Hyponatremia (Low Blood Sodium)
Description
Low sodium levels in the blood. Sodium is important for maintaining blood pressure, and for the normal functioning of nerves and muscles. Low sodium levels can cause lethal brain swelling. Causes of low sodium are: vomiting and diarrhea, burns, congestive heart failure, drugs that increase urine output (diuretics), kidney disease, liver cirrhosis, and syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone secretion (SIADH).
Symptoms
Confusion, lethargy, seizure, muscle weakness, muscle spasms, vomiting, headache.
Tests
A history and physical exam will be performed. Tests to determine the cause and the extent of the disorder will be done.
- CBC
- Chem 12
- UA
- X-Ray
- EKG
Treatment
The goal of therapy is to correct the sodium level and reverse the cause of the low sodium. Treatment includes: intravenous fluids with sodium, fluid restriction, and/or changing the patients medications.
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