Your health, lifestyle and age can all contribute to your sodium levels.
Image Credit: Brothers91/E+/GettyImages
In This Article
Normal Sodium Levels
Symptoms of Low Sodium
Causes of Low Sodium
Symptoms of High Sodium
Causes of High Sodium
Salt often gets a bad rap when it comes to your health. But you need it to function, which is why having normal sodium levels can help your body work at its best.
Advertisement
Maintaining a normal sodium level in the blood has less to do with the amount of salt you eat and more to do with your hydration. Below, learn about the signs your sodium levels are off and what to do to correct them.
Video of the Day
What Is a Normal Sodium Level?
The Mayo Clinic defines a normal sodium level range as 135 to 145 milliequivalents per liter, which is a measure of the concentration of sodium in your blood. Levels that fall above or below sodium’s normal range are typically the result of over- or under-hydration, according to a March 2015 review in American Family Physician, rather than eating too little or too much salt.
Advertisement
Sodium is a type of electrolyte, which is a class of minerals that conduct electrical signals to your nerves and muscles to help your body function, according to the U.S. National Library of Medicine (NLM).
Sodium in particular helps balance the amount of fluid in your body and manage blood pressure, muscle control and nerve function, per the National Kidney Foundation. It works closely with other electrolytes, like potassium, to do this, according to the NLM.
Advertisement
For healthy adults who don't have any kidney problems, "the kidneys do an amazing job at keeping us at the proper hydration level, which includes sodium," Jen Hernandez, RDN, CSR, a registered dietitian-nutritionist and board-certified specialist in kidney nutrition, tells LIVESTRONG.com.
But abnormal sodium levels can lead to unpleasant symptoms. If your doctor suspects your sodium balance is off, they can check with a standard blood draw, which is often a part of your routine physical.
Advertisement
Tip You can do your part to maintain normal sodium levels by drinking adequate amounts of fluid. Current guidelines, set by the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine, say that's about 15 and a half cups a day for people assigned male at birth and 11 and a half cups a day for people assigned female at birth, according to the Mayo Clinic.
Symptoms of Low Sodium Levels Signs of low sodium — also called hyponatremia — include the following, per the NLM and a January 2021 StatPearls review:
Weakness Fatigue Confusion Headaches Nausea Vomiting Malaise Muscle cramps or spasms Agitation
Sometimes symptoms of hyponatremia in older adults can be confused with those of age-related neurological conditions like dementia or Alzheimer’s disease. Monitoring fluid intake and cognitive status can help determine whether hydration is to blame for chronic symptoms of low sodium in older adults.
Advertisement
Advertisement
In extreme cases, very low sodium levels can deplete your brain of electrolytes, which leads to brain swelling, seizures or coma, according to a January 2018 study in Kidney International Reports. This requires immediate medical attention to restore your fluid and electrolyte balance.
4 Causes of Low Sodium Levels Here are several common reasons why your sodium levels can dip:
Advertisement
1. Over-Hydration
“Some may think a low sodium level in the blood is related to inadequate sodium intake in the diet,” Hernandez says. “But that is almost always not the case.” In fact, the most common cause of low sodium levels is over-hydration. Hernandez says the amount of water in your body can dilute your sodium levels to the point of hyponatremia: For instance, this can happen when endurance athletes like marathon runners water down their blood sodium content by drinking more than they need to quench their thirst.
Advertisement
Luckily, recovery from mild effects of low sodium is typically quick, according to the Mayo Clinic. Symptoms should resolve as soon as the root cause — too much fluid — is fixed, which you can address by temporarily reducing how much you drink. Sometimes doctors will also prescribe a diuretic to help rid the body of some excess fluid, Hernandez says.
Diuretics Persistently low sodium levels, however, can be a side effect of certain medications like diuretics, according to StatPearls.
Advertisement Diuretic medications (aka water pills) are often prescribed to help control high blood pressure, according to the Mayo Clinic, and they may also be taken by people who have edema (tissue swelling), heart failure, liver failure or certain kidney disorders, such as kidney stones.
Advertisement You can work with your doctor to monitor medications that may mess with your sodium balance so you can stay on top of your hydration.
Illness Hyponatremia is also more common in people who have chronic kidney, liver, heart or lung problems, per the Cleveland Clinic. Low sodium levels can likewise be an issue for people who have cancer as a result of treatment or the disease itself, according to a June 2016 review in Critical Reviews in Hematology/Oncology.
Aging Hyponatremia can be a bigger problem for older than younger adults. According to a November 2017 study in Clinical Interventions in Aging, causes of low sodium in older adults include:
Changing hormones Chronic illnesses like heart failure and liver disease Side effects from common medications like diuretics or antidepressants
The best way to increase sodium levels in older adults is much the same as the young: The same study notes that restricting water intake, intravenous (IV) fluids and stopping any drugs that might be contributing to low sodium levels can all help. Tip Need a way to easily track your daily water intake? Download the MyPlate app to do the job, so you can stay focused and achieve your goals! Symptoms of High Sodium Levels On the other hand, high sodium levels — or hypernatremia — can be a sign of dehydration. The Mayo Clinic and a May 2021 StatPearls review cite these common symptoms:
Excessive thirst Decreased ability to urinate Nausea Vomiting Fatigue Dizziness Confusion
Advertisement
In serious cases, this electrolyte imbalance can lead to seizures or comas, according to a January 2016 study in the Journal of Clinical Neurology.
5 Causes of High Sodium Levels The following reasons may be to blame for elevated sodium levels:
Under-Hydration Hypernatremia usually occurs as a result of simply not drinking enough fluid, according to the NLM. It’s especially common in infants, children and older adults, who may have more difficulty keeping themselves hydrated and are more susceptible to losing fluids through illness, according to the Mayo Clinic. A quick fix? Drink more water, according to the Mayo Clinic. In the case of more extreme hypernatremia, your doctor may also give you IV fluids to help you get back into balance.
Intense Exercise You can also quickly lose too much fluid from excessive sweating, according to the Mayo Clinic. As a result, athletes and anyone participating in intense exercise are at risk for hypernatremia. To avoid it, be sure to consume enough fluids during heavy activity. If you’re participating in prolonged intense exercise, like a marathon or triathlon, the Cleveland Clinic recommends also replenishing with sodium supplements like sports drinks to keep your salt balance from swinging too far in the opposite direction.
Vomiting or Diarrhea If you’re sick with symptoms like vomiting and diarrhea, you can lose too much fluid too quickly and end up with hypernatremia, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Advertisement Make sure to stay well-hydrated as long as symptoms persist to compensate for that fluid loss. If drinking water is difficult due to vomiting, try sucking on ice chips.
Climate You may need to hydrate more than usual if you live in a hot climate or work outside, according to the CDC, as you may be more prone to losing fluids through sweat than people in cooler environments. The solution? Keep an eye on your hydration to make sure your blood sodium levels don’t spike. One easy way to keep track is by looking at the color of your urine: It should be clear to pale yellow if you’re hydrated; darker yellow urine is a sign of dehydration.
Illness Persistent hypernatremia can be a sign of kidney problems or adrenal gland disorders like Addison’s disease, per the Mayo Clinic, both of which can impair the body’s ability to regulate sodium levels. Uncontrolled diabetes or a rare condition called diabetes insipidus can also lead to hypernatremia, according to an October 2014 study in the World Journal of Clinical Cases. If you suspect you have any of the above conditions, see your doctor, who can determine a diagnosis and help you manage the condition.
List of Low-Sodium Diet Foods by Jill Corleone High-Sodium Vegetables and Fruits by Dylan Roche Can Eating Salty Foods Help Treat Low Blood Sodium Levels? by Maya Dusenbery Foods That Flush Sodium Out of the Body by Gord KerrAdvertisement
Advertisement
references
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: “Water and Healthier Drinks” Critical Reviews in Oncology/Hematology: “Hyponatremia in Cancer Patients: Time for a New Approach” Mayo Clinic: “Hyponatremia” U.S. National Library of Medicine: “Sodium Blood Test” Mayo Clinic: "Nutrition and Healthy Eating" U.S. National Library of Medicine: "Potassium" National Kidney Foundation: "Hyponatremia" American Family Physician: "Diagnosis and Management of Sodium Disorders: Hyponatremia and Hypernatremia" U.S. National Library of Medicine: "Low Blood Sodium" StatPearls: "Hypernatremia" Journal of Athletic Training: "National Athletic Trainers' Association Position Statement: Fluid Replacement for the Physically Active" StatPearls: "Hyponatremia" Kidney International Reports: "Hyponatremia and the Brain" U.S. National Library of Medicine: "Electrolytes" Cleveland Clinic: "Hyponatremia" Clinical Interventions in Aging: "Hyponatremia in the elderly: challenges and solutions" Mayo Clinic: "Dehydration" Journal of Clinical Neurology: "Acute Symptomatic Seizures Caused by Electrolyte Disturbances" Mayo Clinic: "Addison's disease" World Journal of Clinical Cases: "Diabetes mellitus and electrolyte disorders" U.S. National Library of Medicine: "When to use the emergency room - adult" Cleveland Clinic: "Sports Nutrition Supplements" Mayo Clinic: "Diuretics" Is this an emergency?If you are experiencing serious medical symptoms, please see the National Library of Medicine’s list of signs you need emergency medical attention or call 911.
references
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: “Water and Healthier Drinks” Critical Reviews in Oncology/Hematology: “Hyponatremia in Cancer Patients: Time for a New Approach” Mayo Clinic: “Hyponatremia” U.S. National Library of Medicine: “Sodium Blood Test” Mayo Clinic: "Nutrition and Healthy Eating" U.S. National Library of Medicine: "Potassium" National Kidney Foundation: "Hyponatremia" American Family Physician: "Diagnosis and Management of Sodium Disorders: Hyponatremia and Hypernatremia" U.S. National Library of Medicine: "Low Blood Sodium" StatPearls: "Hypernatremia" Journal of Athletic Training: "National Athletic Trainers' Association Position Statement: Fluid Replacement for the Physically Active" StatPearls: "Hyponatremia" Kidney International Reports: "Hyponatremia and the Brain" U.S. National Library of Medicine: "Electrolytes" Cleveland Clinic: "Hyponatremia" Clinical Interventions in Aging: "Hyponatremia in the elderly: challenges and solutions" Mayo Clinic: "Dehydration" Journal of Clinical Neurology: "Acute Symptomatic Seizures Caused by Electrolyte Disturbances" Mayo Clinic: "Addison's disease" World Journal of Clinical Cases: "Diabetes mellitus and electrolyte disorders" U.S. National Library of Medicine: "When to use the emergency room - adult" Cleveland Clinic: "Sports Nutrition Supplements" Mayo Clinic: "Diuretics"
Is this an emergency? If you are experiencing serious medical symptoms, please see the National Library of Medicine’s list of signs you need emergency medical attention or call 911.
Your health, lifestyle and age can all contribute to your sodium levels.
Image Credit: Brothers91/E+/GettyImages
Image Credit: Brothers91/E+/GettyImages
- Normal Sodium Levels
- Symptoms of Low Sodium
- Causes of Low Sodium
- Symptoms of High Sodium
- Causes of High Sodium
You can do your part to maintain normal sodium levels by drinking adequate amounts of fluid. Current guidelines, set by the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine, say that’s about 15 and a half cups a day for people assigned male at birth and 11 and a half cups a day for people assigned female at birth, according to the Mayo Clinic.
Need a way to easily track your daily water intake? Download the MyPlate app to do the job, so you can stay focused and achieve your goals!
List of Low-Sodium Diet Foods
by
Jill Corleone
High-Sodium Vegetables and Fruits
by
Dylan Roche
Can Eating Salty Foods Help Treat Low Blood Sodium Levels?
by
Maya Dusenbery
Foods That Flush Sodium Out of the Body
by
Gord Kerr
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: “Water and Healthier Drinks”
Critical Reviews in Oncology/Hematology: “Hyponatremia in Cancer Patients: Time for a New Approach”
Mayo Clinic: “Hyponatremia”
U.S. National Library of Medicine: “Sodium Blood Test”
Mayo Clinic: "Nutrition and Healthy Eating"
U.S. National Library of Medicine: "Potassium"
National Kidney Foundation: "Hyponatremia"
American Family Physician: "Diagnosis and Management of Sodium Disorders: Hyponatremia and Hypernatremia"
U.S. National Library of Medicine: "Low Blood Sodium"
StatPearls: "Hypernatremia"
Journal of Athletic Training: "National Athletic Trainers' Association Position Statement: Fluid Replacement for the Physically Active"
StatPearls: "Hyponatremia"
Kidney International Reports: "Hyponatremia and the Brain"
U.S. National Library of Medicine: "Electrolytes"
Cleveland Clinic: "Hyponatremia"
Clinical Interventions in Aging: "Hyponatremia in the elderly: challenges and solutions"
Mayo Clinic: "Dehydration"
Journal of Clinical Neurology: "Acute Symptomatic Seizures Caused by Electrolyte Disturbances"
Mayo Clinic: "Addison's disease"
World Journal of Clinical Cases: "Diabetes mellitus and electrolyte disorders"
U.S. National Library of Medicine: "When to use the emergency room - adult"
Cleveland Clinic: "Sports Nutrition Supplements"
Mayo Clinic: "Diuretics"
