Hyponatremia, especially acute hyponatremia, is a dangerous electrolyte imbalance in which your body's serum sodium levels become too low. If you develop the symptoms of hyponatremia and are exposed to any of the risk factors associated with the condition, your doctor will likely perform a blood and/or urine test to test the sodium level --- as well as other important electrolyte levels --- in your blood. If your doctor diagnoses you with hyponatremia, in addition to beginning treatment, she will educate you about this condition, as well as how you can avoid it in the future.
Symptoms
The early symptoms of hyponatremia include malaise and nausea, which are often followed by a headache and fatigue, the "Western Journal of Medicine" reports. If you ignore these symptoms, you are at risk for further complications as your serum sodium level continues to fall. These complications include the potential for "seizures, coma, and respiratory arrest." The Drugs.com website also suggests that irritability, confusion, hallucinations, loss of appetite and vomiting are symptoms of hyponatremia.
Types
The University of Maryland Medical Center outlines three types of hyponatremia. Hypovolemic hyponatremia occurs when your body is losing both water and salt; however, salt loss is greater. Hypervolemic hyponatremia is the opposite of hypovolemic, and occurs when your body is losing both water and salt, but in this case, the water loss is greater. The center defines euvolemic hyponatremia as an increase in your body's total water. Although no actual salt loss takes place in this scenario, the body's salt is diluted by the additional water, resulting in an inadequate sodium-to-water ratio.
Causes
The Mayo Clinic suggests that hypovolemic hyponatremia results from the dehydration occurring from inadequate fluid replacement during strenuous exercise or illnesses associated with fever, vomiting and diarrhea. Hypervolemic hypernatremia can result from impaired liver or kidney function, as well as heart failure. Some medications, such as diuretics, and cancer are two of the underlying causes of euvolemic hyponatremia.
Associated Risk Factors
One major risk factor for hyponatremia is age. Older adults are more likely to develop the disorders that result in this electrolyte imbalance, such as liver and kidney disease, heart failure and chronic and terminal illnesses. Diet is an important risk factor. Take care to consume adequate dietary sodium, particularly if you have other risk factors. Participation in strenuous activities and sports puts you at risk for the condition if you are not careful to maintain adequate hydration when sweating. If you are taking a prescription diuretic, talk to your doctor about preventing hyponatremia.
Treatment
According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, treatment "depends on the specific type of hyponatremia." It is important to diagnose the underlying cause of the imbalance. If the cause of hyponatremia is cancer, surgery, chemotherapy and/or radiation may eventually correct the condition. Also depending on whether the hyponatremia is hypo-, hyper- or euvolemic, other interventions include medication, intravenous fluid replacement and the restriction of water intake.
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