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Complications
By Mayo Clinic staffIn chronic hyponatremia, sodium levels drop gradually over days or weeks — and symptoms and complications are typically more 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. This may be related to the effect of women's sex hormones on the body's ability to balance sodium levels.
References
- Hyponatremia. The Merck Manuals: The Merck Manual for Healthcare Professionals. http://www.merckmanuals.com/professional/print/sec12/ch156/ch156d.html. Accessed May 7, 2011.
- Ball SG. Hyponatremia. Journal of the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh. 2010;40:240.
- Sterns RH. Causes of hyponatremia. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed May 3, 2011.
- Lien YH, et al. Hyponatremia: Clinical diagnosis and management. American Journal of Medicine. 2007;120:653.
- Drezner JA, et al. Sports medicine. In: Rakel RE. Textbook of Family Medicine. 7th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders Elsevier; 2007. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/191205553-4/0/1481/0.html#. Accessed May 8, 2011.
- Goh KP. Management of hyponatremia. American Family Physician. 2004;69:2387.
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