Low Sodium Levels

Generally, most people are only aware of the health dangers of high sodium levels. This is mainly because low sodium levels in blood is comparatively rare, especially, in Americans whose food generally has high salt content. The condition where a body has low sodium is also known as hyponatremia. In the human body, about 40% of sodium is contained in our bones, 55% in blood plasma and 2 - 5% is contained within the organs and cells. It is necessary for the sodium to be maintained at a certain level or concentration in the blood, for the body to function properly. Hyponatremia occurs when the level of sodium in the blood is diluted by too much water intake.

Low Sodium Levels Symptoms

Sodium plays an important role for proper functioning of our body. It is an element and controls the volume of fluid in the body along with helping in maintaining acid base level. Low sodium in the blood can cause people to have memory loss and makes it hard for them to focus. The first symptoms of low sodium are fatigue, weakness and nausea. These symptoms are easy to ignore or overlook. Also, if the sodium levels continue to drop, then symptoms include confusion, aggression and dizziness. It can also lead to seizures and coma, ultimately proving to be fatal.

Low Sodium Levels Causes

Diuretic Drugs
Diuretic drugs are one of the low sodium level causes. These drugs are used to treat high blood pressure. They make the kidney produce more urine which causes the sodium to be washed away. This is especially true when the patient is on a low sodium diet or for an elderly person who has reduced ability to regulate the concentration of various nutrients in the bloodstream. The most common diuretic drugs that cause low sodium are Lasix, Thiazides and Bumex.

Drinking Excess Water
Drinking excess water can cause hyponatremia. This is because, when the water is absorbed into the bloodstream, it can dilute the sodium in the blood. This is a rare cause of low sodium and may be found in athletes as they need to hydrate themselves frequently. Besides water, drinking excessive beer (as it is mainly water and low in sodium) can also cause low sodium when combined with a poor diet.

Severe Diarrhea: Severe diarrhea can also lead to low levels of sodiums. Diarrhea causes the daily output of eight to ten liters of fluid person from the large intestines, which results in the loss of large amounts of water, sodium and various nutrients. In some cases, high level of sodium can be lost which may lead to sodium deficiency.

Excessive Sweating : Excessive sweating is mainly seen in athletes, especially marathon runners. During a race on a hot day, it can be challenging for the body to preserve sodium levels. Races of 25 - 50 miles can result in loss of sweat and water which contains both sodium and water. Research shows that 30% of marathon runners experience hyponatremia during a race. Such runners require immediate medical care.

Low Sodium Levels Treatment

Moderate hyponatremia, which is caused because of use of diuretic drugs can be treated by instructions to drink less water everyday. Severe hyponatremia, can be treated by infusing a solution of 5% sodium into the bloodstream. When hyponatremia is severe, it is usually a medical emergency that can be treated only in a hospital. Usually, intravenous fluids are introduced into the blood to increase sodium levels.

If you experience any of the symptoms of low sodium given below, especially more serious symptoms like confusion or muscle twitching, it is crucial to see a doctor immediately. As low sodium levels in the body can have a severe effects on the brain, letting the problem go too far can even lead to coma or death.