Hypernatremia high blood sodium levels symptoms

Hypernatremia (high blood sodium levels) is a condition where blood sodium levels in more than 145 mEq / L of blood.


CAUSE
In hypernatremia, the body contains too little water compared to the amount of sodium. Blood sodium concentration usually increases abnormally when fluid loss exceeds sodium loss, which usually happens if you drink too little water. High blood sodium concentration implies that a person does not feel thirsty even though she should be hungry, or thirsty, but he can not obtain enough water to drink.

Hypernatremia also occur in a person with:
- Abnormal kidney function
- Diarrhea
- Vomiting
- Fever
- Excessive sweating.

Hypernatremia is most common in the elderly. In older people usually feel thirsty more slowly formed, and not so strong compared with younger children.
Elderly people are only able to lay in bed alone or who have dementia, may not be able to get enough water even though the nerves are still functioning thirst.

In addition, at an advanced age, the ability of the kidneys to concentrate urine began to decrease, so it can not hold water well. Parents who take diuretics, which force the kidneys release more water, have to suffer the risk of hypernatremia, especially if the weather is hot or if they get sick and do not drink enough water.

Hipernatemia always a serious situation, especially in the elderly. Nearly half of all parents who were hospitalized because of hypernatremia died. The high mortality is probably because the patient also has severe disease that allows the hypernatremia.

Hypernatremia can also occur due to the kidneys remove too much water, as occurs in diabetes insipidus. Pituitary gland release too little antidiuretic hormone (antidiuretic hormone causes the kidneys to retain water) or kidney does not respond properly to the hormone. People with diabetes insipidus is rarely experienced hyponatremia if they have a normal thirst and drinking enough water.

The main cause of hipernatremi:

Head injury or surgery involving the pituitary gland nerve
Disorders of other electrolytes (hypercalcemia and hypokalemia)
The use of medication (lithium, demeclocycline, diuretics)
Excessive fluid loss (diarrhea, vomiting, fever, excessive sweating)
Sickle cell disease
Diabetes insipidus.


SYMPTOMS
The main symptoms of hypernatremia result from brain damage.

Severe hypernatremia can cause:
- Confusion
- Muscle spasms
- Spasms throughout the body
- Coma
- Death.