hormonal and metabolic disorders
Hyponatremia (Low Level of Sodium in the Blood)
Treatment of Hyponatremia
Restricting fluid intake Mild hyponatremia can be treated by restricting fluid intake to less than 1 quart (about 1 liter) per day. If a diuretic or other medication is the cause, the dose is reduced or the medication is stopped. If the cause is a disorder, it is treated. Occasionally, people are given a sodium solution intravenously, a diuretic to increase excretion of fluid, or both, usually slowly, over several days. These treatments can correct the sodium level. Some people, especially those with the Syndrome of Inappropriate Secretion of Antidiuretic Hormone (SIADH) , need long-term treatment for hyponatremia. Fluid restriction alone is often not enough to prevent recurrence of hyponatremia. Salt tablets can be used in people with mild to moderate chronic hyponatremia. Depending on the cause of hyponatremia and the amount of fluid in the person' body, several medications are available for treatment. Severe hyponatremia is an emergency. To treat it, doctors slowly increase the level of sodium in the blood with intravenous fluids and sometimes with a diuretic. Medications called vaptans, which blockvasopressinreceptors and prevent the kidneys from responding tovasopressin, are sometimes needed. Increasing the sodium level too rapidly can result in severe and often permanent brain damage. 