What does it mean when your sodium levels are low?

What does it mean when your sodium levels are low?

In hyponatremia, the level of sodium in blood is too 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.

How do you raise your sodium level?

Intravenous (IV) fluids with a high-concentration of sodium, and/or diuretics to raise your blood sodium levels. Loop Diuretics – also known as “water pills” as they work to raise blood sodium levels, by making you urinate out extra fluid.

How do you fix low sodium?

Treatment

1. Intravenous fluids. Your doctor may recommend IV sodium solution to slowly raise the sodium levels in your blood.
2. Medications. You may take medications to manage the signs and symptoms of hyponatremia, such as headaches, nausea and seizures.

Does low sodium mean cancer?

—A low serum sodium may portend a diagnosis of cancer according to the results of a nationwide, population-based cohort study of more than 16,000 Danish men and women with newly detected hyponatremia. Physicians may soon have a new way to help predict cancer at earlier stages.

What should I drink for low sodium?

You should also consider drinking rehydration beverages like Gatorade or Powerade. These drinks contain electrolytes, and help replenish sodium lost through sweating. These drinks are also helpful if you lose a lot of fluids through vomiting or diarrhea.

How much water should you drink a day with low sodium?

During a typical day, women should aim to drink 2.2 liters of fluids. Men should aim for 3 liters. When you’re adequately hydrated, your urine will be pale yellow or clear, and you won’t feel thirsty.

What drink is good for low sodium?

Coconut water is naturally low in sugar and contains a variety of electrolytes, including sodium, potassium, calcium, and magnesium ( 2 ). At 46 calories per cup (237 ml), it’s also a healthier alternative to sodas, juices, and traditional sports drinks ( 2 ).

What are the symptoms and causes of low sodium?

Headache, nausea, weakness, confusion or lack of energy are typical symptoms of low sodium, also called hyponatremia . However, you may not experience any symptoms. Hyponatremia is caused by several diseases that affect water and sodium levels.

What does it mean if you have low sodium?

Low sodium levels may be a sign of dehydration or organ failure. The condition in which your blood level of sodium is abnormally low is called hyponatremia .

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 are the complications of low sodium?

Complications of Low Sodium. Like potassium, having slightly low sodium levels may not cause any distinguishable symptoms. Chronic low sodium levels are much more likely to sneak by undetected than sudden drops in the electrolyte. Possible symptoms of low sodium levels include muscle spasms, nausea, fatigue, irritability and headache.