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The frightening thing about hyponatremia is that it creeps up on you. The symptoms of this disorder are normally brushed off. This condition is nothing to brush off; can lead to death. It starts with common ailments like fatigue; everybody gets tired, right? That’s one of the reasons we frequently don’t take it seriously. This ailment, if not caught, keeps worsening. Hyponatremia is so easily unnoticed, we often don’t even tell our doctors about the systems we have.
Sodium is essential in maintaining healthy internal functions. Hyponatremia is a disorder of an electrolyte imbalance, where the sodium concentration in serum in your body is lower than what is needed to remain healthy. Sodium levels in your blood maintain your blood pressure. It supports the work of nerves, muscles, and regulates all your fluid balances. When sodium levels in your blood are too low, extra water enters your cells and the cells swell. Because your brain is encased by your skull, there is no relief; when this happens, consequences occur. It is especially dangerous when brain swelling occurs.
Who hasn’t felt fatigued and irritable after a hard week of work? Well, first signs include fatigue, loss of energy, restlessness, and irritability. Next symptoms can be nausea and vomiting…commonly people think of the flu. Other symptoms are headaches coupled with confusion. There may also be muscle spasms and cramps. Next symptoms are more severe and include seizures, unconsciousness, and even death. You must talk to your doctor when you have any of these red flags.
This illness is especially dangerous for aging folks. They commonly don’t eat enough; they often ignore symptoms as just part of aging, so the doctor never is aware of any of the tell-tale symptoms. In chronic hyponatremia, sodium levels can drop so fast, that perilous conditions can occur swiftly; factually, within weeks and even days.
Talk to your doctor at the first sign of symptoms. Your doctor knows just what tests to run. Tests will confirm sodium levels and get you or your loved one back on track.
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