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Treatments and drugs
By Mayo Clinic staffHyponatremia treatment is aimed at addressing the underlying cause, if possible.
If you have moderate, chronic hyponatremia due to your diet, diuretics or drinking too much water, your doctor may recommend temporarily cutting back on fluids. He or she also may suggest adjusting your diuretic use to increase the level of sodium in your blood.
If you have severe, acute hyponatremia, you'll need more aggressive treatment. Options include:
- Intravenous fluids. Your doctor may recommend intravenous (IV) administration of a sodium solution to raise the sodium levels in your blood. This often requires a stay in the hospital.
- Medications. You may take medications to manage the signs and symptoms of hyponatremia, such as headache, nausea and seizures.
- Hormone therapy. If adrenal gland insufficiency (Addison's disease) is the cause of hyponatremia, you may take hormones to replace the deficiency.
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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