Hyponatremia facts for kids

Hyponatremia (also called hyponatraemia in British English) is a health problem where your body doesn't have enough salt, or sodium, in your blood. It usually happens when there is too much water in your body.

What is Hyponatremia?

Hyponatremia means "low sodium in the blood." Sodium is a very important mineral. It helps your body's cells work correctly. It also helps keep the right balance of fluids in and around your cells. When you have too much water compared to the amount of sodium, your body's balance gets upset.

Why Does It Happen?

This condition often happens when your body holds onto too much water. This can be because of other health problems. For example, it can happen with certain heart problems. It can also be linked to a condition called syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone (SIADH). This condition makes your body produce too much of a hormone that tells your kidneys to hold onto water.

Sometimes, hyponatremia can happen if someone drinks a huge amount of water very quickly. This is more common in certain situations, like during very long sports events.

Who Can Get It?

Anyone can get hyponatremia, but some people are more at risk.

• People with certain long-term health conditions.
• Older adults.
• Athletes who do very long and intense exercises, like marathon runners. If these runners drink too much plain water without replacing salts, it can cause problems. Drinking too much water can make it harder for marathon runners to perform well.

How Does It Affect You?

When your sodium levels are too low, your cells can start to swell. This is especially dangerous for brain cells. Common signs of hyponatremia can include:

• Feeling sick to your stomach or throwing up.
• Having a headache.
• Feeling confused or dizzy.
• Feeling very tired.
• Muscle weakness or cramps.

In very serious cases, it can cause seizures or even a coma. That's why it's important to get help if you think someone might have it.

How is it Treated?

Doctors treat hyponatremia by finding out what caused it. They might limit how much water someone can drink. They might also give medicines to help the body get rid of extra water. Sometimes, they might give fluids that contain more salt. The goal is to slowly bring the body's sodium levels back to normal.

See also

In Spanish: Hiponatremia para niños