Overview Hypernatremia is the medical term used to describe having too much sodium in the blood. Sodium is an important nutrient for proper functioning of the body. Most of the body’s sodium is found in the blood. It’s also a necessary part of the body’s lymph fluids and cells. In many cases, hypernatremia is mild and doesn’t cause serious problems. However, in order to prevent or reverse problems caused by hypernatremia, it’s important to correct high sodium levels. Read on to learn more about the role of sodium and when high levels may result in a medical emergency. Hypernatremia can occur when there is a too much water loss or too much sodium gain in the body. The result is too little body water for the amount of total body sodium. Changes in water intake or water loss can affect the regulation of the concentration of sodium in the blood. Changes in fluid can be caused by:
In healthy people, thirst and urine concentration are triggered by receptors in the brain that recognize the need for fluid or sodium correction. This normally results in increased water intake or changes in the amount of sodium passed in the urine. That can rapidly correct hypernatremia. The main symptom of hypernatremia is excessive thirst. Other symptoms are lethargy, which is extreme fatigue and lack of energy, and possibly confusion. Advanced cases may also cause muscle twitching or spasms. That’s because sodium is important for how muscles and nerves work. With severe elevations of sodium, seizures and coma may occur. Severe symptoms are rare and usually found only with rapid and large rises of sodium in the blood plasma. Older adults are at an increased risk for hypernatremia. That’s because as you grow older, you’re more likely to have a decreased sense of thirst. You may also be more prone to illnesses that affect water or sodium balance. Certain medical conditions also increase your risk for hypernatremia, including: Hypernatremia is often diagnosed through blood tests. Urine tests can also be used to identify high levels of sodium along with urine concentration. Both blood and urine tests are fast, minimally invasive tests that require no preparation. Hypernatremia tends to develop as a result of underlying conditions. Other tests depend on your medical history and additional symptoms. Hypernatremia can occur rapidly (within 24 hours) or develop more slowly over time (more than 24 to 48 hours). The speed of onset will help your doctor determine a treatment plan. All treatment is based on correcting the fluid and sodium balance in your body. Rapidly developing hypernatremia will be treated more aggressively than hypernatremia that develops more slowly. For mild cases, you may be able to treat the condition by increasing your fluid intake. For more severe cases, you’ll likely be connected to an IV drip. That’s used to intravenously supply fluid to your blood. Your doctor will also monitor you to see if your sodium levels are improving, and they may adjust your fluid concentration accordingly. The outlook for hypernatremia is generally very good. This is especially true if the condition is found early, or if underlying problems are corrected or controlled. Hypernatremia can often be treated outside the hospital. If hospitalization is needed, close monitoring helps ensure a healthy outcome. Medically Reviewed by Dan Brennan, MD on April 30, 2021 Hypernatremia is the medical term to describe too much sodium in your blood. Sodium is one of the body's electrolytes — found mostly in your blood — that is important for many bodily functions. However, when there's too much, it is an imbalance in your body's electrolytes and can cause serious problems. Sodium is an important nutrient in your body. It helps to regulate your blood volume, your blood pressure, the pH of your body, and the electrical conductivity of your cells. This means that sodium not only helps balance the amount of water that is on the inside or outside of your cells, but it's also critical for how your muscles and nerves work. Your kidneys help regulate how much sodium is in your body — most of it is removed through urine, and a small amount comes out in your sweat. Hypernatremia occurs when the balance of water and sodium in your blood is off: there's too much sodium or not enough water. This can happen when too much water is lost or too much sodium is gained (or accumulated) in the body. Doctors define hypernatremia as a measurement of over 145 milliequivalents per liter — a normal level is considered between 136—145 milliequivalents per liter. In healthy people, the brain automatically balances the amount of water and sodium in your body by controlling intake and output — getting thirsty or urinating. If your brain detects that your body has elevated sodium levels, it can regulate the amount by increasing how much is removed from your bloodstream by your kidneys and can also make you drink water by making you feel thirsty. Hypernatremia is usually a symptom of dehydration. Most cases of hypernatremia are mild and easily corrected by fixing dehydration. Usually, when a person starts to get dehydrated and feel thirsty, they are sensing a mild case of hypernatremia and reversing it by drinking water or an electrolyte-containing sports drink. However, more moderate cases can require medical care. Symptoms of hypernatremia include: Hypernatremia can be very serious, especially in small children. It can be caused by dehydration due to diarrhea, vomiting, excessive sweating, significant burns, or other systemic problems. Similarly, hypernatremia can cause very serious problems in the elderly. Sometimes as the brain ages, it does not pick up on electrolyte imbalances as quickly, leading to too much sodium in your blood. Older people can also have kidney problems that can contribute to hypernatremia. A doctor can diagnose hypernatremia through a blood test. Sometimes, urine tests can be used as well. The treatment for hypernatremia is to get the balance of fluid and sodium in your body back to the ideal level. If your hypernatremia is more than mild, your doctor will likely replace the fluids in your body using an IV. This will supply fluids directly into your blood system, balancing the amount of sodium that is in your blood. In most cases, hypernatremia is fixable. However, your doctor will want to determine the underlying cause of your hypernatremia to make sure there aren't other problems in your brain or kidneys that need to be treated. One of the most severe complications of hypernatremia is a ruptured blood vessel in your brain. Called a subarachnoid or subdural hemorrhage, this kind of bleeding in your brain can cause permanent brain damage or death. If doctors are able to detect and begin treating hypernatremia before it gets too severe, restoring the balance of sodium and fluids in your body, they can prevent serious complications like brain damage, seizure, or death. The easiest way to prevent hypernatremia is to ensure that you are well hydrated and consuming a reasonable amount of sodium. It is recommended that the average adult drink between four to six cups of water each day. If you are on certain medications, very active, in a hot climate, or at an elevated altitude, you should drink more to avoid dehydration and hypernatremia. The American Heart Association recommends an ideal limit of 1,500 milligrams per day of sodium for a healthy adult. The organization notes that the average intake for an American is more than 3,400 milligrams per day — an amount that can contribute to imbalances like hypernatremia, among other serious health problems. The AHA recommends swapping prepackaged and restaurant food for homemade versions and keeping an eye on your sodium intake. A healthy, balanced diet and proper hydration should help most people avoid hypernatremia. However, hypernatremia can be the result of an electrolyte imbalance caused by other conditions. In this case, it is a medical emergency and is manageable by doctors.
Sodium regulates blood volume and has a vital role in the normal functioning of muscles and nerves. But consuming too much sodium can lead to high blood pressure, and high levels of sodium in your system can be life threatening. The best way to reduce the levels of sodium in your body is to lower the amount of sodium you consume. Choose fresh and low-sodium foods, avoid processed and prepared foods and watch for hidden sources of sodium.
Drink plenty of water because dehydration can cause high sodium. Women should aim for 9 cups, and men need about 13 cups daily, according to MayoClinic.com. The Harvard School of Public Health recommends choosing foods that have 300 milligrams or sodium or less per serving.
Do not use salt substitutes that contain potassium without first talking with your physician. Excess potassium can be dangerous if you have diabetes or kidney disease, or if you’re taking certain medications.
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Sandi Busch received a Bachelor of Arts in psychology, then pursued training in nursing and nutrition. She taught families to plan and prepare special diets, worked as a therapeutic support specialist, and now writes about her favorite topics – nutrition, food, families and parenting – for hospitals and trade magazines. |
How to reduce high sodium level in blood
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