How does sodium affect neuro status?

How does sodium affect neuro status?

When sodium levels in the blood are too low, extra water goes into body cells causing them to swell. This swelling can be especially dangerous for brain cells, resulting in neurological symptoms such as headache, confusion, irritability, seizures or even coma.

Can hyponatremia cause altered mental status?

The most common manifestations of hyponatremia are CNS-related and include mental status changes such as lethargy, confusion, disorientation, and agitation. Other symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, and weakness can also occur. Severe hyponatremia may result in cerebral edema, encephalopathy and death.

What are some neurological symptoms of hyponatremia?

The symptoms of hyponatremia tend to be neurologic. Patients may complain of headache, nausea and vomiting, lethargy, and confusion. If the sodium concentration drops quickly to critical levels, seizures, coma, and death may occur.

What happens to the brain during hyponatremia?

When hyponatremia occurs, the resulting decrease in plasma osmolality (with the exception of the rare cases of non-hypoosmotic hyponatremia) causes water movement into the brain in response to the osmotic gradient, thus causing cerebral edema [7,8] (Figure 1b).

Which is worse hyponatremia or hypernatremia?

In severe cases, hypernatremia can lead to coma and death. Hypotonic dehydration (hyponatremia). Hyponatremia is what happens when you have too little sodium in your body. This can happen if you lose electrolytes and fluids together but only replace the lost fluids.

Why is sodium important for brain function?

Electrolytes conduct nerve signals and regulate fluid balance in the brain. Sodium is critical for brain health. Hyponatremia (low serum sodium) symptoms include headaches, fatigue, lethargy, and seizures. When sodium is rapidly depleted from overwatering, it can cause brain swelling.

Can hyponatremia cause psychosis?

Symptoms of hyponatremia can range from increased psychotic symptoms to seizures, coma and even death.

Is hyponatremia a neurological disorder?

Hyponatremia is the most common and important electrolyte disorder affecting patients with critical neurologic diseases.

How does the brain adapt to chronic hyponatremia?

Brain cells can adapt to hyponatremia. After an acute decrease in external osmolality, cells will initially swell, as a result of water movement into the cells along an osmotic gradient.

What is the difference between dehydration and hyponatremia?

Losing mainly fluid is known as hypertonic dehydration – or hypernatremia. Losing mainly sodium is known as hypotonic dehydration – or hyponatremia.