Table of contents:
- Definition
- What is hyponatremia?
- How common is hyponatremia?
- Signs & symptoms
- What are the signs and symptoms of hyponatremia?
- When should I see a doctor?
- Cause
- What are the causes of hyponatremia?
- 1. Certain medications
- 2. Problems with the heart, kidneys, and liver
- 3. SIADH disease
- 4. Body problems that lead to dehydration
- 5. Drink too much water
- 6. Hormonal changes in the body
- 7. Use of ecstasy
- Risk factors
- What increases my risk for hyponatremia?
- 1. Age
- 2. Taking certain drugs
- 3. Suffering from certain diseases
- 4. Intensive physical activity
- Complications
- What are the complications caused by hyponatremia?
- Drugs & Medicines
- How is hyponatremia diagnosed?
- How to treat hyponatremia?
- Home remedies
- What are some lifestyle changes or home remedies that can be done to treat hyponatremia?
- 1. Overcoming related conditions
- 2. Educate yourself
- 3. Exercise properly
- 4. Drink electrolyte drinks
- 5. Drink enough water
Definition
What is hyponatremia?
Hyponatremia is a condition in which sodium (sodium) levels in the body are far below normal limits.
Normally, the sodium level in our body is between 135-145 mEq / L. Hyponatremia can occur when sodium levels are below 135 mEq / L.
Sodium is a type of electrolyte that plays a role in maintaining water balance in and around your body's cells. This balance is important for muscles and nerves to function properly. Sodium also helps stabilize blood pressure.
Hyponatremia can occur due to several health conditions, such as drinking too much water. This can cause water levels in the body to increase, and the cells will enlarge. This enlargement of cells can trigger various health problems, ranging from mild to life threatening.
Based on the time of occurrence, the condition of low sodium in the body can be divided into two types, namely:
- Chronic hyponatremia
This condition occurs when sodium levels in the body slowly decline for more than 48 hours. Symptoms of this type are usually mild to moderate.
- Acute hyponatremia
Occurs when sodium levels in the body drop suddenly. This can lead to more serious symptoms, such as rapid swelling of the brain, which can lead to coma and even death.
How common is hyponatremia?
The condition of electrolyte disturbances in the body is a fairly common thing. Hyponatremia is also a type of chemical abnormality that is often found in patients undergoing treatment in the hospital.
In addition, this condition is common in patients of all ages. There is no certain racial group that has a greater risk of developing this disease than other ethnic races.
Hyponatremia can be treated by reducing the existing risk factors. Consult with your doctor to find out more information about this disease.
Signs & symptoms
What are the signs and symptoms of hyponatremia?
The signs and symptoms of hyponatremia may vary from person to person. If you have the chronic type in which sodium levels drop gradually, you may not feel any symptoms right away.
However, if the sodium level in the body drops suddenly, you may experience symptoms and signs that are quite severe.
Some of the signs and symptoms of hyponatremia are:
- Nausea and vomiting
- Headache
- Confusion
- Loss of energy and fatigue
- Muscle weakness, spasms, or cramps
- Seizures
- Coma
There may be signs and symptoms not listed above. If you have concerns about a particular symptom, consult your doctor.
When should I see a doctor?
If you experience one or more of the symptoms including severe, such as vomiting, muscle spasms, and coma, you should immediately see a doctor.
In addition, if you have a medical condition that increases your risk of hyponatremia, or have risk factors for this condition, such as doing high-intensity activities, you should start seeing your doctor.
By checking with a doctor, you can find out what treatment is most appropriate and in accordance with your health condition.
Cause
What are the causes of hyponatremia?
The main cause of hyponatremia is decreased sodium levels in the body. Sodium functions to balance fluids in the body, regulate blood pressure, and support the work of muscles and nerves.
The normal level of sodium in the body is around 135 to 145 mEq / L. If the sodium in your blood falls below this number, you may have hyponatremia.
There are many conditions such as health conditions or lifestyle that can affect the decrease in body sodium levels, such as:
1. Certain medications
Some medications, such as diuretics, antidepressants, and pain relievers, can affect hormones and kidney function. This can have an impact on the balance of sodium levels in the body.
2. Problems with the heart, kidneys, and liver
Diseases such as congestive heart failure (CHF), kidney or liver disease can cause fluid levels in the body to increase. This condition can dilute sodium in the body, so the impact is a decrease in sodium levels.
3. SIADH disease
Syndrome of inappropriate anti-diuretic hormone or SIADH is a disease in which the body produces too high anti-diuretic hormone. This condition causes water to retain in the body and not be wasted properly through the excretion process and urine.
4. Body problems that lead to dehydration
When the body excretes too much fluid, such as too much vomiting and diarrhea, the body loses a lot of electrolytes, including sodium. Dehydration can also increase the anti-diuretic levels in the body.
5. Drink too much water
Drinking excess water can lower sodium levels. This is because the kidneys have a hard time processing too much water into the body. In addition, drinking too much water while exercising also has the potential to dilute sodium in the body.
6. Hormonal changes in the body
Health conditions such as Addison's disease and thyroid can affect hormone production in the body. This hormonal imbalance has a major impact on the body's sodium, potassium and water levels.
7. Use of ecstasy
The consumption of drugs such as ampthetamine increases the risk of hyponatremia which is fatal, even potentially life threatening.
Risk factors
What increases my risk for hyponatremia?
There are many risk factors for hyponatremia, including:
1. Age
The older you are, the greater your risk of developing hyponatremia.
2. Taking certain drugs
Medications that increase the risk of lowering sodium levels include diuretic drugs, such as thiazides as well as some antidepressants and pain relievers.
3. Suffering from certain diseases
Conditions that decrease the excretion of fluid in the body, such as kidney disease, syndrome of inappropriate anti-diuretic hormone (SIADH) or heart failure.
4. Intensive physical activity
People who drink too much water while doing marathons, ultramarathon, triathlons and other high-intensity long-distance activities are at risk of developing hyponatremia.
Complications
What are the complications caused by hyponatremia?
In the chronic type of hyponatremia, sodium levels will decrease slowly over 48 hours or longer. The symptoms and complications are generally less severe.
Meanwhile, a sudden drop in sodium levels has the potential to have harmful effects, such as swelling of the brain. This condition can be fatal, and can even lead to death.
Drugs & Medicines
The information provided is not a substitute for medical advice. ALWAYS consult your doctor.
How is hyponatremia diagnosed?
At the beginning of the examination process, the doctor will ask about your medical history, health conditions, and medications that you are currently taking.
However, of course a physical examination alone will not be sufficient to diagnose what is causing this condition. The doctor will also ask you to undergo several tests, such as blood and urine tests to evaluate the sodium level in the body, blood concentration, and urine content.
How to treat hyponatremia?
The goal of hyponatremia treatment is to address the underlying cause. as:
- Limit fluid intake
- Adjust diuretic dosage
- Resolving the causative condition.
Severe hyponatremia is an emergency. To overcome this, doctors need:
- Liquid sodium infusion
Your doctor will recommend using an IV to get sodium into your body. This procedure will require you to be hospitalized, so that medical professionals can always monitor the sodium level in your body.
- Drugs
The doctor will also prescribe medications that can help relieve symptoms, such as headaches, nausea and seizures.
Home remedies
What are some lifestyle changes or home remedies that can be done to treat hyponatremia?
Here are lifestyle and home remedies that can help you deal with hyponatremia:
1. Overcoming related conditions
Getting treatment for conditions that contribute to hyponatremia, such as insufficiency of the adrenal glands, can prevent low sodium levels.
2. Educate yourself
If you have a medical condition that increases your risk of hyponatremia or if you are taking diuretic medications, you should be extra vigilant. It's a good idea to always consult with your doctor about the risks of medications.
3. Exercise properly
Exercise caution with high intensity. You should only drink as much fluid as the fluids lost by sweating. If thirst is gone, you don't need to drink anymore to prevent excess sodium levels.
4. Drink electrolyte drinks
Consider drinking energy drinks during strenuous activities. Ask your doctor about replacing water with an electrolyte drink when participating in events such as marathons, triathlons, and similar activities.
5. Drink enough water
Drinking water is important for your health. However, make sure you keep drinking water within reasonable limits. Generally, women drink 2.2 liters of water per day, and men only drink 3 liters.
If you are no longer thirsty and your urine is pale yellow, that means you are drinking enough water.
If you have any questions, consult your doctor for the best solution to your problem.
