What is a concerning low sodium level?
What is a concerning low sodium level?
How low is too low? Your blood sodium level is normal if it’s 135 to 145 milliequivalents per liter (mEq/L). If it’s below 135 mEq/L, it’s hyponatremia. Your doctor will be able to tell you whether your level is too low.
When should I worry about my sodium level?
You might have certain symptoms that lead your doctor to suspect that your sodium level may be too high or too low. You might be confused, forgetful, or have problems with reasoning. Other symptoms your doctor may watch for include: Muscle cramps or twitching.
What happens when your sodium level is too low?
A normal sodium level is between 135 and 145 milliequivalents per liter of blood, according to MayoClinic.com. When your sodium levels drop below 135 milliequivalents per liter, you may begin to experience adverse symptoms. Sodium is responsible for maintaining fluid balance in your body, which helps to regulate your blood pressure.
When to see a doctor for low sodium?
Treatment for hyponatremia and hypochloremia depends on the underlying cause, as well as the severity of symptoms, so it’s important to see a health care provider to determine what is causing your low sodium or chloride levels.
What foods to avoid if your sodium level is low?
When looking for high-sodium drinks to increase levels, limit beverages that do not have any nutritional benefit. Drinks such as hot chocolate, flavored coffees, and fruit juices may have high sodium content but do not offer essential nutrients. A low sodium in blood level can lead to scary outcomes if ignored.
What causes low serum sodium and serum chloride?
Proper rehydrating after a workout means replacing lost water as well as electrolytes. Hyponatremia frequently goes hand-in-hand with hypochloremia. Conditions that cause low sodium levels in the blood usually also cause decreased levels of chloride, per the U.S. National Library of Medicine.
What are the symptoms of low sodium levels?
If you take diuretics regularly you are also at risk of developing low sodium levels. Illnesses that may cause hyponatremia include liver cirrhosis, congestive heart failure and kidney disease. The symptoms of low sodium levels include a headache that gets progressively worse, hallucinations, confusion, fatigue,…
What does it mean when you don’t have enough sodium in your blood?
What Is Hyponatremia? Hyponatremia (low blood sodium) is a condition that means you don’t have enough sodium in your blood. You need some sodium in your bloodstream to control how much water is in and around the cells in your body.
What happens when your sodium level goes down?
The drug Ecstasy can cause fatal cases of hyponatremia when combined with drinking and dancing, which all affect the levels of blood sodium. Acute Hyponatremia, where the blood sodium levels drop dramatically in a very short amount of time, can lead to brain swelling, coma and death.
What should your blood sodium level be if you have hyponatremia?
Your blood sodium level is normal if it’s 135 to 145 milliequivalents per liter (mEq/L). If it’s below 135 mEq/L, it’s hyponatremia. Your doctor will be able to tell you whether your level is too low.