It is necessary to recognize Hyponatremia’s Symptoms at proper time and get proper medical help for it’s treatment. In some cases some underlying disease may be causing the decline in sodium or water level. Read ahead to know more about Hyponatremia’s Symptoms, causes, diagnosis and available treatment methods for Hyponatremia.
Hyponatremia is a metabolic condition that is characterized by deficiency of sodium (salt) in the body fluids outside the cells. Sodium has its significance in many body functions that includes maintaining the fluid balance of the body and regulating blood pressure and normal functioning of the nervous system. It is also commonly referred to as “water intoxication” which means that this condition is caused by excess consumption of water especially during a session of physical stress in the form of strenuous exercise, without appropriate replacement of sodium.
Hyponatremia: Symptoms
Following are the symptoms shown by this condition:
- Cerebral edema as a result of swollen brain cells due to shift in the water pressure from the outside to the inside of the cell.
- Altered mental state characterized by confusion, hallucinations, decreased consciousness, irritability and possibly even coma.
- Headache
- Convulsions
- Fatigue
- Seizures
- Loss of appetite
- Muscle Spasms or cramps
- Muscle weakness
- Nausea
Hyponatremia (Water Intoxication) Causes :-
It is caused due to the following factors:
- Sodium that is mostly found in the fluids that are outside the cells plays an important role in maintaining the blood pressure. When sodium levels outside the cell drops the water moves into the cell to attain a pH balance. As a result, the cells swell, this swelling although is normal for most cells, brain cells do not handle the pressure and give rise to various symptoms of hyponatremia.
- A low sodium level in the blood may also occur due to its dilution by the excess amount of bodily fluids which in turn is the result of kidney failure.
- Congestive heart failure is another cause of this condition in which excess fluid accumulates in the body.
- The body produces excess of ADH (Anti-diuretic hormone) again causing water retention in the body, a condition known as SIADH (Syndrome of inappropriate anti-diuretic hormone).
- Diarrhea along with extensive sweating and vomiting is another cause of this condition that leads to loss of both body fluids along with the sodium.
- Other medical conditions that cause hyponatremia are adrenal insufficiency, hypothyroidism and liver cirrhosis.
- There are a considerable number of drugs that can lower the sodium levels like vasopressin, sulfonylurea drugs and diuretics.
Hyponatremia Diagnosis :-
Ways in which hyponatremia is diagnosed:
Blood and urine tests are done that include –
- Osmolality blood test
- Sodium blood test
- Urine osmolality
- Urine Sodium
Treatments for Hyponatremia :-
Treatment undertaken to correct this condition is as follows:
- Minor cases of hyponatremia may not even need custom treatment since it can be corrected by appropriate modifications in diet and medications.
- For severe cases, though, the patient is subjected to intravenous administration of fluids and electrolytes.
- Fluids through a vein (IV)
- Water restriction
- Other medications
My son has some symptoms you listed here, like headache and Loss of appetite. are these Hyponatremia symptoms? can you list chronic hyponatremia symptoms in children?