And, so, rapid climbs in the sodium level are more likely to cause more noticeable and serious symptoms.Ī normal sodium level is 135 to 145 mEq/L. If the level changes slowly, the body has time to adjust. The body doesn’t like fast changes in the sodium level. The symptoms and severity of a high sodium level depends on both the actual level and how fast the sodium level is rising. What are the symptoms of a high sodium level? Some people might also be in a mental state where they do not experience the drive to drink fluids, such as in older adults or people who have a condition that is making them confused or lethargic. Situations where it is difficult for someone to keep up with their fluid losses, such as someone with diabetes or gastroenteritis (the stomach flu). People who rely on a caretaker to help keep them hydrated, such as children, older adults, or people with disabilities. People in excessive heat who don’t have access to liquids. There are some situations where that thirst mechanism is broken or someone isn’t able to drink water when they need it. Most people will simply find something to drink, which rehydrates the body before a high sodium level becomes a problem. When a sodium level starts to rise, the brain triggers the sensation of thirst. The body has built-in mechanisms to naturally prevent hypernatremia. Who’s most at risk of a high sodium level? But this is still uncommon, especially because people who are getting a lot of IV fluids are usually having their sodium level checked frequently. When this happens, it’s usually from people getting IV fluids, which can have a lot of sodium in them. It’s hard to do this simply through dietary intake and eating salt foods. On rare occasions, people get a high sodium level if too much salt enters the body. Gastrointestinal losses, like vomiting or diarrhea.Įxcessive urination, from things like diuretic medications or increased blood sugar levels in people with diabetes. Sweating, such as from excessive heat, exercise, or even a fever. This can happen in a lot of different ways if people aren’t drinking enough fluids to replace that water they are losing. What causes a high sodium level (hypernatremia)?Ī high sodium level is usually caused by dehydration, so conditions that make the body lose water are often involved. Read on to find out the different causes of hypernatremia, how it is treated, and the potential complications. It’s also possible to develop hypernatremia if too much salt enters the body, but this is less common. This usually comes from dehydration, when there is not enough water in the body to properly dilute the sodium. Hypernatremia is a medical condition in which the sodium level is too high. Your sodium level is a measure of how much salt and water is in your body. Sodium is an electrolyte that is in your blood and the fluid that surrounds cells.
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