Hypernatremia is excess sodium in your body. It is a dangerous condition that can lead to high blood pressure and even heart problems. These are life-threatening conditions if left untreated. What are the causes and symptoms of hypernatremia? What is its treatment?

Hypernatremiais a disturbance of the water and electrolyte balance, the essence of which isexcess sodiumin the body. You can talk about it when the level of this element in the blood exceeds 145 mmol / l.

Sodium is a very important element for the body. Together with other electrolytes - potassium and chlorine - it is responsible for maintaining its water-electrolyte and acid-base balance.

In addition, sodium and potassium maintain proper osmotic blood pressure and protect against water loss from the body. In the case of its excess, arterial hypertension and heart problems develop.

Contents:

  1. Hypernatremia (excess sodium) - causes
  2. Hypernatremia (excess sodium) - symptoms
  3. Hypernatremia (excess sodium) - effects
  4. Hypernatremia (excess sodium) - treatment

Hypernatremia (excess sodium) - causes

Hypernatremia can occur as a result of the body losing clean water, e.g. in the course of fever, diarrhea, vomiting and hyperglycemia, as well as in states of increased catabolism and hyperthyroidism.

Water loss can also occur as a result of the presence of mannitol or urea in the body, which increase the so-called osmotic diuresis (passing a large amount of urine).

Hypernatremia can also be associated with a deficiency of vasopressin, a hormone produced by the hypothalamus (part of the central nervous system). It is responsible for the proper water management of the body, i.e. it retains water and sodium in the body, thanks to which the body's level of hydration is correct.

However, the most common cause of excess sodium in the body are dietary mistakes - eating foods rich in products containing a significant amount of s alt (cold cuts, smoked fish and meat, yellow cheese, chips, s alty peanuts, sticks, powdered soups, instant meals) monosodium glutamate) and insufficient fluid intake, especially in young children, the elderly, and the unconscious.

Hypernatremia can also develop incourse of diabetes insipidus and drug induced diabetes (including vaptans, lithium s alts). The causes ofexcess sodium in the bodymay also be defects in urine concentrating (chronic tubulo-interstitial nephritis, low-protein diet)

Hypernatremia may also result from the excessive supply of hypertonic NaCl solutions, sodium bicarbonate or mineralocorticoids (this type of hypernatremia occurs most often in a hospital setting).

Hypernatremia (excess sodium) - symptoms

The symptoms of hypernatremia depend on how quickly and in what amounts the sodium elevation is high. If the cause of hypernatremia is the loss of water by the body, the symptoms associated with dehydration predominate:

  • increased thirst
  • dry mucous membranes
  • nausea
  • weariness
  • muscle weakness
  • high blood pressure (>145/95 mmHg)
  • palpitations
  • headaches (especially in the back of the head)
  • disturbances in the state of consciousness
  • irritation
  • sleepiness

In the most severe case, it can lead to coma and death.

However, in hypernatremia, which is the result of fluid overload, the following symptoms dominate:

  • jugular vein overflow
  • pulmonary congestion
  • puffiness and seepage
Important

How much s alt in the diet?

According to the World He alth Organization, the daily dose of s alt should not exceed 5 g (one level teaspoon). On the other hand, according to the dietary recommendations in the USA, the upper limit of dietary s alt intake is 2,300 mg per day. Unfortunately, the research of the Warsaw University of Life Sciences shows that the average Pole consumes as much as 7.6 g of s alt a day!

  • How much s alt to eat? Dietary sodium requirement

Hypernatremia (excess sodium) - effects

The effects of hypernatremia are not only arterial hypertension and heart disorders. Excess sodium in the diet can also lead to the formation of kidney stones, as excess sodium in the diet increases the excretion of calcium in the urine, which is the cause of this condition.

Scientists argue that excess sodium increases the risk of developing stomach cancer, because s alt can damage the lining of the stomach and initiate the formation of cancer cells. Too much sodium can also lead to a stroke.

Hypernatremia (excess sodium) - treatment

Treatment of hypernatraemia resulting from dehydration is the administration of low-sodium rehydration fluids. Your doctor may also decide to start dehydrating medications to increase kidney sodium loss.

  • Electrolytes - electrolyte testing (ionogram). Standards and test results

Hypernatremia caused by hyperhydration is best treated with renal replacement therapy, i.e. hemodialysis, which removes waste products and water, or drugs and toxins from the blood. Treatment of hypernatraemia in the course of diabetes insipidus should be causal.

A low-sodium diet is also important, as it prevents cardiovascular diseases, including arterial hypertension. For people struggling with hypermatremia, the DASH diet is also recommended because it allows you to lower blood pressure.

Category:

Cardiology