Anyone with a personal or family history of hypertension knows about the dangers of high sodium levels. Too much salt can exacerbate high blood pressure and lead to long-term health problems. But too little sodium in the bloodstream is also a problem, and if the balance of water and sodium gets too far away from the norm, it can cause symptoms ranging from debilitating to life-threatening.
Normal Ranges
A test for the level of sodium in the blood expresses the result in milliequivalents, a unit based on the molecular weight of the element measured. One milliequivalent of sodium equals 23 mg, and the normal range for blood sodium is 136 to 145 milliequivalents per liter according to MayoClinic.com. If sodium slips below 135 milliequivalents per liter, a condition called hyponatremia can result.
Hyponatremia
There are three types of hyponatremia covering three broad situations in which water and sodium may fall out of balance in your body. Hypervolemic hyponatremia is a condition in which there is too much water in the body, rendering the amount of sodium insufficient for healthy blood levels. Euvolic hyponatremia occurs when you have enough water, but the amount of sodium in the blood is too low. Finally, hypovolemic hyponatremia is a condition involving both reduced water and reduced sodium in the body.
Causes
Many conditions can render you prone to hyponatremia. Drinking too much water can dilute the level of sodium in your blood, but most often, this type of imbalance comes from organ failure and the body's inability to eliminate water properly. A low-sodium diet, paired with diuretics or some pain medications, can leave total sodium levels low enough to cause problems. One common cause of hyponatremia is dehydration, either from exercise or illness; if you're not careful to replace electrolytes as well as lost water, a sodium imbalance can occur.
Symptoms
Early signs of hyponatremia include dizziness, headache, an inability to concentrate, and fatigue. Nausea and vomiting may also occur, which can easily make the condition much worse. As sodium dips lower, it can trigger muscle spasms and weakness, as well as seizures. Eventually, if untreated, hyponatremia can cause unconsciousness, coma, and even death.
Treatment
The best way to avoid short-term hyponatremia is to stay hydrated during exercise and periods of extended activity, and to use a sports drink or other beverage that includes electrolytes to maintain your sodium balance. Correcting chronic hyponatremia usually involves the treatment of the underlying condition that causes it, and may require short-term usage of intravenous fluids or medication to help maintain the proper sodium balance in the blood. Your doctor will also advise you on changes to your diet to avoid further problems.
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