When there is shortage of sodium in the body fluids, this condition is called hyponatremia. It is also called by other names like dilutional hyponatremia and hypervolemic hyuponatremia. This occurs when there is imbalance in the ions of the metabolism. When the normal level of sodium in the blood reduces due to some reason, this disorder is said to develop.
Sodium is one of the essential nutrients that our body requires to regulate blood pressure, to maintain balance of fluids and for carrying out normal functions of nervous system.
Causes :
Hyponatremia occurs when there is shortage of sodium ions in the body fluids. It is also caused by water intoxication since as soon as there is scarcity of sodium ions in the blood, water moves into the cells to restore balance, which may cause swelling. Though every cell of the body develops inflammation, it can somewhat balance the position. But this is not the case with brain cells which gets most affected by this condition.
The following three conditions are known to cause hyponatremia in our body.
- When the water content of the body increases, without increase in sodium ions, this condition is described as euvolemic hyponatremia.
- Hypervolemic hyponatremia is a situation in which there would be increase in both water content and sodium ions in the body, but comparatively, water particles will be more than the other.
- Hypovolemic hyponatremia is a process when there is sudden loss of water as well as sodium ions in the body, but the loss of sodium ions will be more than water.
- Some of the other causes of hyponatremia are diarrhea, vomiting, congestive heart failure, kidney problem, cirrhosis (liver) and having diuretic drugs which discharge more urine from the body.
- Sometimes, having more water while doing strenuous exercise, will give rise to increased water particles and reduce sodium ions.
Symptoms :