What would be the priority for a patient with hyponatremia?
In a patient who is hypovolemic and hyponatremic, the priority is to restore adequate circulating volume. In particular, restoring adequate circulating volume takes priority over any concerns that the hyponatremia might be corrected too rapidly and lead to osmotic demyelination syndrome.
Can low sodium cause seizures?
Low blood sodium is common in older adults, especially those who are hospitalized or living in long-term care facilities. Signs and symptoms of hyponatremia can include altered personality, lethargy and confusion. Severe hyponatremia can cause seizures, coma and even death.
Can hyponatremia cause seizures?
Severe and rapidly evolving hyponatremia may cause seizures, which are usually generalized tonic-clonic, and generally occur if the plasma sodium concentration rapidly decreases to <115 mEq/L.
Medical records were reviewed and we identified 11 patients with seizures in conjunction with their hyponatremia. Seizures were the only neurologic manifestation of hyponatremia in patients with serum sodium levels >115 m m. Of 150 patients reviewed with serum sodium levels of 120–124 m m, one had a seizure.
How is hypertonic saline administered in the treatment of hyponatremia?
Hypertonic saline should be administered to patients with significant symptoms (e.g. altered mental state, seizures, coma, noncardiogenic pulmonary edema) of hyponatremia, regardless of the sodium level. Usually the aim is to increase the sodium by 1-1.5 mmol/h for 2 or 3 hours, and a small rise can markedly improve symptoms.
What is hyponatremia and how is it treated?
Hyponatremia is an important and common clinical problem. The etiology is multifactorial. Hyponatremia may be euvolemic, hypovolemic or hypervolemic. Proper interpretation of the various laboratory tests helps to differentiate the various types of hyponatremia. Treatment varies with the nature of onset -acute or chronic, severity and symptoms.
What are the odds of seizures at sodium levels 115–119m m?
Using 120–124 m m as reference, odds ratios (95% confidence interval) for having seizures at serum sodium levels of 115–119 m m was 3.85 (0.40–37.53), 8.43 (0.859–82.85) at 110–114 m m, and 18.06 (1.96–166.86) at <110 m m.