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By Mayo Clinic staffIn chronic hyponatremia, sodium levels drop gradually over several days or weeks — and symptoms and complications are typically moderate.
In acute hyponatremia, sodium levels drop rapidly — resulting in potentially dangerous effects, such as rapid brain swelling, which can result in coma and death.
Premenopausal women appear to be at the greatest risk of hyponatremia-related brain damage. Researchers believe this is related to the effect of women's sex hormones on the body's ability to balance sodium levels.
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