High sodium in the blood is known as hypernatremia. Sodium is important for many functions in the body. It helps regulate electrical currents in all cells in the body, and is especially important for nerve and muscle currents. Sodium also regulates the fluid content of the body. High sodium levels disrupt these functions.
Causes
Excessive amounts of sodium in the diet typically do not cause toxic levels of sodium in the blood in the absence of other diseases because the gastrointestinal tract and kidneys are able to slow down absorption and speed up elimination. However, over time excessive sodium in the diet can contribute to problems such as heart disease.
Acutely toxic levels of sodium in the blood are accompanied by low water volume, normal water volume or excessive water volume. High sodium and low water volume is caused by water loss such as severe diarrhea, inadequate intake, or excessive loss from urination or sweating. Normal water volume and high sodium is caused by diabetes insipidus, which is a problem involving a water-balancing hormone called ADH or vasopressin. High water and high sodium is caused by a problem with the adrenal gland or ingesting high sodium solutions such as seawater.
Diagnosis
The diagnosis of high blood sodium is made by a blood test. However, establishing the presence of high blood sodium is an incomplete diagnosis. Finding the cause involves taking a medical history that can elucidate risk factors such as fluid loss. A physical exam can reveal sweating or skin changes indicative of low or high fluid. Lab tests of the blood can test for hormone levels, and other tests such as urine sodium are helpful as well in establishing the cause.
Symptoms
A person may experience no symptoms of high sodium levels. If symptoms do occur, they may involve weakness, tiredness, swelling, irritability, seizures and coma.
Treatment
The treatment of high sodium involves a process of slowly correcting the fluid imbalance, as with intravenous fluid administration. While the fluid and sodium imbalance is corrected, the underlying cause, such as a hormone imbalance, can be diagnosed and addressed for long-term management. Fluid and sodium correction should be done very cautiously because of the risk of damage to cells from rapid fluid shifts.
References
- "Physiology"; Linda S.Costanzo; 4th Ed 2008
- "Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine"; Anthony S Fauci, et al.; 17th Ed 2008
- "Robbins and Cotran Pathologic Basis of Disease"; Vinay Kumar, et al.; 8th Ed 2009
Member Comments