Hyponatremia

Definition
Hyponatremia an abnormally low concentration of sodium in the blood. Too little sodium can cause cells
to malfunction, and extremely low sodium can be fatal. Hyponatremia has many causes including
medications such as diuretics andantidepressants, hypothyroidism, cortisone deficiency (such as
in Addison's disease),dehydration, vomiting or  diarrhea, severe  burns, kidney or  heart failure, and
cirrhosis.

Signs and Symptoms

Hyponatremia signs and symptoms may include:

 Nausea and vomiting

 Appetite loss
 Restlessness and irritability
 Seizures
 bright red, cold skin
 very low energy
Medical Management
 Encourage food and fluids with a high sodium content
 Take daily body weights
 Accurately monitor I and O
 Monitor for changes in neurologic status
 Monitor serum sodium levels
 Monitor for signs and symptoms of fluid overload or dehydration

Nutritional Management
There is a disorder called hyponatremia, which means "low sodium." This occurs when someone drinks
enormous amounts of water and/or loses too much salt from the body in a short time. Drinking an
enormous amount of water overwhelms the kidneys and they can't process and eliminate the water
fast enough, so the amount of sodium in your blood drops too low. Your brain needs sodium and when
the sodium levels drop this low a person feels confusion and lethargy. Severe hyponatremia can lead to
twitching, seizures and even death.  Hyponatremia can happen to a marathon runner who drinks
gallons of water and doesn't replace the electrolytes during a race, or to people with certain
psychological disorders who can't make themselves stop drinking water. Hyponatremia can also occur
in older people and people with certain medical conditions. Hyponatremia won't happen to a healthy
person who spreads out his or her water intake over the course of the day. This means it is fine to drink
two gallons of water over 16 hours, but drinking two gallons of water all in one sitting can be very bad.

a.) What to eat.

 Pureed granola
 Pureed rice
 Pureed wheat
 Milk
 Non-dairy creamer
 Vegetable juice - 1/2 cup
 Fruit drinks
 Kool-Aid
 Cereals

b.) What not to eat.

 Noodle soups
 Eggs (whole/fried/scrambled)
 Catsup (ketchup)
 Ham
 Meat pizza