10 Causes of Muscle Cramps
Cause #2: Hyponatremia
Hyponatremia is a term describing low sodium levels in the blood. It can be defined as having a sodium concentration of less than 135 mmol/l. Severe hyponatremia occurs when the levels drop below 120 mmol/l. Symptoms of hyponatremia include headaches, nausea, confusion, decreased ability to think, seizures, poor balance, muscle cramps, and coma.
Hyponatremia can be due to low volume (diuretics, diarrhea, sweating, vomiting), normal volume (adrenal insufficiency, hypothyroidism, syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone secretion), and high volume (hyperglycemia, multiple myeloma). Treatment is to correct the hyponatremia and deal with the underlying cause.
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