What happens when sodium levels are low?

What happens when your body is low on sodium?

Low blood sodium is common in older adults, especially those who are hospitalized or living in long-term care facilities. Signs and symptoms of hyponatremia can include altered personality, lethargy and confusion. Severe hyponatremia can cause seizures, coma and even death.

What causes a person’s sodium level to be 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.

How do you raise your sodium level?

Options include:
  1. Intravenous fluids. Your doctor may recommend IV sodium solution to slowly raise the sodium levels in your blood. …
  2. Medications. You may take medications to manage the signs and symptoms of hyponatremia, such as headaches, nausea and seizures.

How do you fix low sodium?

Treatment for low blood sodium
  1. cutting back on fluid intake.
  2. adjusting the dosage of diuretics.
  3. taking medications for symptoms such as headaches, nausea, and seizures.
  4. treating underlying conditions.
  5. infusing an intravenous (IV) sodium solution.

Related Posts