🧂Understanding Hyponatremia: What Low Sodium Means for Your Health

Let’s talk about something that often flies under the radar but plays a big role in how your body functions: Your sodium levels!

Sodium is a vital electrolyte that helps regulate fluid balance, supports nerve and muscle function, and keeps your blood pressure in check. But when sodium levels drop too low, it can disrupt your health in some serious ways. This is called hyponatremia.

This guide will walk you through what hyponatremia is, what symptoms to watch for, possible causes, and how it’s treated.

🩺 What Is Hyponatremia?

Hyponatremia happens when there’s too little sodium in your blood. This is typically when levels fall below 135 mEq/L(milliequivalents per liter). This imbalance usually means there’s too much water in your system or not enough sodium to keep things running smoothly.

🚨 Signs & Symptoms of Low Sodium

Symptoms can sneak up slowly or show up suddenly. Mild cases may not cause much trouble at first, but more severe or sudden drops in sodium can become dangerous quickly.

Common symptoms may include:

• Headache

• Nausea or vomiting

• Muscle cramps or weakness

• Fatigue

• Brain fog or confusion

• Irritability

More severe symptoms (medical emergency):

• Seizures

• Loss of consciousness

• Overactive reflexes

• Coma

If someone is having a seizure or loses consciousness, call 911 immediately.

🔎 What Causes Hyponatremia?

There are many reasons why your sodium levels might dip too low. Some involve fluid loss, while others stem from medical conditions or medications.

Common causes:

• Severe vomiting or diarrhea

• Diuretic use (like water pills)

• Antidepressant or pain medications

• Drinking too much water, especially during intense exercise

• Dehydration

• Kidney, liver, or heart issues

• Adrenal gland disorders (like Addison’s)

• Underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism)

• SIADH (a condition where your body holds onto too much water)

• Diabetes insipidus (a rare condition causing frequent urination)

• Cushing’s syndrome (rare, but linked to high cortisol)

• Have you heard of strong athletes dying at the end of a marathon? This can be from too much water, depleting concentrated sodium levels.

❗Who’s Most at Risk?

You may be more likely to experience low sodium if you:

• Are over the age of 65

• Take diuretics or antidepressants

• Live in a hot climate

• Are a high-performance athlete (especially endurance athletes)

• Eat a very low-sodium diet

• Have heart, kidney, or adrenal disorders

If you fall into any of these categories, it’s a good idea to speak with your provider about monitoring electrolytes, especially during illness, travel, or changes in medications.

🧪 How Is Hyponatremia Diagnosed?

A simple blood test is usually the first step. Sodium is often checked as part of a basic metabolic panel during routine labs. If levels are low, your provider may also order a urine test to understand whether your body is:

• Losing too much sodium

• Diluting sodium by retaining too much water

• Struggling with an underlying condition

Other tests may include liver panels, chest imaging, or a CT scan if brain involvement is suspected.

🛠 How Is It Treated?

Treatment depends on the root cause and the severity of the sodium drop.

Possible treatments include:

• Cutting back on fluids (in certain cases)

• Adjusting medications (like diuretics)

• IV sodium solutions in emergencies

• Treating the underlying medical condition

• Addressing medication side effects

This is not a one-size-fits-all situation —-> treatment must be tailored to your body and your unique health story.

🛡 Prevention Tips

The key to prevention? Balance. Hydration is important, but so is making sure you're not overdoing it with water, especially if you sweat a lot, are sick, or have certain health conditions.

Tips to keep sodium in check:

• Drink water mindfully, especially during long workouts or hot days.

• Consider electrolytes (not just plain water) if you're exercising intensely or losing fluids through illness.

• Be mindful of fluid needs during fever, diarrhea, or pregnancy.

• Talk with your practitioner before starting or adjusting diuretics or medications.

🧂What About High Sodium (Hypernatremia)?

Just like too little sodium can cause problems, so can too much. This condition is called hypernatremia, and it usually results from dehydration, not enough water intake, or rare health conditions like diabetes insipidus.

Symptoms of hypernatremia can include confusion, twitching muscles, and even seizures in extreme cases. Staying well-hydrated throughout the day, with the right balance of fluids and electrolytes, is key!

Hyponatremia is more common than many people realize, especially in older adults or those with chronic conditions. Left untreated, it can become dangerous — but it’s also something we can often prevent and manage with awareness, testing, and targeted care.

As always, your body gives you signs, and tuning in matters.

• ✅ Ask your provider to check your sodium levels annually, especially if you’re on medications like diuretics or SSRIs.

• 💧 Use electrolytes during hot weather or exercise (coconut water, mineral drops, or electrolyte packets).

• 🧂 Don’t overly restrict sodium unless advised by a practitioner.

• 📋 Track symptoms like fatigue, brain fog, or muscle cramps that might be linked to electrolyte imbalances.