Numerous conditions cause low sodium or potassium levels. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center decreased sodium levels, or hyponatremia, is a metabolic condition characterized by a lack of sodium in the body fluids outside your cells. Decreased potassium levels, or hypokalemia, is an abnormally low level of potassium in your blood. Certain medical conditions may cause you to experience both hyponatremia and hypokalemia.
Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia
Congenital adrenal hyperplasia can plummet sodium and potassium levels. According to the MedlinePlus website, congenital adrenal hyperplasia describes a group of inherited disorders that affect your adrenal glands. Your adrenal glands are triangular-shaped endocrine glands that sit on top of your kidneys and release certain hormones. Congenital adrenal hyperplasia affects both girls and boys, and is characterized by a deficiency of an enzyme needed to manufacture the hormones cortisol and aldosterone. Common signs and symptoms associated with congenital adrenal hyperplasia include low sodium and potassium levels, vomiting, dehydration, weight loss, early puberty, infertility and irregular menstrual cycles in women. The MedlinePlus website states that approximately 1 in 10,000 to 18,000 children are born with congenital adrenal hyperplasia.
Gastroenteritis
Gastroenteritis can cause sodium and potassium levels to drop. The Cleveland Clinic states that gastroenteritis is an inflammation of your gastrointestinal tract, or the pathway responsible for absorbing nutrients from the food you consume. Your gastrointestinal tract includes your mouth, esophagus, stomach and intestines. Gastroenteritis is sometimes called stomach flu, although it is unrelated to influenza. Common signs and symptoms associated with gastroenteritis include low sodium and potassium levels, abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, fever, unintentional weight loss, dehydration, muscle pain, joint stiffness and incontinence, or loss of stool control. According to the Cleveland Clinic, gastroenteritis-related diarrhea depletes your body of fluids and electrolytes, including sodium and potassium.
Pyloric Stenosis
Pyloric stenosis can decrease sodium and potassium levels. According to the Cincinnati Children's Hospital, pyloric stenosis is the narrowing of the lower part of your stomach, or pylorus, that funnels into your small intestine. If you have pyloric stenosis, the muscles in this part of your stomach become thicker, impairing the ability of food from moving through your stomach to your intestines. Pyloric stenosis most commonly affects infants between two and 8 weeks of age. Approximately one infant out of every 500 to 1,000 have pyloric stenosis. Common signs and symptoms associated with pyloric stenosis include low sodium and potassium levels, projectile vomiting and persistent hunger. MayoClinic.com states that stomach contractions, dehydration, changes in bowel movements and weight problems are also common signs and symptoms associated with pyloric stenosis.
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