyponatremia. 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. There are two reliable ways to know how much water you should have: your thirst and the color of your urine. All rights reserved. The cause of hyponatremia or hypochloremia determines the treatment. Since so many different things can cause hyponatremia, your treatment depends on the cause. Some are mild, but others can be serious and even life-threatening. Water and sodium levels are closely related regulated together. Learn who is at risk for low sodium levels and the dangers of this condition. But if you’re not working out really hard or for a long period of time, you might not need them. Sodium is an electrolyte, a family of minerals that get their name from their ability to conduct electrical charges. Hyponatremia. Low sodium levels in both your blood and … Causes . A low sodium level in your blood may be caused by too much water or fluid in the body. If your doctor thinks you drink too much water, you may need to cut back. Low sodium levels are often seen among the elderly, especially within those who are living in long-term facilities or staying at the hospital for any health-related reason. Sodium is dissolved in the body’s fluids like the blood and tissue fluid. 7th ed. A low sodium level in the blood may result from excess water or fluid in the body, diluting the normal amount of sodium so that the concentration appears low. Sodium deficiencies that occur in low body fluid volumes are usually due to diarrhea, diuretics, excessive sweating, or vomiting. When serum sodium is high (usually because total body water is low), ADH is released, causing the kidneys to conserve water and therefore a concentrated urine is excreted. This content does not have an Arabic version. Many possible conditions and lifestyle factors can lead to hyponatremia, including: The following factors may increase your risk of hyponatremia: In chronic hyponatremia, sodium levels drop gradually over 48 hours or longer — and symptoms and complications are typically more moderate. Regulatory mechanisms help control and maintain sodium levels. Premenopausal women appear to be at the greatest risk of hyponatremia-related brain damage. The results of this test will help your doctor determine the cause of your low blood sodium: If your blood sodium levels are low but your urine sodium levels are high, your body is losing too much sodium. Hyponatremia can be the result of illnesses and medications. Abnormally low sodium could also be a sign of Addison’s disease, a condition that happens when your adrenal glands on top of your kidneys become damaged, minimizing certain hormones in your body. 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.”. Low sodium levels can occur in patients whose cancers produce ADH-like hormones, from other cancer complications and different treatment side effects. When this happens, your body's water levels rise, and your cells begin to swell. In these cases the result for the blood sodium will be low but that is due to interference from the high cholesterol or sugar levels. This "watering down" effect makes the amount of sodium seem low. Hyponatremia happens when too much sodium leaves your body, or when more water than sodium stays in your blood. Hyponatremia is an electrolyte imbalance and is indicated by a low level of sodium in the blood. Usually the hyponatremia is mild, with blood plasma sodium levels ranging from 130 to 135 mg/dl, but in about 10% of all hospitalizations low sodium levels are severe, below 130 mg/dl. This swelling can cause many health problems, from mild to life-threatening. And a condition called Addison’s 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. Advertising revenue supports our not-for-profit mission. Hyponatremia. Low sodium levels must be treated promptly to avoid life-threatening complications. Very high cholesterol levels. Some hormones affect your sodium levels. Sodium chloride is known commonly as table salt. Treatments may include: Fluids through a vein (IV) Medicines to relieve symptoms It can also happen if you take the drugs that make the condition more likely. In these cases the result for the blood sodium will be low but that is due to interference from the high cholesterol or sugar levels. If your symptoms are severe, you may need immediate care. It is the most common electrolyte disorder in the United States, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. 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. There are several common causes of sodium loss leading to low sodium levels, including diarrhea, excessive sweating, and vomiting.Medications that are prescribed to treat high blood pressure or fluid retention, called diuretics, can lead to low sodium levels. If 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. A single copy of these materials may be reprinted for noncommercial personal use only. Other medical conditions and factors that can cause sodium levels to fall include: diarrhea or vomiting heart failure kidney disease liver disease medication use syndrome of inappropriate ADH secretion (SIADH) The human body needs sodium and potassium to remain healthy. This can lead to many problems. Decreased function of the kidneys, liver or heart; Certain cancers, including lung cancer Consider Adjusting Your Diet. A low sodium level has many causes, including consumption of too many fluids, kidney failure, heart failure, cirrhosis, and use of diuretics. Causes of low sodium in the blood Sodium is an essential electrolyte and here are some possible reasons including lifestyle factors behind the decrease in sodium level in the body: Sodium is an electrolyte, and it helps regulate the amount of water that's in and around your cells.In hyponatremia, one or more factors — ranging from an underlying medical condition to drinking too much water — cause the sodium in your body to become diluted. Hyponatremia (low blood sodium) is a condition that means you don’t have enough sodium in your blood. Sodium is an electrolyte, and it helps regulate the amount of water that's in and around your cells. When the body’s balance of electrolytes becomes unstable, the person suffers from hyponatremia. While low sodium levels are not the only cause of muscular cramps, painful twitches and cramps, especially in the legs, are a common symptom of hyponatremia. It is common among old elders especially those who are hospitalized or living in care facilities for a lone time. This may be related to the effect of women's sex hormones on the body's ability to balance sodium levels. 2018;3:24. There are several hormonal issues that can cause low sodium. Hyponatremia or low sodium blood levels may result from excess fluid in the body relative to a normal amount of sodium, or it may be due to a loss of sodium and body fluid caused by chronic conditions like kidney or congestive heart failure. Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. April 18, 2018. If you take diuretics, your doctor may make a change in your treatment so the sodium in your blood can go back to a normal level. Because the symptoms of hyponatremia can vary so much from person to person, your doctor will probably order blood and urine tests to confirm the diagnosis. Too much water in your body causes your blood to become “watered down.” A good example is people who run in long races or run on hot days. Health conditions affecting our hormone balance can also cause hyponatremia. Hyponatremia is an electrolyte imbalance causing low blood sodium levels. A decrease in blood sodium concentration, also called hyponatremia, can cause seizures, while low potassium levels in the bloodstream, or hypokalemia, can lead to heart problems. Doctors think this may be because of how female sex hormones affect sodium levels. Â. Hyponatremia. In hyponatremia, one or more factors — ranging from an underlying medical condition to drinking too much water — cause the sodium in your body to become diluted. Acute hyponatremia describes the situation in which sodium levels drop quickly, while chronic hyponatremia describes situations with a gradual fall in the sodium concentrations over days or weeks. What causes hyponatremia? Your body loses a certain amount of sodium each day through sweat and when you go to the bathroom. A condition called SIADH (syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone) can make you retain water. The scientific name of common salt is sodium chloride. Hyponatremia (low blood sodium) is a condition that means you don’t have enough sodium in your blood. Nippoldt TB (expert opinion). Causes of Low Sodium in the Elderly. Hyponatremia is an electrolyte imbalance causing low blood sodium levels. This may lead to type 2 diabetes and other serious diseases. Some medications, such as antidepressants, pain relievers and water pills may also cause low sodium … Indeed, the presence of low sodium levels in the blood in relation to high water levels, a condition known as hyponatremia, … It is generally defined as a sodium concentration of less than 135 mmol/L (135 mEq/L), with severe hyponatremia being below 120 mEq/L. Drinking too much water. The reason for that is because a lot of the times, we see the risk factors and causes that we mentioned earlier among the elderly. For example, a high blood sugar will make a sodium blood test appear low, even though the true concentration is normal. Mayo Clinic is a not-for-profit organization. Low sodium in the body, also known as hyponatremia, is caused by hormonal changes; dehydration; heart, kidney and liver problems; or chronic, severe diarrhea or vomiting, according to Mayo Clinic. Symptoms can be absent, mild or severe. Excessive diarrhea or vomiting can lead to … Sodium deficiency in cases of normal fluid volume are most often caused by adrenal insufficiency, hypothyroidism, or drinking too much beer or water. Some hormones affect your sodium levels. If you know you are at risk of hyponatremia and start seeing symptoms, call your doctor. Sodium deficiency in cases of normal fluid volume are most often caused by adrenal insufficiency, hypothyroidism, or drinking too much beer or water. Doctor's Notes on Hyponatremia (Low Sodium) Hyponatremia is the term that refers to an abnormally low level of sodium in the bloodstream. If your hyponatremia came on suddenly and it’s severe, you’ll need emergency treatment to boost your sodium level and monitoring to make sure that it happens safely. There are several common causes of sodium loss leading to low sodium levels, including diarrhea, excessive sweating, and vomiting. The following measures may help you prevent hyponatremia: Mayo Clinic does not endorse companies or products. Sodium is an electrolyte, a family of minerals that get their name from their ability to conduct electrical charges. The causes of low sodium levels include drinking too much water; disorders of the heart, liver or kidney; and certain medications such as diuretics, according to the Mayo Clinic. Much less frequently, hyponatremia is due to significant sodium loss from your body. Sign Up to Receive Our Free Coroanvirus Newsletter. Sodium plays a key role in your body. Bope ET, et al. Hyponatremia occurs when the concentration of sodium in your blood is abnormally low. 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, Book: Mayo Clinic Family Health Book, 5th Edition, Newsletter: Mayo Clinic Health Letter — Digital Edition. Low serum sodium, or hyponatremia, is the term used to describe sodium levels in the blood lower than 135 mmol/L on a basic metabolic panel. It is a dangerous condition that causes fluid retention in the brain leading to coma or even death. Hyponatremia occurs when the concentration of sodium in your blood is abnormally low. Any use of this site constitutes your agreement to the Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy linked below. Hyponatremia is the term used to describe low sodium levels in the bloodstream (hypo=low + natr=sodium + emia=blood). Accessed April 6, 2018. It is a dangerous condition that causes fluid retention in the brain leading to coma or even death. Heart failure is when the heart is not able to pump enough … This is called pseudohyponatremia. Sodium is an electrolyte, and it helps regulate the amount of water that's in and around your cells.In hyponatremia, one or more factors — ranging from an underlying medical condition to drinking too much water — cause the sodium in your body to become diluted. This site complies with the HONcode standard for trustworthy health information: verify here. These include: Medications. Falsely low sodium levels. Hyponatremia is a low sodium concentration in the blood. This HealthHearty article will help you understand the causes, symptoms, and treatment of low blood sodium levels. Accessed April 6, 2018. This is controlled along with the water levels in the body fluids by increasing water intake with stimulation of thirst and regulating the water excretion through the urine. Low blood sodium is common in older adults, especially those who are hospitalized or living in long-term care facilities. Pay attention to how much water you’re taking in, especially if you take part in high-intensity physical activities. Low blood sodium can also be due to losing sodium from the body or losing both sodium and fluid from the body. At first, people become sluggish and confused, and if hyponatremia worsens, they may have muscle twitches and seizures and become progressively unresponsive. All rights reserved. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders Elsevier; 2016. https://www.clinicalkey.com. Low functioning adrenal glands and an underactive thyroid will cause sodium levels to drop. You may not have any symptoms if your hyponatremia is very mild. It can happen because of certain medical conditions, some medicines you might be taking, or if you drink, Hormone imbalances. Make a donation. https://www.merckmanuals.com/professional/endocrine-and-metabolic-disorders/electrolyte-disorders/hyponatremia. If you consume very high amounts of hydrating foods plus water, but … It helps regulate blood pressure and is needed for proper muscle and nerve cell functioning.

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