Good for the elderly
A decrease in sodium levels in the elderly is produced by increased excretion of water combined with a decrease in fluid intake.People over the age of 65 are at greater risk of developing low sodium levels.Twenty percent of adults over the age of 65 in the United States were afflicted by chronic renal disease in 2010.The presence of chronic renal disease is a major cause of low sodium levels in older persons, particularly in women.
Hyponatremia (low sodium blood levels) is a condition that affects the elderly. High sodium levels, on the other hand, are not exclusive to the elderly, but low sodium levels (hyponatremia) are more likely to occur with age, as well as in certain disorders and the use of certain medications (e.g., diuretics).
Drinking large quantities of water might result in low sodium levels due to the kidneys’ inability to eliminate the extra water from the body.Because you lose sodium through perspiration when participating in endurance exercises such as marathons and triathlons, consuming an excessive amount of water during these activities might dilute the sodium concentration of your blood.Changes in hormone levels.
Patients with hyponatremia in the elderly are most often affected by medications (particularly thiazides and antidepressants), the syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone secretion (SIAD), or endocrinopathies; nonetheless, hyponatremia is multifactorial in a large number of cases.
Low sodium levels in the blood are prevalent in older persons, particularly in those who are hospitalized or who reside in long-term care facilities. Hyponatremia can manifest itself in a variety of ways, including changed personality, lethargy, and bewilderment. Severe hyponatremia can result in convulsions, unconsciousness, and, in extreme cases, death.
Hyponatremia can be caused by a variety of disorders, most of which involve the lungs, liver, or brain, as well as cardiac issues such as congestive heart failure and certain drugs. With the assistance of their doctor, the vast majority of patients recover completely.
Intravenous (IV) fluids containing a high concentration of sodium, as well as diuretics, are used to boost sodium levels in the blood. Loop diuretics, sometimes known as ‘water pills,’ are medications that work to raise blood salt levels by causing you to urine out additional fluid.
Hyponatremia is defined as a sodium level in the blood that is less than 135 mEq/L. When the sodium level in your blood is too low, additional water is drawn into your cells, causing them to enlarge and become bloated. This swelling can be particularly harmful in the brain, because the brain is unable to extend outside the boundaries of the skull.
It can occur as a result of certain medical problems, certain medications you may be on, or simply as a result of drinking excessive amounts of water.Because of the low sodium levels in your body, the quantity of water in your body increases, causing your cells to enlarge.This has the potential to cause a variety of issues.Several of them are minor, while others are significant and even life-threatening in nature.
Hyponatremia is treated with sodium chloride.
The medical team will work to restore your sodium levels over a period of many hours or days, depending on the severity of your disease and the time required. When salt is infused into the body too quickly, it can cause osmotic demyelination syndrome (ODS), which is a type of brain injury.
We require a modest quantity of salt for a range of activities in our bodies, including the functioning of our neurons and muscles. However, because sodium is available in sufficient quantities in all diets, a deficiency in sodium does not normally result in any difficulties in these areas. It is seldom required to season meals with additional salt.