Consequences Of Low Serum Sodium Levels

Sodium is the major electrolyte found in extracellular fluid in the body. It is needed for various functions in the body, and it is also important to maintain good health at normal levels. It is necessary to maintain water balance in your body for proper functioning of the nerves, blood pressure regulation, aiding absorption of major nutrients, regulation of acid-base balance and contraction of the muscles, in addition to other cellular chemical reactions. Low serum or blood sodium levels is referred to as hyponatremia. It can be caused by congestive heart failure, diarrhea, dehydration, excessive water intake, vomiting, kidney disease, burns , diuretic medications and liver disease, like cirrhosis.

Mental Status

Swelling in the brain can be caused by hyponatremia, which means you have low sodium serum levels. When your sodium serum levels are low, water may begin to accumulate in various organs in your body, such as your brain. Brain edema or swelling in hyponatremia leads to symptoms of decreased mental status. Symptoms of brain edema due to hyponatremia includes headaches, mental confusion, hallucinations, delirium and agitation. Low serum sodium levels can also decrease your level of alertness or consciousness, cause seizures or convulsions and lead to a coma.

Muscle Contraction

The ability to do activities like run, walk , lift and exercise are promoted by sodium. Your body needs sodium for transmission of nerve signals between your muscles and your brain. Muscle contraction occurs in the presence of sodium, potassium and calcium. Low serum sodium levels may inhibit or impair this process; this leads to the manifestation of certain muscular problems. General weakness, stomach cramps, muscle weakness and muscle cramps are effects of low serum sodium levels on the muscles.

Fluid Overload

Sodium helps to maintain the water balance of the body. It helps to prevent the accumulation of water in the body and dehydration or excessive loss of water. Low serum sodium levels can cause fluids to move from one compartment to another in the body, leading to accumulation of fluids in different parts of the body. Excess fluid in the blood vessels causes hypertension, a rapid pulse rate and weight gain with swelling or edema of the body. Fluid accumulation in the stomach leads to gastrointestinal symptoms, such as a loss of appetite, nausea, abdominal swelling and vomiting.