How to Increase Sodium Levels in Elderly People –
Adjust or change medications.Cut back on water and fluid consumption.Seek treatment for underlying conditions or diseases.Eat foods that are high in sodium.Increase dietary protein to aid in water excretion.Infusing an intravenous sodium solution.
Hyponatremia is the most common chemical abnormality seen in patients admitted to the hospital. Elderly patients are at a higher risk for the condition and often suffer from chronic low sodium levels. You can lower your risk of hyponatremia by being aware of the symptoms and causes, following your medical treatment plan, and restricting your fluid intake as recommended by your doctor.
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Contents
What is the fastest way to raise your sodium level?
Increase your salt intake – Consuming more salt is the most straightforward way to increase your sodium levels. Salt, also known as sodium chloride, is our diet’s primary sodium source. However, it is essential to note that consuming too much salt can lead to high blood pressure, which can increase the risk of heart disease and stroke.
- Therefore, monitoring your salt intake and staying within the recommended daily limits is crucial.
- Studies recommend consuming no more than 2,300 milligrams of sodium per day, which is approximately one teaspoon of salt.
- However, if you have certain medical conditions, such as hypertension, diabetes, or kidney disease, you may need to limit your salt intake further.
Consult your doctor to determine the appropriate amount of salt for your specific needs.
How do you fix low sodium in elderly?
Low blood sodium, known as hyponatremia, occurs when you have an irregularly low amount of sodium in your blood or when you have too much water in your blood. Low blood sodium is common in older adults, especially those who are hospitalized or have long-term health problems such as heart disease, kidney disease or cancer, among others.
- Symptoms of hyponatremia can include nausea and vomiting, loss of energy and confusion.
- Serious hyponatremia can cause seizures, coma and even death.
- Hyponatremia is more common in older adults because they’re more likely to take medicines or have medical problems that put them at risk of the disorder.
These include:
- Drugs that cause the body to make more urine, called diuretics.
- Some types of antidepressants.
- Carbamazepine, an anti-seizure medication.
- Underactive thyroid or adrenal glands.
- Decreased function of the kidneys, liver or heart.
- Certain cancers, including lung cancer.
- Certain illnesses, such as pneumonia or urinary tract infections, that can cause dehydration.
Hyponatremia treatments may include changing a medicine that affects sodium level, treating an underlying disease, changing the amount of water you drink or changing the amount of salt in your diet.
Should I eat more salt if my sodium is low?
What Causes Hyponatremia? – Having low sodium blood levels can negatively impact your health. Intuitively, it makes sense to think that the best way to prevent this condition would be to eat more salt, but oftentimes, diet has nothing to do with developing hyponatremia. Rather, there are specific health conditions that increase the risk of developing hyponatremia.
Are bananas good for raising sodium levels?
Bananas – You’ve heard that an apple a day keeps the doctor away. But you might not know that a banana a day keeps high blood pressure at bay. This fruit is packed full of potassium — an important blood pressure-lowering mineral. Potassium helps balance sodium in the body.
Does drinking more water increase sodium?
Are you over-hydrated? We all know the possible health problems brought on by being dehydrated, but can you ever be overhydrated? Over-hydration occurs when someone drinks too much water which affects our electrolytes. Electrolytes (sodium, potassium, magnesium, chloride and calcium) need to be in balance in order to maintain healthy blood, heart rhythm, muscle function and other important functions.
- Drinking too much water, can cause the electrolyte levels in the body to get out of whack and cause sodium levels plummet.
- The nerve and heart issues that occur with over-hydration can be deadly.
- Though it doesn’t happen very often (there have only been 14 confirmed over-hydration deaths), all have occurred in athletes.
Either under the impression that over-hydration will lead to better performance or simply trying to prevent dehydration, athletes who drink too much water end up hyponatremic (with low sodium). Even sports drinks which contain some sodium are mostly made of water and consuming too much can lead to the same issues.
For most people, dehydration is the much greater issue. However, if you suspect you may be overhydrated, look for symptoms like cloudy thinking, nausea and vomiting, muscle weakness, spasms or cramps and headaches. In severe cases symptoms could include mental confusion, seizures, unconsciousness and even coma.
The first treatment is to stop drinking fluids which will help someone recover in a few hours. However, with more severe symptoms, immediate medical attention is necessary. To prevent overhydrating, use your thirst cues and urine color as a guide. Drink water when you are thirsty and until your urine is light yellow to clear.
Will drinking more water help low sodium?
Causes – Sodium plays a key role in your body. It helps maintain normal blood pressure, supports the work of your nerves and muscles, and regulates your body’s fluid balance. A normal blood sodium level is between 135 and 145 milliequivalents per liter (mEq/L).
Certain medications. Some medications, such as some water pills (diuretics), antidepressants and pain medications, can interfere with the normal hormonal and kidney processes that keep sodium concentrations within the healthy normal range. Heart, kidney and liver problems. Congestive heart failure and certain diseases affecting the kidneys or liver can cause fluids to accumulate in your body, which dilutes the sodium in your body, lowering the overall level. Syndrome of inappropriate anti-diuretic hormone (SIADH). In this condition, high levels of the anti-diuretic hormone (ADH) are produced, causing your body to retain water instead of excreting it normally in your urine. Chronic, severe vomiting or diarrhea and other causes of dehydration. This causes your body to lose electrolytes, such as sodium, and also increases ADH levels. Drinking too much water. Drinking excessive amounts of water can cause low sodium by overwhelming the kidneys’ ability to excrete water. Because you lose sodium through sweat, drinking too much water during endurance activities, such as marathons and triathlons, can also dilute the sodium content of your blood. Hormonal changes. Adrenal gland insufficiency (Addison’s disease) affects your adrenal glands’ ability to produce hormones that help maintain your body’s balance of sodium, potassium and water. Low levels of thyroid hormone also can cause a low blood-sodium level. The recreational drug Ecstasy. This amphetamine increases the risk of severe and even fatal cases of hyponatremia.
Is there a supplement to increase sodium?
Salt tablets are available over the counter in health stores and online. But are they effective in combating low levels of sodium in the body? And should people use them to offset the effects of intensive exercise? This article looks at when people use salt tablets, their benefits and side effects, and whether they can help prevent dehydration.
Salt tablets, or salt pills, may help replace low levels of sodium in the body. Sodium is both a mineral and an electrolyte. The body needs electrolytes to regulate fluids in the body, ensuring hydration and helping the body function well. A doctor may prescribe or recommend salt tablets when a person has symptoms of hyponatremia, meaning they have low levels of sodium in the blood.
A normal blood sodium level is around 135–145 milliequivalents/liter (mEq/L), A doctor will diagnose hyponatremia when levels of sodium fall to under 135 mEq/L, According to the National Kidney Foundation, causes of hyponatremia include:
kidney failure, when the kidneys are unable to rid the body of extra fluid congestive heart failure, when excess fluid builds up in the body diuretics (water pills), which increases sodium in urinemore sweating than usualsevere vomiting or diarrhea, which depletes the body of fluids and salt excessive thirst, causing too much fluid intake
Exercise can also cause exercise-associated hyponatremia. This happens when athletes, often long-distance runners, consume too much water during physical activity, depleting natural levels of sodium. As a result, many marathon and long-distance runners take salt tablets before or during long runs to avoid cramps associated with low levels of electrolytes.
improve hydration during exercise, particularly during endurance activitieskeep a good balance of electrolytes in the body after illness or exercisemanage symptoms and side effects of underlying conditions
There is some evidence to suggest that salt tablets are an effective treatment for hyponatremia. A 2020 study into their use as a treatment for hyponatremia found a small but significant increase in people’s sodium blood levels, compared with people who did not receive salt tablets.
However, there is less evidence to suggest that they are effective in preventing illness caused by long-distance running. A 2021 study into the effect of sodium supplements and climate during ultramarathons, found that salt tablets did not appear to protect athletes from symptoms of low electrolytes, such as cramps.
Instead, they found that factors such as body mass, longer training distances, and avoiding excessive fluid intake were more important in preventing these issues. Salt tablets should not cause any specific side effects at their recommended dosage. However, if a person takes far more than the recommended dosage, they may experience hypernatremia, which is when a person has too much salt in their body.
weaknessdizzinessthirstswelling of the tonguerestlessnessflushed skinheadachea fast heart ratehigh blood pressuredelirium
A person taking salt tablets who notices any of the above symptoms should stop taking them straight away and call a doctor. Before taking salt tablets, a person should inform their doctor of anything that may be relevant, such as allergies, underlying health conditions such as high blood pressure or kidney disease, or whether they are pregnant or breastfeeding.
People can purchase salt tablets over the counter, but if a person takes an excessive amount of salt tablets, they may experience potentially serious symptoms. People taking salt tablets should follow the guidance of their doctor or follow the dosage instructions on the packaging. Taking tablets with food may reduce the likelihood of an upset stomach.
Salt tablets usually contain around 400 milligrams of sodium. They should be safely stored at room temperature, around 59–86°F (15–30°C). People can dissolve salt tablets in water to make an isotonic solution. Dissolve one tablet in 4 ounces of water and take as directed by a doctor or healthcare professional.
- People who are taking salt tablets to prevent heat cramps should take one tablet orally as directed by a doctor.
- There is evidence to suggest that salt tablets can help prevent dehydration in certain situations.
- A small 2016 study found evidence to support the use of salt supplementation to prevent dehydration during exercise.
Researchers found that a solution of sodium chloride tablets and water helped athletes retain fluid during exercise, compared with athletes who used an alternative glycerol-based solution. It is important to note that this study showed the sodium solution outperformed salt tablets when people took them on their own.
People should drink plenty of water with the tablets. Another 2016 study into burn victims found that salt tablets dissolved in 1 liter of water were effective in treating dehydration, a common side effect of burns. However, the Texas Heart Institute warns that people should avoid taking salt tablets without water or other electrolytes because they can worsen dehydration.
People who wish to take salt tablets to help with dehydration during exercise should talk with a doctor before taking them. They may consider choosing salt solutions and electrolyte or sports drinks instead of salt tablets alone. Salt tablets may help increase low levels of sodium in the blood and balance electrolytes in the body.
Does eating salt increase sodium levels?
At a Glance –
A series of experiments with men in a space flight program and mice overturns long-held beliefs about thirst and reveals how the body controls its salt and water balance. The complex interplay of mechanisms has important effects on hormones, metabolism, and possibly development of disease.
Sodium chloride, commonly called dietary salt, is essential to our body. But a high salt intake can raise blood pressure, which can damage the body in many ways over time. High blood pressure has been linked to heart disease, stroke, kidney failure, and other health problems.
However, not everyone is equally sensitive to high levels of salt. Researchers have long believed that the way the level of salt inside our bodies is controlled is fairly straightforward: when levels are too high, our brains are stimulated to make us thirsty. We drink more and excrete more urine, through which the body expels excess salt.
To gain insight into this process, a team led by Dr. Jens Titze at the University of Erlangen-Nuremberg in Germany took the opportunity to study men participating in a simulated space flight program. Between 2009 and 2011, they tightly controlled the daily salt intake of 10 men simulating a flight to Mars: four in a 105-day pre-flight phase and six others for 205 days.
- The men were given 12 grams of salt per day, 9 g/day, or 6 g/day for 30–60 days.
- The researchers collected all the men’s urine for testing.
- The scientists were surprised to find that, whatever the level of salt consumed, sodium was stored and released from the men’s bodies in roughly weekly and monthly patterns.
The team uncovered similar rhythms for the hormones aldosterone, which regulates sodium excretion from the kidney, and glucocorticoids, which help regulate metabolism. Titze, now at Vanderbilt University Medical Center, continued to examine the long-term control of sodium and water balance in the men.
To better understand the mechanisms at work, his team also performed experiments in mice. Their latest results appeared in two papers on May 1, 2017, in the Journal of Clinical Investigation, The work was funded in part by NIH’s National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) and National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK).
Changing salt intake affected levels of both aldosterone and glucocorticoids, the hormones found to rhythmically control the body’s salt and water balance. These, in turn, had a number of interesting effects in the body. Increasing salt intake increased sodium excretion, but also unexpectedly caused the kidney to conserve water.
- Excess sodium was thus released in concentrated urine.
- This method of protecting the body’s water was so efficient that the men actually drank less when their salt intake was highest.
- These results show that the body regulates its salt and water balance not only by releasing excess sodium in urine, but by actively retaining or releasing water in urine.
The advantage of this mechanism is that the long-term maintenance of body fluids isn’t as dependent on external water sources as once believed. The researchers found that the kidney conserves or releases water by balancing levels of sodium, potassium, and the waste product urea.
- This may be what ties glucocorticoid levels to salt intake.
- A high salt diet increased glucocorticoid levels, causing muscle and liver to burn more energy to produce urea, which was then used in the kidney for water conservation.
- That also led the mice to eat more.
- These salt-driven changes in metabolism may thus partly explain why high salt diets have been linked to diabetes, heart disease, and other health problems that can result from the condition known as metabolic syndrome.
“We have always focused on the role of salt in arterial hypertension. Our findings suggest that there is much more to know—a high salt intake may predispose to metabolic syndrome,” Titze says. More work will be needed to better understand these mechanisms.
What is the main cause of low sodium?
In hyponatremia, the level of sodium in blood is too low.
A low sodium level has many causes, including consumption of too many fluids, kidney failure, heart failure, cirrhosis, and use of diuretics. Symptoms result from brain dysfunction. At first, people become sluggish and confused, and if hyponatremia worsens, they may have muscle twitches and seizures and become progressively unresponsive. The diagnosis is based on blood tests to measure the sodium level. Restricting fluids and stopping use of diuretics can help, but severe hyponatremia is an emergency requiring use of drugs, intravenous fluids, or both.
Certain conditions may cause people to drink too much water (polydipsia), which can contribute to the development of hyponatremia. Thiazide diuretics (sometimes called water pills) are a common cause of hyponatremia. These drugs increase sodium excretion, which increases water excretion.
Thiazide diuretics are usually well-tolerated but can cause hyponatremia in people prone to low sodium, particularly the elderly. Vasopressin (also called antidiuretic hormone) is a substance naturally produced in the body that helps regulate the amount of water in the body by controlling how much water is excreted by the kidneys.
Vasopressin decreases water excretion by the kidneys, which retains more water in the body and dilutes the sodium. The pituitary gland produces and releases vasopressin when the blood volume (amount of fluid in the blood vessels) or blood pressure goes down or when levels of electrolytes (such as sodium) become too high.
Antipsychotic and antidepressant drugs Aspirin, ibuprofen, and many other nonprescription pain relievers (analgesics) Carbamazepine (an anticonvulsant) Chlorpropamide (which lowers the blood sugar level) Clofibrate (which lowers cholesterol levels) Ecstasy (3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine ) Oxytocin (used to induce labor) Vasopressin (synthetic antidiuretic hormone) Vincristine (a chemotherapy drug)
Other causes of hyponatremia include
Blockage of the small intestine Burns, if severe Consumption of too much water, as occurs in some mental disorders Diarrhea Drugs such as barbiturates, carbamazepine, chlorpropamide, clofibrate, diuretics (most common), opioids, tolbutamide, and vincristine Kidney disorders Vomiting
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.
Measurement of sodium level in the blood
Hyponatremia is diagnosed by measuring the sodium level in blood. Determining the cause is more complex. Doctors consider the person’s circumstances, including other disorders present and drugs taken. 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. 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.
| Generic Name | Select Brand Names |
|---|---|
| aspirin | Anacin Adult Low Strength, Aspergum, Aspir-Low, Aspirtab, Aspir-Trin, Bayer Advanced Aspirin, Bayer Aspirin, Bayer Aspirin Extra Strength, Bayer Aspirin Plus, Bayer Aspirin Regimen, Bayer Children’s Aspirin, Bayer Extra Strength, Bayer Extra Strength Plus, Bayer Genuine Aspirin, Bayer Low Dose Aspirin Regimen, Bayer Womens Aspirin, BeneHealth Aspirin, Bufferin, Bufferin Extra Strength, Bufferin Low Dose, DURLAZA, Easprin, Ecotrin, Ecotrin Low Strength, Genacote, Halfprin, MiniPrin, St. Joseph Adult Low Strength, St. Joseph Aspirin, VAZALORE, Zero Order Release Aspirin, ZORprin |
| ibuprofen | Advil, Advil Children’s, Advil Children’s Fever, Advil Infants’, Advil Junior Strength, Advil Migraine, Caldolor, Children’s Ibuprofen, ElixSure IB, Genpril, Ibren, IBU, Midol, Midol Cramps and Body Aches, Motrin, Motrin Children’s, Motrin IB, Motrin Infants’, Motrin Junior Strength, Motrin Migraine Pain, PediaCare Children’s Pain Reliever/Fever Reducer IB, PediaCare Infants’ Pain Reliever/Fever Reducer IB, Samson-8 |
| carbamazepine | Carbatrol, Epitol, Equetro, Tegretol, Tegretol -XR |
| oxytocin | Pitocin |
| vasopressin | Pitressin, Vasostrict |
| vincristine | Oncovin, Vincasar PFS |
| tolbutamide | Orinase, Tol-Tab |
NOTE: This is the Consumer Version. DOCTORS: VIEW PROFESSIONAL VERSION VIEW PROFESSIONAL VERSION Copyright © 2023 Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, NJ, USA and its affiliates. All rights reserved.
Can low sodium be treated at home?
If your doctor recommends it, drink fluids that have sodium. Sports drinks are a good choice. Or you can eat salty foods. If your doctor recommends it, limit the amount of water you drink.
How long does it take to recover from very low sodium?
Hormonal conditions – Syndrome of inappropriate anti-diuretic hormone ( SIADH ) results in the production of high levels of anti-diuretic hormone, leading fluid to build up inside the body. This is another condition that’s difficult to notice at first. But symptoms can include:
nausea and vomitingrestlessnesspersonality changesloss of appetite
Weakness, cramps, and seizures can also occur. Addison’s disease impacts the adrenal gland, which is needed to balance things like sodium. Symptoms can range from weakness, fatigue, and weight loss to fainting, mouth sores, and a darkening of the skin.
- And an underactive thyroid can cause low sodium levels.
- Look out for weight gain and fatigue early on.
- Dry skin and hair, feeling cold, constipation, and muscle issues are also common.
- It depends on what’s causing the low levels.
- Treatment can be short-term, meaning just a few hours or days, or long-term if an underlying disease needs to be managed.
And it can be simple or complex. If hyponatremia is on the severe side, replacing sodium must be done gradually and carefully to avoid brain injury. If sodium is lost through the likes of sweating, vomiting, or diarrhea, then replenishing it is a good idea through special rehydration drinks.
These are often used by people who exercise a lot. The best thing to do is to remain hydrated — enough that your urine is pale yellow. Remember to drink enough fluids when the weather is especially warm or if you’re not feeling well. Of course, there’s always the chance that you’re consuming too much water.
In rare cases, doctors may advise consuming less to avoid the dilution of sodium in the blood. Rarer still is advice to gradually add more salt to your diet. This is only likely if you have been diagnosed with a condition like SIADH. Avoid decreasing water intake or increasing salt intake until you consult with a healthcare professional.
- Your clinician will advise specific treatment if necessary — it all depends on what’s causing your sodium levels to be low.
- For example, if medication is the culprit, your clinician may adjust your dosage or change your prescription entirely.
- You may also need to go to the hospital for intravenous fluid to boost sodium levels.
If you’re more at risk of hyponatremia and start feeling nauseous and weak or start having headaches and muscular issues, seek medical attention as soon as possible. Confusion, seizures, and a loss of consciousness all require immediate emergency care.
- You know yourself best.
- And while low sodium levels are relatively rare, if something doesn’t feel right, contact a healthcare professional for advice.
- Lauren Sharkey is a U.K.-based journalist and author specializing in women’s issues.
- When she isn’t trying to discover a way to banish migraines, she can be found uncovering the answers to your lurking health questions.
She has also written a book profiling young female activists across the globe and is currently building a community of such resisters. Catch her on Twitter,
What is dangerously low sodium level?
What is hyponatremia? – Hyponatremia means that the sodium level in the blood is below normal. Your body needs sodium for fluid balance, blood pressure control, as well as the nerves and muscles. The normal blood sodium level is 135 to 145 milliequivalents/liter (mEq/L).
Are eggs high in sodium?
Eggs have been in the news a lot — again. It seems like every few years, questions arise about these meals in a shell. Are they good or bad for you? What about their protein and cholesterol? Looking at the nutritional breakdown, one egg contains roughly 75 calories, 5 grams of fat, 6 grams of protein, 0 carbohydrates, 67 milligrams of potassium, 70 milligrams of sodium and 210 milligrams of cholesterol.
Eggs are also a great source of vitamins A, D and B12, as well as choline, a nutrient essential in many steps of metabolism. Except for its cholesterol content, one egg is a healthy option for breakfast lunch or dinner. Research shows that the cholesterol in eggs doesn’t seem to negatively affect the human body compared to other sources of cholesterol.
For example, eggs typically are eaten with other foods high in salt, saturated fat and cholesterol, such as bacon, cheese and butter. These foods are known to increase heart disease risk and should be eaten sparingly. Most healthy people can eat up to seven eggs a week without affecting their heart health.
What is the best salt for seniors?
GENERAL GUIDELINES FOR LOW SODIUM DIET – To reduce the risk of heart disease or reduce symptoms if you’ve already been diagnosed, your doctor will probably recommend a low sodium diet, If you follow a low salt diet, it will help keep high blood pressure and edema (swelling) under control.
Take the saltshaker off the table. Sea salt is better for you than iodized or kosher salt. Choose low sodium ingredients at the store (foods containing less than 140mg per serving). Most condiments and other center-aisle items at the grocery store have a low sodium alternative. Avoid high salt foods (with over 400mg of sodium per serving). Watch out for high-sodium additives like MSG. Avoid soft water for drinking as it contains added sodium. Salt substitutes can be a good option, but it’s probably best to avoid them if you need to be on a low potassium diet. Eat homemade meals instead of restaurant meals or processed frozen meals.
How can I check my sodium level at home?
How Does A Home Sodium Test Kit Work? – At-home sodium tests are available and require either a urine or blood sample. A home sodium urine test comprises a container, a test strip, and a set of illustrated instructions. The procedure includes collecting fresh urine in the container and then briefly dipping the test strip into the urine.
- After 60 seconds, assess how the reagent tip of the test strip has reacted to the sample and compare it to the colour chart provided in the instructions.
- Depending on the colour of the tip, you can determine whether your sodium levels are high, low, or within the normal range.
- A home sodium blood test comprises a collection tube, a lancet, alcohol wipes, an instruction guide, and a return bag.
The process involves disinfecting the area (the tip of your finger) with a wipe and using the lancet (a small needle) to draw some drops of blood before depositing it into the collection tube. Once you have collected sufficient blood to fill the tube, tightly secure the lid and place it in the return bag to mail to the lab for testing.
What fruit has the most sodium?
1. Sodium Rich Fruits – The fruit containing the highest sodium content is the Mammee apple (American fruit), a tropical fruit. One fruit or about 850 gm of mammee apple contains about 127 mg of sodium. Guava and Apple skin contains about 45-50 mg of sodium per serving.
Which fruit is best for sodium?
Q. What fruits and vegetables are high in sodium? – A. Apples, guavas, avocado, papaya, mango, carambola, pineapple, banana, melons, and pears contain natural sodium ranging between 1-8 mg per 100 grams. Celery, spinach, carrots and beets are vegetables that are rich in sodium. Generally, fruits and vegetables have low sodium.
What happens when sodium levels are low in elderly?
Answer Section – Low blood sodium, known as hyponatremia, occurs when you have an irregularly low amount of sodium in your blood or when you have too much water in your blood. Low blood sodium is common in older adults, especially those who are hospitalized or have long-term health problems such as heart disease, kidney disease or cancer, among others.
- Symptoms of hyponatremia can include nausea and vomiting, loss of energy and confusion.
- Serious hyponatremia can cause seizures, coma and even death.
- Hyponatremia is more common in older adults because they’re more likely to take medicines or have medical problems that put them at risk of the disorder.
These include:
Drugs that cause the body to make more urine, called diuretics. Some types of antidepressants. Carbamazepine, an anti-seizure medication. Underactive thyroid or adrenal glands. Decreased function of the kidneys, liver or heart. Certain cancers, including lung cancer. Certain illnesses, such as pneumonia or urinary tract infections, that can cause dehydration.
Hyponatremia treatments may include changing a medicine that affects sodium level, treating an underlying disease, changing the amount of water you drink or changing the amount of salt in your diet. Last Updated: May 16th, 2023 © 1998-2023 Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research (MFMER). All rights reserved. Terms of Use
How do you fix low sodium levels?
How is hyponatremia treated? – You and your provider will work together to find the best treatment for the low blood sodium levels. Treatment depends on the underlying cause and the severity of your symptoms. If you have mild symptoms, your provider makes small adjustments to correct the problem. Treatment may be short-term or long-term. A short-term treatment includes:
Limiting water intake. Adjusting or stopping medications. Treating underlying causes.
A long-term treatment plan may include:
Limiting water intake. Adjusting or stopping medications, or adding newer medications. Adding salt to your diet.
If you have moderate to severe hyponatremia, you probably will need to go to the hospital for thorough medical evaluation and treatment. People with most serious cases of hyponatremia will probably get replacement sodium intravenously (straight into a vein).
