What is hyponatremia? It is when you don’t have enough sodium in your blood. And when your sodium and water is out of balance. Your sodium level should be around 135 and 145 milliequivalents per liter. The symptom of low sodium is the following below:
What is hyponatremia? iStock-photo credit: VectorMine
- Fatigue
- Low Energy
- Nausea
- Irritability
- Muscle Cramps
- Vomiting
- Headache
Some of the severe symptoms of low sodium is the following
- Seizures
- Coma
- Loss of consciousness
- Severe cases are death.
Causes of hyponatremia
- Severe vomiting
- diarrhea
- taking too many diuretics
- drinking too much water after exercise
- kidney disease,
- liver disease,
- heart problems,
- adrenal gland disorders
- Cushing’s syndrome
Some of the factors that increase your risk for hyponatremia are older age, eating a low sodium diet, diuretic use, older age, antidepressant use, etc.
Blood Test
A blood test is one of the best tests to use to check for sodium levels. If you don’t have symptoms of low sodium levels your doctor can order a basic metabolic panel. If your levels are abnormal then your doctor will order a urine test to check the amount of sodium in your urine.
Finality Of Blood Test
The finality of the test will help to show the cause of low blood sodium. If your blood sodium levels are low but your urine sodium levels are high, then your body is losing too much sodium.
Low sodium levels in both your blood and urine means your body isn’t taking in enough sodium.
Some other alternative tests to check for hyponatremia if your diagnosis is ambiguous are:
- liver function tests
- chest x-ray
- CT scan of the head
One of the best ways to prevent hyponatremia is to make sure that your electrolytes and water levels are balanced. The most important thing is to make sure you are drinking enough water, especially during a rigorous workout, so you are not dehydrated. It is important to try to maintain good hydration throughout most of the day.
The Bottom Line is hyponatremia when you don’t have enough sodium in your blood. And when your sodium and water levels are out of balance. And the best way to determine this is through a blood test.
If you have any interest in trying any of our Ethical Supplement products to help you heighten your immune system or assist you with your fitness, weight loss or health goals. You can get a discount below at this link.
About Author- Obi Obadike
Sharecare Names Top 10 Fittest Cities in America – Sharecare
References
- Rondon H, Badireddy M. Hyponatremia. [Updated 2023 Jun 14]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2024 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK470386/
- National Kidney Foundation- https://www.kidney.org/atoz/content/hyponatremia
- Sonani B, Naganathan S, Al-Dhahir MA. Hypernatremia. [Updated 2023 Aug 24]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2024 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK441960/
