Alternative Names sodium imbalance, electrolyte imbalance
Definition Salt or sodium imbalance occurs when there is too little or too much sodium in the bloodstream. The condition is called hyponatraemia when there is too little sodium, and hypernatraemia when there is too much sodium in the bloodstream.
What is going on in the body? The kidneys absorb most of the sodium in the body. Sodium helps the kidneys to regulate water levels in the body. Normally, the sodium-water balance in the body is regulated by the hormone aldosterone. This hormone causes the kidneys to hold onto water. When this system is out of balance, the body either gets rid of or absorbs too much sodium.
What are the signs and symptoms of the condition? Common signs and symptoms of salt imbalance include:
muscle cramps, especially after exercise
weakness, often the first symptom of hyponatraemia
What can be done to prevent the condition? A person can do several things to prevent salt imbalance, such as:
avoid salty foods, salt tablets, or salty liquids, such as sports drinks
drink plenty of water during exercise
drink plenty of water when taking diuretics
keep follow-up appointments with the doctor for chronic disease treatment
A person who has the flu and uncontrollable vomiting needs to be monitored carefully. He or she may need to be admitted to a hospital to get fluids to prevent dehydration and salt imbalance.
How is the condition diagnosed? Salt imbalance is diagnosed by taking a complete medical history and having blood and urine tests done. Electrolytes can check the level of sodium in the blood. Other tests may be done depending on the person's symptoms.
The doctor may also want to know:
What was happening when the symptoms started?
Was there any illness before the symptoms began?
Was the person exercising or working and sweating a lot?
What are the long-term effects of the condition? The long-term effects of salt imbalance depend on the underlying cause. If the imbalance is caught early and treated, there may be few long-term effects. Severe salt imbalance that is not treated can lead to extreme weakness, confusion, coma, or death.
What are the risks to others? A salt imbalance is not contagious, although the underlying cause may be. For example, if a person has low sodium due to vomiting and diarrhoea caused by the flu, the flu may be contagious. If the sodium imbalance is due to a kidney disorder, this is not contagious.
What are the treatments for the condition? Treatment for sodium imbalance will depend on the underlying cause.
If the sodium imbalance is caused by the flu along with vomiting and diarrhoea, fluids need to be replaced in the body.
The person may need medications to help decrease the vomiting.
Fluids given into the veins can help replace sodium, or in other cases, can help lower sodium levels in the blood.
Sodium imbalance due to kidney disease or diabetes can be treated with medications.
Low sodium diets may help prevent high levels of sodium in the blood.
Diuretics may be given to decrease high sodium levels in the blood.
What are the side effects of the treatments? Side effects depend on the treatments used, but may include allergic reactions to the medication and stomach upset.
What happens after treatment for the condition? Hyponatraemia that is the result of vomiting and diarrhoea caused by the flu may be treated and need no further treatment. On the other hand, a person who has diabetes will need lifelong treatment once the condition is under control. A person with kidney disease may need follow-up treatment and close monitoring of blood levels of sodium and many other electrolytes.
How is the condition monitored? Carefully monitoring of blood levels can help keep a balance between too little and too much sodium in the blood. If the salt imbalance is due to a short-term condition, such as vomiting, no further monitoring may be necessary. If a person is on diuretics or has other long-term conditions, periodic blood tests are needed to check the blood levels of various electrolytes. Any new or worsening symptoms should be reported to the doctor.
Author: Eileen McLaughlin, RN, BSN Reviewer: HealthAnswers Australia Medical Review Panel Editor: Dr David Taylor, Chief Medical Officer HealthAnswers Australia Last Updated: 1/10/2001 Contributors Potential conflict of interest information for reviewers available on request
