You may also need to reduce your fluid intake or increase the amount of salt you consume. Most cases of prolonged hyponatremia in the elderly are related to medication. The major cause of increase in the incidence of diabetes is a sedentary lifestyle. Nursing Home Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor use in the elderly population is associated with the development of hyponatremia. It therefore does not clearly indicate a problem with sodium. Causes of Hyponatremia: LIVESTRONG is a registered trademark of the LIVESTRONG Foundation. Taking diuretics, pain medication, antidepressants or other prescription drugs may also alter your fluid balance. Hyponatremia is … Use of this web site constitutes acceptance of the LIVESTRONG.COM Hyponatremia or low sodium blood levels may result from excess fluid in the body relative to a normal amount of sodium, or it may be due to a loss of sodium and body fluid caused by chronic conditions like kidney or … The brain can swell quickly when sodium levels drop too low. Low Sodium Blood Levels (Hyponatremia) in the Elderly Sodium is an essential mineral in the body that is an important component of many processes in the body. All rights reserved. It should not be This condition may be due to a variety of reasons including: over consumption of fluids, vomiting, diarrhea, burns, kidney disorders and a variety of other diseases. Hyponatremia is a condition where sodium levels in the blood are lower than normal. Sodium is an element, or an electrolyte, that is found in the blood. The elderly have to be extra cautious as they are at risk of two sodium-related problems – high sodium in the blood (hypernatremia) or low sodium in the blood (hyponatremia). Regulatory mechanisms help control and maintain sodium levels. She was admitted with 121 level. Hyponatremia may be a consequence of too much water in the body which then dilutes the sodium levels (solute dilution) but can also be due to too little sodium in the body (solute depletion). Copyright © 2020 SeniorHealth365.com. Urinary tract problems that may hamper the output of urine. Medication such as diuretics, antidepressants and pain killers. The change in medication has to be done very carefully under the supervision of a medical doctor. Exercise and diet can either reduce or delay the incidence of diabetes by over 50%. Because age-related changes and chronic diseases are often associated with impairment of water metabolism in elderly patients, it is absolutely essential for clinicians to be aware of the pathophysiology of hyponatremia and hypernatremia in the elderly. She's almost 94 and has been battling low sodium for the last couple of years. Test Results. Hyponatremia is present when levels drop below 135 mEq/L. Nutrition. It is important that the elderly or caregivers do NOT stop medication. Exercise and diet can either reduce or delay the incidence of diabetes by over 50%. When the sodium levels fall below the normal level of 135 mEq/L, it is known that your body has low sodium levels. Sodium is an essential mineral in the body that is an important component of many processes in the body. After being home for 2 days it dropped to 124. Hyponatremia is a low sodium concentration in the blood. Alzheimer’s Disease Ongoing confusion and low energy levels may be signs that you have chronically low sodium. Varicose Veins, Dental Health In fact, many other diseases which are common in the elderly may have one or more of these symptoms. person on 120 mg furosemide bd Dr. Budi Bahureksa answered 30 years experience Cardiology Volume: the sodium level is a paradoxic gauge for your volume status. Changes in the way your body processes water can affect your balance of fluids and electrolytes as you age. Get the latest and accurate info on senior health, Skin Cancer (Malignant Tumors) in the Elderly. Hypokalemia Seniors should have less sodium because they are more likely to have medical problems like kidney disease or diabetes that limit their body's ability to keep sodium levels balanced. Severe hyponatremia is an emergency medical condition that requires immediate intervention to restore your fluid and electrolyte balance. Seniors older than 71 should limit themselves to 1.2 grams. The hormones aldosterone (made in the adrenal gland) and anti-diuretic hormone (ADH) or vasopressin (made in the pituitary) adjust the way the kidneys deal with water and sodium to maintain the appropr… Learn about the symptoms of low sodium, sodium blood tests, and normal sodium levels. The urinary sodium level (>20 mEq/L), urinary osmolality (>100 mOsm/kg), and low serum uric acid levels are findings that supported the diagnosis of the syndrome of inappropriate antidiuresis (also known as the syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone, or SIADH). Heart Disease In the late stages of hyponatremia, you may have twitching, restlessness and other signs that your nervous system has been affected. Privacy Policy Severe hyponatremia may cause a loss of consciousness and respiratory function. Once the sodium level drops, our cells expand from the abundance of water present in the blood. Sodium levels in the blood have to be tightly controlled. Care must be taken to correct the levels of sodium slowly, as rapid correction can cause sudden fluid shifts that can affect the brain, either by causing brain swelling or by breaking down myelin, the protective cover of the brain's cells. She is at the point where nothing more can be done to regulate her sodium. . Both of these amounts are less than the 1.5 grams of sodium adults between 19 and 50 years old can consume. Copyright © Sodium deficiency is also known as hyponatremia. Hyponatremia is a medical condition characterized by low concentration of sodium in the blood. Severe symptoms include confusion, seizures, and coma. The elderly are prone to low blood sodium levels. Neurological changes are among the first signs of low sodium, an electrolyte that affects your fluid volume, nerve and muscle function. One of the common risk factors for dangerously low sodium levels is old age. Your sodium levels may get too low if your body loses too much water and electrolytes. When the levels of sodium in the blood go down, you have to face a lot of problems. Headaches caused by the buildup of fluid in your brain tissues are a common symptom of hyponatremia. In severe hyponatremia, a person can slip into a coma and respiratory arrest may even occur. My mother is now on hospice. Healthy Bones Maintaining proper sodium levels in your blood is critical to health. Hearing Problems Heart disease may lead to low blood sodium levels. Sometimes low sodium levels may be a combination of both solute dilution and solute depletion. A normal sodium level is between 135 to 145 milliequivalents per liter (mEq/L). Elderly patients with low sodium levels are usually asymptomatic, although headaches, nausea, confusion and respiratory arrest show up in severe conditions, according to Kugler and Hustead for the American Family Physician journal from the American Academy of Family Physicians. A senior may find that their thirst mechanism is impaired and so is the kidney’s response to an important hormone known as ADH (anti diuretic hormone) which regulates the water output in the urine. Exercise The major cause of increase in the incidence of diabetes is a sedentary lifestyle. Do you think obesity is considered a health threat among the senior population? Diabetes Mellitus It can be generally defined as a sodium concentration in the blood of less than 135 mmol/l, with levels below 120 mmol/l considered to be severe. Monitoring your fluid intake and your cognitive status are important aspects of your care. In many cases, too much water in the body dilutes the sodium, causing the … However, it is often portrayed in a negative light as being a major health risk and rightfully so – high sodium levels are a major contributing factor in conditions such as high blood pressure (hypertension). The normal adult value for sodium is 136-145 mEq/L. 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