Can certain medications cause low sodium in the human body?
Your medications could be causing your low sodium level. Pain killers and antidepressants, for example, make you sweat and urinate more than normal, leading to low sodium, MedlinePlus reports.
What drugs decrease sodium?
Tolvaptan (Samsca) is used to treat hyponatremia (low levels of sodium in the blood) in people who have heart failure (condition in which the heart cannot pump enough blood to all parts of the body), syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone (SIADH; condition in which the body produces too much of a certain natural substance that causes the body to retain water) or other conditions.
What is the best treatment for low blood sodium?
What Foods Are Good For Low Sodium Levels?
- Salter butter or margarine
- Olives
- Sauerkraut
- Bread
- Pasta
- Rice
- Cottage cheese
- Salted nuts etc
What medications lower sodium?
tolvaptan (samsca) is used to treat hyponatremia (low levels of sodium in the blood) in people who have heart failure (condition in which the heart cannot pump enough blood to all parts of the body), syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone (siadh; condition in which the body produces too much of a certain natural substance that causes the …
What medications decrease sodium levels?
drug induced low sodiumindapamide.sertraline.amiloride/hydrochlorothiazide.carbamazepine.furosemide.fluoxetine.
What causes sodium levels to drop 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.
What medical conditions cause low sodium?
Low blood sodium can be caused by:Burns that affect a large area of the body.Diarrhea.Diuretic medicines (water pills), which increase urine output and loss of sodium through the urine.Heart failure.Kidney diseases.Liver cirrhosis.Syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone secretion (SIADH)Sweating.More items...•
Can high blood pressure medication cause low sodium levels?
Low sodium can also be a side effect of some drugs and medications. These include: Diuretics, which are commonly prescribed for high blood pressure or heart failure. Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACE inhibitors), another common blood pressure medication.
How can I raise my sodium level quickly?
If you have severe, acute hyponatremia, you'll need more-aggressive treatment. Options include: Intravenous fluids. Your doctor may recommend IV sodium solution to slowly raise the sodium levels in your blood.
Can a person recover from low sodium levels?
Hyponatremia can result from multiple diseases that often are affecting the lungs, liver or brain, heart problems like congestive heart failure, or medications. Most people recover fully with their doctor's help.
What is the most common cause of hyponatremia?
Hyponatremia is decrease in serum sodium concentration < 136 mEq/L (< 136 mmol/L) caused by an excess of water relative to solute. Common causes include diuretic use, diarrhea, heart failure, liver disease, renal disease, and the syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone secretion (SIADH).
How long does it take to recover from low sodium?
If you have severe hyponatremia, you may need sodium to be replaced with intravenous (IV) fluids. 7 The IV fluid will contain water, sodium, and other key electrolytes. The medical team will restore the sodium level over the course of several hours or days, depending on the severity of your condition.
Will eating more salt help hyponatremia?
In elderly patients with a diet poor in protein and sodium, hyponatremia may be worsened by their low solute intake. The kidney's need to excrete solutes aids in water excretion. An increase in dietary protein and salt can help improve water excretion.
What does low sodium on a blood test mean?
Sodium blood test results that are lower than normal may be a sign of a condition, such as: A loss of sodium from diarrhea or vomiting. A condition that may cause the body to hold onto extra fluid (which dilutes sodium), including: Kidney diseases. Cirrhosis of the liver.
Can statins cause low sodium?
In theory, statins could cause fluid retention and hyponatremia through a mechanism similar to syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone secretion (SIADH), as they have been shown to increase renal expression of aquaporin-2 independent of arginine vasopressin and to reduce diuresis in rat models with central ...
What happens when your body is low on sodium?
Sodium is an electrolyte that plays an essential role in regulating levels of water and other substances in the body. When sodium levels in the blood become too low, it leads to hyponatremia, causing symptoms that include lethargy, confusion, and fatigue.
What causes low sodium (hyponatremia)?
Hyponatremia, or a low sodium level, is the most common electrolyte problem. Sodium levels in the blood are affected by how much sodium we eat or how much water we drink. However, the body adjusts for variations in our diet in order to maintain normal sodium levels. Below are some of the common causes of hyponatremia.
How do you treat low sodium levels?
The most important treatment for low sodium is treating the underlying cause. Your provider will make sure you are getting the best treatment for your illness while correcting your sodium levels.
What are the symptoms of low sodium levels?
The symptoms of hyponatremia are related to the way it causes fluid shifts in the brain. The severity of symptoms depends on both the sodium levels and how fast sodium levels change.
What is the condition where the sodium level falls to less than 135 mmol/L?
Hyponatremia is a condition where plasma sodium level falls to less than 135 mmol/L. The body maintains a careful balance of electrolytes like sodium, potassium and chloride within the cells as well as in fluid outside the cells like blood and body fluids.
What is it called when the sodium level in the blood is below 135?
The condition in which plasma level of sodium falls to below 135 mmol/L is called hyponatremia . Hyponatremia causes movement of excess water in the cells, causing them to swell. The cells of the brain in particular are unable to cope up with this swelling since they are confined within the bones of the skull.
What is SIADH in water?
SIADH is a condition where the control of ADH secretion is lost and it is secreted independent of the need to conserve water. This results in water retention and subsequent dilution of sodium levels, leading to hyponatremia.
What is hyponatremia in the brain?
Hyponatremia is an electrolyte imbalance causing low blood sodium levels. It is a dangerous condition that causes fluid retention in the brain leading to coma or even death. The causes, symptoms and treatment of hyponatremia are described below.
Why is salt used in cooking?
The same sodium chloride also is the reason for the salinity of our oceans. Excess sodium is excreted by the kidneys via the urine.
Why is sodium important?
Sodium is necessary to carry out some important functions like maintaining blood pressure. It also helps to maintain the function of nerves and muscles. Sodium enters the body through food and fluid intake. The common salt or table salt contains sodium chloride and it is used not only for cooking but also in preservatives.
What are the symptoms of hyponatremia?
Symptoms of hyponatremia may be mild like: Nausea, vomiting, headache, and muscle cramps, or Symptoms may be serious like alteration in mental status including confusion, seizures and coma.
What causes sodium to be lowered?
Heart, kidney and liver problems. Congestive heart failure and certain diseases affecting the kidneys or liver can cause fluids to accumulate in your body, which dilutes the sodium in your body, lowering the overall level. Syndrome of inappropriate anti-diuretic hormone (SIADH).
How to prevent low sodium?
Getting treatment for conditions that contribute to hyponatremia, such as adrenal gland insufficiency, can help prevent low blood sodium. Educate yourself. If you have a medical condition that increases your risk of hyponatremia or you take diuretic medications, be aware of the signs and symptoms of low blood sodium.
What happens when the sodium in your blood is abnormally low?
Hyponatremia occurs when the concentration of sodium in your blood is abnormally low. Sodium is an electrolyte, and it helps regulate the amount of water that's in and around your cells.
What is the normal sodium level?
A normal blood sodium level is between 135 and 145 milliequivalents per liter (mEq/L). Hyponatremia occurs when the sodium in your blood falls below 135 mEq/L. Many possible conditions and lifestyle factors can lead to hyponatremia, including: Certain medications. Some medications, such as some water pills (diuretics), ...
Why does my body lose sodium?
Chronic, severe vomiting or diarrhea and other causes of dehydration. This causes your body to lose electrolytes, such as sodium, and also increases ADH levels. Drinking too much water. Drinking excessive amounts of water can cause low sodium by overwhelming the kidneys' ability to excrete water.
Why do older people have hyponatremia?
Older adults may have more contributing factors for hyponatremia, including age-related changes, taking certain medications and a greater likelihood of developing a chronic disease that alters the body's sodium balance.
How long does it take for sodium to drop?
In chronic hyponatremia, sodium levels drop gradually over 48 hours or longer — and symptoms and complications are typically more moderate. In acute hyponatremia, sodium levels drop rapidly — resulting in potentially dangerous effects, such as rapid brain swelling, which can result in a coma and death.
How to treat low sodium?
It may include: cutting back on fluid intake. adjusting the dosage of diuretics. taking medications for symptoms such as headaches, nausea, and seizures. treating underlying conditions.
How to prevent low sodium levels?
Prevention of low blood sodium. 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 does it mean when your sodium is low?
The results of this test will help your doctor determine the cause of your low blood sodium: If your blood sodium levels are low but your urine sodium levels are high, your body is losing too much sodium. Low sodium levels in both your blood and your urine mean your body isn’t taking in enough sodium. There may also be too much water in your body.
What is the sodium level in your blood?
In other words, there’s either too much water or not enough sodium in your blood. Normally, your sodium level should be between 135 and 145 milliequivalents per liter.
Why is sodium important?
Sodium is an essential electrolyte that helps maintain the balance of water in and around your cells. It’s important for proper muscle and nerve function. It also helps maintain stable blood pressure levels. Insufficient sodium in your blood is also known as hyponatremia. It occurs when water and sodium are out of balance.
What happens if your sodium levels drop?
If they drop very quickly, your symptoms may be more severe. Losing sodium quickly is a medical emergency. It can cause loss of consciousness, seizures, and coma. Common symptoms of low blood sodium include: weakness. fatigue or low energy.
What is the best way to check for low sodium?
A blood test can help your doctor check for low sodium levels. Even if you don’t have symptoms of low blood sodium, your doctor may order a basic metabolic panel. This tests the amounts of electrolytes and minerals in your blood. A basic metabolic panel is often part of a routine physical.
What Causes Low Sodium in Blood?
Hyponatremia causes can be linked to direct and indirect factors. As our blood sodium levels drop, it is important to take note of recent lifestyle changes, any existing or new health conditions, and possible effects of prescribed medication.
What does it mean when your sodium is low?
Low sodium in blood is medically referred to as hyponatremia and can lead to serious consequences if left untreated. As we need sodium for proper functioning, it is important to understand what causes low levels ...
How to increase sodium levels in blood?
How to Increase Sodium Levels. Hyponatremia treatment starts with increasing sodium levels in the blood as determined by the cause. Under a doctor’s care, or as an existing hospital patient, you may receive a prescribed dose of diuretics, a sodium solution through intravenous injection or pill form, for the symptoms.
Why is sodium important?
As we need sodium for proper functioning, it is important to understand what causes low levels and to be aware of hyponatremia symptoms. We need sodium to help maintain blood pressure, regulate fluids, and aid in the function of our nerves and muscles.
How much sodium is in a V8?
An eight-ounce glass of the popular V8 brand may contain up to 500 milligrams of sodium, so be mindful of your daily intake. You can balance sodium levels with a low-sodium vegetable juice if in need of a smaller boost. 2. Maintain Adrenal Glands Production.
What happens when sodium levels drop?
This can cause mild symptoms of nausea and headaches and eventually lead to rapid brain swelling and death. A normal sodium level is between 135 to 145 milliequivalents per liter (mEq/L). Hyponatremia is present when levels drop below 135 mEq/L.
How much sodium is in a sports drink?
Not just for athletes, sports drinks can help to replenish sodium levels, especially after a strenuous workout or run. The best sports drinks will have 100 milligrams of sodium, 14 grams of carbohydrates, and 28 milligrams of potassium in an eight-ounce serving.
What are the risk factors for hyponatremia in emergency patients with AKI?
In the aforementioned Swiss-Austrian study, major risk factors for hyponatremia in emergency patients with AKI included the use of potassium-sparing or thiazide diuretics, a medical cause for emergency referral, and AKI stage. [ 3]
Is hyponatremia mutually exclusive?
Overall, the above causes are not mutually exclusive, with hyponatremia often resulting from multiple factors. [ 20]
Is hyponatremia a systemic inflammatory condition?
A study by Poddighe of 328 pediatric emergency department patients indicated that a systemic inflammatory condition is associated with mild hyponatremia during acute illnesses, finding, in the 98 patients determined to have (mostly mild ) hyponatremia, a link between lower plasma sodium levels and higher levels of C-reactive protein. [ 19]
Function
Pathophysiology
- The condition in which plasma level of sodium falls to below 135 mmol/L is called hyponatremia. Hyponatremia causes movement of excess water in the cells, causing them to swell. The cells of the brain in particular are unable to cope up with this swelling since they are confined within the bones of the skull. Thus, many of the symptoms caused by hy...
Mechanism of action
- When taking medication we must remember that some of the drugs cause hyponatremia as a side effect. Many among these bring about this effect by resulting in a condition called SIADH or Syndrome of Inappropriate Secretion of ADH. ADH (antidiuretic hormone) or vasopressin is a hormone secreted by a small gland near the brain called the pituitary. It plays an important role i…
Symptoms
- Symptoms of hyponatremia may be mild like: Nausea, vomiting, headache, and muscle cramps, or Symptoms may be serious like alteration in mental status including confusion, seizures and coma.
Treatment
- If hyponatremia is diagnosed, a careful history should be taken from the patients or their caregivers to find out if the patients are taking any medications that could result in hyponatremia. Stopping the medication usually helps to solve the problem.
Overview
- Hyponatremia occurs when the concentration of sodium in your blood is abnormally low. Sodium is an electrolyte, and it helps regulate the amount of water that's in and around your cells. In hyponatremia, one or more factors — ranging from an underlying medical condition to drinking too much water — cause the sodium in your body to become diluted. W...
Symptoms
- Hyponatremia signs and symptoms may include: 1. Nausea and vomiting 2. Headache 3. Confusion 4. Loss of energy, drowsiness and fatigue 5. Restlessness and irritability 6. Muscle weakness, spasms or cramps 7. Seizures 8. Coma
Causes
- Sodium plays a key role in your body. It helps maintain normal blood pressure, supports the work of your nerves and muscles, and regulates your body's fluid balance. A normal blood sodium level is between 135 and 145 milliequivalents per liter (mEq/L). Hyponatremia occurs when the sodium in your blood falls below 135 mEq/L. Many possible conditions and lifestyle factors can lead to h…
Risk Factors
- The following factors may increase your risk of hyponatremia: 1. Age.Older adults may have more contributing factors for hyponatremia, including age-related changes, taking certain medications and a greater likelihood of developing a chronic disease that alters the body's sodium balance. 2. Certain drugs.Medications that increase your risk of hyponatremia include thiazide diuretics as …
Complications
- In chronic hyponatremia, sodium levels drop gradually over 48 hours or longer — and symptoms and complications are typically more moderate. In acute hyponatremia, sodium levels drop rapidly — resulting in potentially dangerous effects, such as rapid brain swelling, which can result in a coma and death. Premenopausal women appear to be at the greatest risk of hyponatremia-relat…
Prevention
- The following measures may help you prevent hyponatremia: 1. Treat associated conditions.Getting treatment for conditions that contribute to hyponatremia, such as adrenal gland insufficiency, can help prevent low blood sodium. 2. Educate yourself.If you have a medical condition that increases your risk of hyponatremia or you take diuretic medications, be aware of …