Admin Table of Contents
What is the main cause of low sodium levels?
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.
Is low sodium anything to worry about?
If you know you are at risk of hyponatremia and start seeing symptoms, call your doctor. If your symptoms are severe, you may need immediate care. Seek emergency care if you have: Vomiting or nausea.
How do you fix low sodium levels?
Treatment for low blood sodium
- cutting back on fluid intake.
- adjusting the dosage of diuretics.
- taking medications for symptoms such as headaches, nausea, and seizures.
- treating underlying conditions.
- infusing an intravenous (IV) sodium solution.
How can I increase my sodium levels naturally?
Keeping your water and electrolyte levels in balance can help prevent low blood sodium. If you’re an athlete, it’s important to drink the right amount of water during exercise. You should also consider drinking rehydration beverages like Gatorade or Powerade.
What can I eat to increase my sodium levels?
Low-Sodium Alternatives
- Fresh and frozen vegetables without sauces.
- Low-sodium canned vegetables, sauces and juices.
- Fresh potatoes, frozen French fries and instant mashed potatoes.
- Low-salt tomato or V-8 juice.
- Most fresh, frozen and canned fruit.
- Dried fruits.
What are the side effects of low sodium levels?
One serious possible side effect of low salt levels in your body is the swelling of your brain within your skull, called cerebral edema. The swelling increases intracranial pressure, placing excess strain on your brain tissues.
What are the dangers of low sodium levels?
A low level of blood sodium is a sign that your body’s concentration of electrolytes has changed. This condition, which is called hyponatremia , can lead to several dangerous health problems. Early signs of low sodium levels are difficult to diagnose, but can progress to cause brain swelling, brain damage and possibly death when left untreated.
What to do if you have low sodium levels?
Intravenous Fluids. Intravenous fluids in the form of isotonic saline are used to treat more severe cases of low sodium levels. An isotonic saline solution has a similar concentration of saline, or salt, as the concentration of saline in body fluids. This helps stabilize sodium levels.
What medications cause low sodium levels?
Monitor Drugs. Certain medications can lead to an imbalance in sodium levels. If you regularly take diuretics, chlorpromazine, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors or the party drug Ecstasy, as well as some other medications, you may develop low sodium levels.