What is the main cause of hypernatremia?

Although hypernatremia is most often due to water loss, it can also be caused by the intake of salt without water or the administration of hypertonic sodium solutions [2]. (See ‘Sodium overload’ below.) Hypernatremia due to water depletion is called dehydration.

What happens when sodium level is low?

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.

Who is at risk for hyponatremia?

Hyponatremia is more likely in people living with certain diseases, like kidney failure, congestive heart failure, and diseases affecting the lungs, liver or brain. It often occurs with pain after surgery. Also, people taking medications like diuretics and some antidepressants are more at risk for this condition.

What do you do for hypernatremia?

In patients with hypernatremia of longer or unknown duration, reducing the sodium concentration more slowly is prudent. Patients should be given intravenous 5% dextrose for acute hypernatremia or half-normal saline (0.45% sodium chloride) for chronic hypernatremia if unable to tolerate oral water.

What does natremia mean?

Natremia. Natremia is what is called the plasma concentration of sodium or Na + in human blood, which is under normal conditions of 135 to 145 mol / L. Increased sodium concentration in the blood is known as hypernatremia and its decrease, hyponatremia, both important for metabolism. The test is performed in the blood,…

Why is hyponatremia bad?

Hyponatremia can also result when sodium is lost from the body or when both sodium and fluid are lost from the body, for example, during prolonged sweating and severe vomiting or diarrhea. Medical conditions that can sometimes be associated with hyponatremia are adrenal insufficiency,…

What causes hyponatremia in adults?

Hyponatremia can be the result of illnesses and medications. Some causes that may be related to kidney disease include: Kidney failure – the kidneys cannot get rid of extra fluid from the body. Congestive heart failure – excess fluid builds up in the body. Diuretics (water pills) – makes the body get rid of more sodium in the urine.