Hyponatremia is the decrease in the amount of sodium compared to water, which in the blood test is indicated with values less than 135 mEq / L.This change is dangerous because the lower the level of sodium in the blood, the more severe the symptoms, with brain symptoms.edema, seizures and, in some cases, coma.
Decreased blood sodium is more common in hospitalized patients and should therefore undergo regular blood tests.The treatment of hyponatremia is done by replacing the amount of sodium in the blood with the administration of serum, which should be prescribed by the doctor in the required amount depending on each case.
- Decreased blood sodium levels result from any disease resulting in a decrease in the amount of water removed by the body.
- Or when water accumulates more in the blood.
- So sodium is diluted.
Vasopressin is the hormone responsible for regulating the amount of water in the body, released by the pituitary gland in case of low blood volume, low blood pressure or in case of high volume sodium circulation; However, in some situations, the amount of vasopressin produced may become dereglated, leading to hyponatremia, so some of the main causes of hyponatremia are:
Drinking too much fluid to the point of causing hyponatremia can occur in psychiatric situations, such as potomania, where excessive beer is drunk, or psychogenic polydipsia, in which the person drinks more water than is necessary.
For athletes it is ideal not to abuse the amount of drink during the exercise, since about 150 ml of water for 1 hour of exercise is sufficient, if you are thirstier, you should drink another isotonic drink, such as Gatorade, which contains important minerals, to maintain blood control.
Diagnosis of hyponatremia is made by measuring sodium in the blood, in which a concentration less than 135 mEq / L is checked, ideally sodium values should be between 135 and 145 mEq / L.
Diagnosis of the cause is made by the doctor, who examines changes in medical history and other blood tests, such as evaluation of kidney function, liver, blood glucose, and blood and urinary concentration, which help determine the source of the change.
To treat hyponatremia, your doctor should identify the intensity of your symptoms and whether it is an acute or chronic change in the environment, severe acute hyponatremia, or when it causes symptoms, the serum is replenished with a higher amount of sodium., which is the hypertonic saline solution.
This replacement should be carefully calculated, based on each person’s sodium needs and done slowly, as sudden changes in sodium levels or excess sodium, which is hypernatremia, can also be harmful to brain cells.Learn more about the causes and how to treat hypernatremia.
Chronic hyponatremia can also be treated with hypertonic saline or saline solution, and no rapid correction is necessary, as the body is already adapting to this condition.In mild situations, another option is to limit the amount of water you drink during the day, which can allow blood to have a better balance between water and salt.
The signs and symptoms of hyponatremia are more severe as the amount of sodium in the blood decreases. For example, headaches, nausea, vomiting, and drowsiness may appear. When levels are very low, seizures, muscle spasms, and coma can occur.
Symptom-causing hyponatremia is considered a medical emergency and should be detected and treated as soon as possible.