Sodium is an electrolyte that helps your body maintain stable water within and around its cells. Your body's sodium level represents how much sodium and water your body takes in through food and drink and how much it excretes through urine, stool and sweat. Your sodium level may become dangerously high or low if the water level in your body changes.
Normal Range
Your doctor will conduct a physical exam and inquire about your medical history if he suspects that your sodium levels are in a dangerous zone. However, signs and symptoms of high or low sodium could occur as a result of various health conditions, so he will need to confirm with urine or blood tests. The normal blood sodium level range is 135 to 145 mEq/L, though normal ranges may vary slightly among laboratories, according to MedlinePlus. Your doctor can help you interpret your test results.
High Sodium Levels
Some signs and symptoms of high sodium levels are increased thirst, dizziness when standing or altering positions, fever, confusion, seizures and coma. However, you may not notice any symptoms or signs unless your levels are significantly higher than normal. One reason you may develop abnormally high sodium levels is dehydration from insufficient fluid intake or extreme loss of fluids through prolonged diarrhea, vomiting or severe sweating. You may also develop high sodium levels if you have diabetes insipidus, if your body produces too much of the hormone aldosterone, if you have Cushing syndrome, or if your diet is high in sodium-rich foods. You could also develop high sodium levels if you take steroids, consume large amounts of licorice or take a certain type of blood pressure medication.
Low Sodium Levels
Nausea, vomiting, headache, confusion, fatigue, restlessness, muscle cramps, muscle weakness, seizures, loss of appetite and coma are some signs and symptoms you may exhibit if you have dangerously low sodium levels. Your levels may dip if you dilute your blood too much by drinking excessive water during a workout, or if your diet is low in sodium. You may also develop low sodium levels if you take water pills, become dehydrated, take the recreational drug ecstasy or go through an extended period of vomiting or diarrhea. Health conditions that could cause low sodium levels are kidney disease, hormonal changes, liver disease and congestive heart failure. Certain medications, such as antidepressants, can cause excess perspiration and lead to low sodium levels.
Treatment
The treatment for high or low sodium levels depends on the severity of your condition. If your condition is moderate, you may be able to alter your diet or make other lifestyle changes. For instance, your doctor may recommend that you temporarily cut down on your fluid intake if you have low sodium levels due to excessive consumption of water. Alternatively, she may recommend that you drink multiple quarts of fluid each day if your levels are too high from dehydration. In severe cases, you may need intravenous fluids to either decrease or increase your sodium levels. If you're retaining fluid and have dangerously high sodium levels, she may prescribe loop diuretics, which cause you to urinate out excess sodium. You may also need further treatment, such as hormone therapy or medications, to manage other symptoms until your sodium levels are back within a healthy range.
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