Sodium deficiencies that occur in low body fluid volumes are usually due to diarrhea, diuretics, excessive sweating, or vomiting. A urine sodium test can be used to determine your kidney function and level of hydration. A sodium level in the blood that is too low is dangerous and can cause seizures and coma. You can balance sodium levels with a low-sodium vegetable juice if in need of a smaller boost. Falsely low sodium levels Very high cholesterol levels. But why is it so important to maintain a good balance within your sodium levels in the body? Visit your healthcare provider immediately if you’ve experienced any of the above symptoms and suspect that you have low sodium levels. It is generally defined as a sodium concentration of less than 135 mmol/L (135 mEq/L), with severe hyponatremia being below 120 mEq/L. Sodium concentration is higher in the bloodstream than inside cells. Hyponatremia is a low sodium concentration in the blood. Once the sodium level drops, our cells expand from the abundance of water present in the blood. Sodium is an electrolyte, and it helps regulate the amount of water that's in and around your cells.In hyponatremia, one or more factors — ranging from an underlying medical condition to drinking too much water — cause the sodium in your body to become diluted. Let’s explore what dangerously low sodium levels actually mean … taking medications for symptoms such as headaches, nausea, and seizures, infusing an intravenous (IV) sodium solution. If you have low blood pressure, you may want to consider changing your diet. There are some suggestions for low sodium treatment at home, which also may help to prevent levels from dropping. People who suffer from SIADH produce excess amounts of the antidiuretic hormone (ADH). Learn more about the medical uses for salt. The recreational drug known as ecstasy can lead to a rapid drop in sodium levels that may result in death. Symptoms of low blood sodium can vary from person to person. © 2005-2020 Healthline Media a Red Ventures Company. We rely on sodium for the proper functioning of many organs, including our skin cells. It may include: Keeping your water and electrolyte levels in balance can help prevent low blood sodium. Drug-induced hyponatraemia occurs in approximately 5% of … Low blood sodium (hyponatremia) occurs when you have an abnormally low amount of sodium in your blood or when you have too much water in your blood. Although the American Heart Association estimates 97% of Americans consume too much sodium, hyponatremia is a common condition. Low sodium levels in both your blood and your urine mean your body isn’t taking in enough sodium. Insufficient sodium in your blood is also known as hyponatremia. “Hyponatremia,” Mayo Clinic; http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/hyponatremia/basics/treatment/con-20031445, last accessed April 10, 2017. Our adrenal glands also need appropriate sleep, rest, and exercise to produce sufficient hormones to balance the electrolyte levels. Low functioning adrenal glands and an underactive thyroid will cause sodium levels to drop. The official hyponatremia definition is the lack of sodium in the blood necessary to regulate the water used by our cells. Lundman, S., “Is V8 Juice Good for You?” Livestrong, December 18, 2013; http://www.livestrong.com/article/409207-is-v8-juice-good-for-you/, last accessed April 11, 2017. The resulting water retention can cause sodium levels to decrease. syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone, 6 Little-Known Dangers of Restricting Sodium Too Much, 13 Foods That Are Good for High Blood Pressure, Raise Low Blood Pressure Naturally Through Diet, drinking too much water during exercise (this is very rare). An eight-ounce glass of the popular V8 brand may contain up to 500 milligrams of sodium, so be mindful of your daily intake. The main treatment for hyponatremia involves identifying and correcting the underlying cause. Not just for athletes, sports drinks can help to replenish sodium levels, especially after a strenuous workout or run. What Are These Tiny Red Spots on My Skin (Petechiae)? When this happens, your body's water levels rise, and your cells beg… These drinks are also helpful if you lose a lot of fluids through vomiting or diarrhea. Disclaimer: Results are not guaranteed*** and may vary from person to person***. The results of this test will help your doctor determine the cause of your low blood sodium: Treatment for low blood sodium varies depending on the cause. Drugs like corticosteroids, laxatives, bicarbonate, and diuretics may also.Health conditions affecting … These drinks contain electrolytes, and help replenish sodium lost through sweating. Our website services, content, and products are for informational purposes only. It occurs when water and sodium are out of balance. It may identify low blood sodium in someone without any symptoms. Medications that are prescribed to treat high blood pressure or fluid retention, called diuretics, can lead to low sodium levels. But how much water you should actually drink is more…, Foods that are rich in potassium, magnesium, and calcium can help lower blood pressure. Martel, J., “Low Blood Sodium (Hyponatremia),” Healthline, March 27, 2017; http://www.healthline.com/health/hyponatremia#1, last accessed April 11, 2017. The hormones aldosterone (made in the adrenal gland) and anti-diuretic hormone (ADH) or vasopressin (made in the pituitary) adjust the way the kidneys deal with water and sodium to maintain the appropr… Under a doctor’s care, or as an existing hospital patient, you may receive a prescribed dose of diuretics, a sodium solution through intravenous injection or pill form, for the symptoms. Sodium chloride—also known as salt—is used in medical treatments such as IV infusions and catheter flushes. Causes of low sodium include: severe vomiting or diarrhea taking certain medications, including antidepressants and pain medications taking diuretics (water pills) Low sodium levels (hypotonicity) cause cells to maintain water and swell. Since sodium also plays a role in muscle contraction, critically low sodium levels can also cause muscle weakness, cramps or spasms. 10 Ways to Control Blood Sugar without Medication, Low Sodium in Blood (Hyponatremia): Definition, Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment, http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/hyponatremia/basics/treatment/con-20031445, http://healthyeating.sfgate.com/drinks-increase-sodium-intake-10730.html, http://www.healthline.com/health/hyponatremia#1, https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/000394.htm, http://www.livestrong.com/article/409207-is-v8-juice-good-for-you/. Losing sodium quickly is a medical emergency. If the levels aren’t restored, the person may suffer severe health consequences. Hyponatremia happens when too much sodium leaves your body, or when more water than sodium stays in your blood. The buildup of water will quickly lower sodium blood levels. There are some troubles caused by this matter including fatigue, headache, nausea, vomit, muscle cramp, anxiety, and more. Many people tend to be afraid with high level of sodium within their body. When looking for high-sodium drinks to increase levels, limit beverages that do not have any nutritional benefit. Hyponatremia is present when levels drop below 135 mEq/L. You should also consider drinking rehydration beverages like Gatorade or Powerade. A blood test can help your doctor check for low sodium levels. If you’re an athlete, it’s important to drink the right amount of water during exercise. Healthline Media does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Health conditions affecting our hormone balance can also cause hyponatremia. If you feel your sodium level has dropped below the normal level you should contact your doctor to see if you have an underlying cause that may need to be treated. It can cause loss of consciousness, seizures, and coma. It occurs when a person doesn’t get enough water, either because of limited access to water or an impaired thirst mechanism. When you’re adequately hydrated, your urine will be pale yellow or clear, and you won’t feel thirsty. Initial stages of low levels may not present any symptoms unless they drop rapidly. Symptoms result from brain dysfunction. Hyponatremia occurs when your sodium level goes below 135 mEq/L. We’ve always been told we should drink eight 8-ounce glasses of water each day to stay healthy. During a typical day, women should aim to drink 2.2 liters of fluids. Sources: There are several symptoms that indicate the sodium levels in your blood have dropped too low. A low sodium in blood level can lead to scary outcomes if ignored. Based on your symptoms, the physical examination, and details of your medical history, you may be required to undergo a series of tests. Sodium deficiency in cases of normal fluid volume are most often caused by adrenal insufficiency, hypothyroidism, or drinking too much beer or water. Learn which foods to eat and what to avoid. We include products we think are useful for our readers. There is the problem of the critically low sodium levels being caused by many different reasons, including a number of health diseases and/or disorders. Drinks enriched with sodium such as vegetable juices can boost your blood sodium levels. Sodium is a mineral element which is an important part of the human body. These can include antidepressants, pain relievers, and diuretics. It's often recommended to reduce sodium to lower blood pressure. Another important cause of low sodium is that if you are into taking a lot of diuretics, your levels of sodium will come down. Sign Up for the Latest Health News and Tips, Home » General Health » Low Sodium in Blood (Hyponatremia): Definition, Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment. In these cases the result for the blood sodium will be low but that … Our adrenal glands produce hormones to help balance the water, sodium, and potassium levels. Over-the-counter and prescribed medications may have an adverse effect on the sodium levels in our blood. Low sodium blood levels may be caused by excess fluid in the body relative to a normal amount of sodium, or it may be due to a loss of sodium and body fluid caused by chronic conditions like kidney failure or congestive heart failure (CHF). A diagnosis of hyponatremia may result from an osmolality (chemical) blood test, a urine osmolality, a comprehensive metabolic panel, or a urine sodium test. Low sodium levels can occur in patients whose cancers produce ADH-like hormones, from other cancer complications and different treatment side effects. Low sodium in blood is medically referred to as hyponatremia and can lead to serious consequences if left untreated. A sodium blood test is a routine test that allows your doctor to see how much sodium is in your blood. Strenuous exercise such as running can cause us to sweat profusely and replenishing with water may dilute our sodium content. Low sodium in your blood can cause a condition named Hyponatremia. Low blood sodium is common in older adults, especially those who … Other risk factors include consumption of the recreational drug Ecstasy, sudden exposure to a hot climate, or a strict low-sodium diet. Causes of Low Sodium Levels. But don’t you know that low levels of sodium are also terrible for your health? Learn more about low sodium levels, risk factors… Treatment depends on the cause… Your body loses a certain amount of sodium each day through sweat and when you go to the bathroom. The severity of the symptoms depends on how low the sodium levels are in the bloodstream and how quickly they fall. drug induced low sodium FREE subscriptions for doctors and students... click here You have 3 open access pages. This stage causes us to lose electrolytes such as sodium and other fluids. Certain factors increase your risk of low blood sodium, including: If you’re at risk for low sodium, you may need to be more careful about your intake of electrolytes and water. If you have any questions about low sodium levels and alcohol, please let us know and the team will gladly answer your questions. Some of the known causes of low sodium levels include: As we need sodium for proper functioning, it is important to understand what causes low levels and to be aware of hyponatremia symptoms. Sodium is an essential electrolyte that helps maintain the balance of water in and around your cells. If your sodium levels fall gradually, you may not experience any symptoms. 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