What makes sodium levels low

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The information contained in this website is meant to be helpful and educational, but is not a substitute for medical advice. For information about the 4th Angel Mentoring Program visit www. Toggle navigation. Spanish About Chemocare. Hyponatremia Low Sodium. Water intoxication water replacement without replacement of blood electrolytes.

Sodium is an electrolyte that plays an essential role in regulating the levels of water and other substances in the body. Health issues arising from extremely low sodium levels may be fatal. Hyponatremia is the most common electrolyte disorder that doctors encounter. Research suggests that approximately 1. It is more prevalent among people with cancer.

If the condition worsens, it can cause severe symptoms, particularly in older adults. Severe symptoms may include:. Other medical conditions and factors that can cause sodium levels to fall include :. People who are at risk of hyponatremia or develop symptoms should see their doctor right away as they may need urgent medical treatment. People with symptoms including vomiting, seizures, or loss of consciousness require immediate attention.

They should call an ambulance or go to the nearest emergency department. To diagnose low sodium levels, a doctor will take a medical history, perform a physical examination, and order a blood test.

If the blood test shows low sodium levels, the doctor will typically need to perform additional tests to determine the cause. Those who have mild to moderate hyponatremia resulting from lifestyle factors or medication may be able to increase sodium to normal levels by:. Individuals with severe symptoms often require hospitalization and an intravenous IV sodium treatment to get their sodium levels back to normal.

They may also require drugs to treat seizures or other hyponatremia symptoms. Where the underlying cause of hyponatremia is a medical condition or hormonal disorder, people will usually need further treatment.

For example, people with liver, kidney, or heart problems may receive medications or surgery. Kidney problems often require dialysis, and people with liver or heart conditions may need a transplant. Severe abdominal pain that comes on quickly, however, almost always indicates a significant problem.

The pain may be the only sign of the need for surgery Syndrome of inappropriate secretion of antidiuretic hormone Syndrome of Inappropriate Secretion of Antidiuretic Hormone SIADH The syndrome of inappropriate secretion of antidiuretic hormone develops when too much antidiuretic hormone vasopressin is released by the pituitary gland under certain inappropriate conditions The brain is particularly sensitive to changes in the sodium level in blood.

Therefore, symptoms of brain dysfunction, such as sluggishness lethargy and confusion, occur first. If the sodium level in blood falls quickly, symptoms tend to develop rapidly and be more severe. Older people are more likely to have severe symptoms. As hyponatremia becomes more severe, muscle twitching and seizures may occur.

People may become unresponsive, aroused only by vigorous stimulation stupor , and eventually cannot be aroused coma. Death may follow. Hyponatremia is diagnosed by measuring the sodium level in blood. Determining the cause is more complex. Blood and urine tests are done to evaluate the amount of fluid in the body, the concentration of blood, and content of urine. Mild hyponatremia can be treated by restricting fluid intake to less than 1 quart about 1 liter per day.

If a diuretic or other drug is the cause, the dose is reduced or the drug is stopped. If the cause is a disorder, it is treated. Occasionally, people are given a sodium solution intravenously, a diuretic to increase excretion of fluid, or both, usually slowly, over several days.

These treatments can correct the sodium level. Some people, especially those with the syndrome of inappropriate secretion of antidiuretic hormone Syndrome of Inappropriate Secretion of Antidiuretic Hormone SIADH The syndrome of inappropriate secretion of antidiuretic hormone develops when too much antidiuretic hormone vasopressin is released by the pituitary gland under certain inappropriate conditions Fluid restriction alone is often not enough to prevent recurrence of hyponatremia.

Salt tablets can be used in people with mild to moderate chronic hyponatremia. Depending on the cause of hyponatremia and the amount of fluid in the person' body, several drugs are available for treatment. Severe hyponatremia is an emergency. To treat it, doctors slowly increase the level of sodium in the blood with intravenous fluids and sometimes with a diuretic.

Newer drugs, called vaptans, are sometimes needed. Increasing the sodium level too rapidly can result in severe and often permanent brain damage. Merck and Co. From developing new therapies that treat and prevent disease to helping people in need, we are committed to improving health and well-being around the world. The Manual was first published in as a service to the community.