The signs and symptoms of hyponatremia vary from being totally subclinical to death. The great majority of the signs and symptoms of hyponatremia are neurological in nature. The reason for this was explained in the previous chapter. The lower the sodium concentration in plasma, the more apparent the symptoms are. However, in cases of hyponatremia lasting several days, the neurons develop mechanisms of adaptation in order to decrease cell swelling1.
When the sodium level is between 130 and 134 mEq/L, the symptoms are usually minimal. They may only be uncovered by psychological testing. Between 125 and 129 mEq/L the patient usually has trouble with attention and concentration and may start being more prone to falls (and fractures) and having muscle cramps. When the sodium concentration goes between 120-124 mEq/L, all the previous symptoms become more apparent and a encephalopathic picture starts showing. Between 115 and 119 mEq/L there is an increased risk of seizures added to encephalopathy and at values lower than 115 mEq/L the risk of death is significantly increased.
Marco A. Ramos MD, CCDS
References
1. Corinna Giuliani and Alessandro Peri, “Effects of Hyponatremia on the Brain,” Journal of Clinical Medicine 3, no. 4 (2014): 1163-77. https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm3041163
Any information or statement present in this post does not replace your health care provider’s advice or treatment. This blog does not provide medical advice, prescribe medications or therapies, or diagnose conditions, it only expresses an opinion. If you have a health-related question or condition, confer with your healthcare provider.
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Marco A. Ramos, “Hyponatremia for Everyone. #5. Signs and Symptoms of Hyponatremia,” SMO Blog (blog), August 23, 2018, https://steemit.com/health/@secondmedicalop/hyponatremia-for-everyone-5-signs-and-symptoms-of-hyponatremia
Read the other sections of this series:
Introduction
What Causes Hyponatremia? A
What Causes Hyponatremia? B
What Causes Hyponatremia? C
What Causes Hyponatremia? D
How Common is Hyponatremia?
What Happens when Someone has Hyponatremia?