10 Sodium Deficiency Symptoms
Sodium deficiency is also known as hyponatremia. It can be generally defined as a sodium concentration in the blood of less than 135 mmol/l, with levels below 120 mmol/l considered to be severe. Low sodium deficiency occurs in approximately 20% of patients who are admitted into the hospital and 10% of those in an endurance sporting event.
Hyponatremia is categorized according to the body’s fluid status – either low volume, normal volume, or high volume. Sodium deficiencies that occur in low body fluid volumes are usually due to diarrhea, diuretics, excessive sweating, or vomiting. Sodium deficiency in cases of normal fluid volume are most often caused by adrenal insufficiency, hypothyroidism, or drinking too much beer or water. Lastly, high fluid volume hyponatremia occurs when there is liver failure, heart failure, or kidney failure.
The treatment for hyponatremia depends on the underlying cause of the condition and severe sodium deficiencies are also associated with a higher risk of death. Symptoms for hyponatremia can range from mild to severe – let’s look at some of them.
