Hyponatremia results from an excess of water relative to sodium, regardless of the volume status. Young adult patient appears to tolerate a specific level of hyponatremia belter than does the older patient.
Symptoms may include headache, lethargy ataxia and hypertension. Other symptoms than accompany severe hyponatremia include loss, appetite, nausea, vomiting, cramps, weakness, altered level of consciousness, coma, and seizure.
In the great majority of cases, hyponatremia is mild as asymptomatic and generally does not require aggressive treatment.
Hyponatremia is associated with substantially increased mortality, both as a direct effect of hyponatremia and because hyponatremia is associated with severe systemic disease.
Severe hyponatremia of rapid inset may lead to brain edema and herniation and therefore requires rapid treatment. Cheyne-Stokes respiration may be a hallmark of severe acute hyponatremia.
Symptoms of hyponatremia
