Content

• Steps
• Method 1 of 3: Medical Treatment for Low Sodium
• Method 2 of 3: Treating Low Blood Sodium Levels
• Method 3 of 3: Balancing fluid intake and fluid output
• Tips

Sodium is an essential electrolyte that regulates blood pressure and is essential for muscle and nerve cells to function properly. Hyponatremia is a pathology in which there is a low (below 135 mmol / L) content of sodium ions in the blood. Most often, hyponatremia develops due to burns, diarrhea, excessive sweating, vomiting, and the use of a number of medications (such as diuretics). Without timely treatment, hyponatremia can lead to muscle weakness, headaches, hallucinations, and even death. See your doctor if you experience symptoms of low sodium levels in your blood, and if you have severe symptoms, call an ambulance. Simply changing the drug or treating the cause of the condition will help raise blood sodium levels.

Steps

Method 1 of 3: Medical Treatment for Low Sodium

1. 1 If you have a medical condition that is at high risk for hyponaraemia, watch for symptoms. The presence of certain medical conditions increases the risk of hyponatremia. If you have been diagnosed with this, it means that you must take certain precautions and watch for symptoms. Factors that increase your risk of low sodium levels are:
   • kidney disease, heart disease, or liver cirrhosis;
   • age over 65;
   • regular intense physical activity (for example, triathlon, marathon, ultramarathon);
   • taking certain medications (such as antidepressants, diuretics for high blood pressure, and some pain relievers).
2. 2 See your doctor if you have symptoms of low sodium levels. Moderate to mild sodium deficiency usually does not require urgent medical attention, but if you are at risk, you should be on the lookout for symptoms. It should be remembered that the symptoms of a lack of sodium in the blood can be symptoms of another disease. See your doctor if you experience:
   • nausea;
   • headache;
   • cramping;
   • weakness.
3. 3 Get immediate medical attention if you have severe symptoms of sodium deficiency in your blood. Low electrolyte sodium levels can be life-threatening. This condition can lead to death if not properly cared for. See your doctor immediately if you experience any of the following symptoms:
   • nausea and vomiting;
   • confusion of consciousness;
   • convulsions;
   • loss of consciousness.
4. 4 Check your blood sodium level if you suspect it may be low. If you have any of the above symptoms and you suspect that they are related to hyponatremia, then see your doctor. The only way to confirm your suspicions is to donate blood or urine for analysis.
   • Low sodium levels are dangerous to life and health, so if you have the slightest suspicion, you should seek qualified help.

Method 2 of 3: Treating Low Blood Sodium Levels

1. 1 Stop taking any medications your doctor has prescribed for you. Some drugs can lower sodium levels in the blood, and the only way to combat this problem is to stop taking these drugs. Tell your doctor if you are taking any prescription or over-the-counter medications (including drugs). Some drugs that cause hyponatremia are:
   • thiazide diuretics;
   • selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs);
   • carbamazepine (Tegretol);
   • chlorpromazine ("Aminazin");
   • indapamide ("Indap");
   • theophylline (Teopek);
   • amiodarone ("Cordaron");
   • ecstasy (MDMA).
2. 2 Treat the disease causing low sodium levels. If the sodium level in your blood is low due to a medical condition, then you need to treat the condition and the sodium level is likely to return to normal. However, if the disease is incurable, then you need to take medications to increase sodium levels. A decrease in blood sodium levels can cause the following diseases and injuries:
   • kidney disease;
   • heart disease;
   • cirrhosis of the liver;
   • syndrome of inadequate secretion of antidiuretic hormone (Parkhon's syndrome, SNAP);
   • hypothyroidism;
   • hyperglycemia (high sugar levels);
   • severe burns;
   • gastrointestinal diseases accompanied by diarrhea and vomiting.
3. 3 Ask your doctor what medications you need to take to increase your sodium levels. If sodium levels are not raised by other methods, or there is no other way to raise sodium levels, then your doctor should prescribe a drug to increase sodium levels. Take these drugs strictly as directed by your doctor and do not exceed the recommended dosage.
   • Tolvaptan (Jinarkyu, Samska) is often prescribed to treat hyponatremia. Tell your doctor if you are taking any other drugs and follow the directions for taking this drug (if available in your country of residence). If you are taking tolvaptan, be sure to consult a nephrologist, otherwise there is a risk of raising your sodium levels too high.
4. 4 If your sodium level is very low, ask about intravenous injection. In shock due to a sharp drop in sodium levels in the blood, intravenous isotonic saline may be needed. This is usually required for acute or severe cases of hyponatremia. With the introduction of isotonic saline, the balance is restored, which is usually necessary in such situations.
   • Sepsis, or blood poisoning, can cause a sharp drop in blood sodium levels.

Method 3 of 3: Balancing fluid intake and fluid output

1. 1 Limit your water intake to 1–1.5 liters per day if your doctor recommends it. When a large amount of liquid is consumed, the concentration of sodium ions in the blood plasma may decrease. Reducing fluid intake can help raise blood sodium levels. However, you should definitely check with your doctor on this matter.
   • Restricting fluid intake usually helps with Parhon Syndrome (PBS).
   • Urination and feeling thirsty are the best indicators of whether you are drinking enough fluids. If your urine is light yellow and you don't feel thirsty, then your body has enough fluids.
2. 2 Drink sports drinks if you are exercising. If you exercise, or are just quite active during the day, or sweat a lot, then sports drinks can help you keep your blood sodium levels normal. Sports drinks help replenish the loss of sodium electrolytes in the blood. Consume sports drinks before, during, and after exercise.
   • Sports drinks contain electrolytes such as sodium and potassium that are important for the body.
3. 3 Do not use diuretics unless directed by your doctor. If you do not have a medical condition and your doctor has not prescribed diuretics for you, do not take them. Diuretics are better known as diuretics because they stimulate the flow of urine, preventing it from being retained in the body. These drugs can cause dehydration.
   • Thiazide diuretics cause a decrease in the level of sodium in the blood.

Tips

• Follow your doctor's recommendations for how much sodium you should include in your diet. Don't increase your sodium intake too much just to raise your blood levels.