10 Symptoms of Hyponatremia
Hyponatremia, or low blood sodium, occurs when the sodium concentration in the blood drops lower than 135 mmol/l; severe hyponatremia occurs when the sodium concentration is lower than 120 mmol/l. Hyponatremia can occur in three conditions: when the body’s fluid status is low, normal, or high.
Low volume hyponatremia occurs when there is excessive sweating, vomiting, diarrhea, or use of diuretics. Normal volume hyponatremia exists when there is hypothyroidism, adrenal insufficiency, or after drinking too much beer or water. High volume hyponatremia occurs when there is heart failure, kidney failure, or liver failure. Overall, hyponatremia occurs in about 20% of hospitalized patients and 10% of individuals involved in an endurance sporting event.
The treatment for hyponatremia depends on the underlying cause of the condition. Hyponatremia is also associated with a higher risk of death. Symptoms for hyponatremia can range from mild to severe – let’s look at some of them.
