Description
Low sodium levels in the blood. Sodium is important for maintaining blood pressure, and for the normal functioning of nerves and muscles. A sudden reduction in the blood sodium level or a severely low blood sodium level can cause lethal brain swelling. Causes of low sodium are: vomiting and diarrhea, burns, congestive heart failure, drugs that increase urine output (diuretics), kidney disease, cirrhosis, and syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone secretion (SIADH).
Symptoms
Confusion, lethargy, seizure, muscle weakness, muscle spasms, vomiting, headache.
Tests
Common tests used for diagnosis and treatment
Workup:
A history and physical exam will be performed. Tests to determine and monitor blood sodium levels and to identify the cause of the disorder will be performed.
Tests:
Complete blood count (CBC), Comprehensive metabolic panel (CMP), Electrocardiogram (EKG), Urinalysis (UA), X-ray
Other Specific Tests: Serum osmolality, urine osmolality, urine sodium
Specialists:
Internal Medicine, Pediatrics, Nephrology, Family Practice, Diabetes, Endocrinology and Metabolism, Pediatric Nephrology
Workup:
A history and physical exam will be performed. Tests to determine and monitor blood sodium levels and to identify the cause of the disorder will be performed.
Tests:
Complete blood count (CBC), Comprehensive metabolic panel (CMP), Electrocardiogram (EKG), Urinalysis (UA), X-ray
Other Specific Tests: Serum osmolality, urine osmolality, urine sodium
Specialists:
Internal Medicine, Pediatrics, Nephrology, Family Practice, Diabetes, Endocrinology and Metabolism, Pediatric Nephrology
Treatment
The goal of therapy is to gradually correct the sodium level and reverse the cause of the low sodium. Treatment includes: intravenous fluids with sodium, restriction of fluids with low sodium levels, and/or changing the patient's medications.