SODIUM DEFICIT (HYPONATREMIA) Hyponatremia refers to a serum sodium level that is below nor- mal (less than 135 mEq/L [135 mmol/L]). Plasma sodium con- centration represents the ratio of total body sodium to total body water. A decrease in this ratio can occur from a low quantity of total body sodium with a lesser reduction in total body water, normal total body sodium content with excess total body water, and an excess of total body sodium with an even greater excess of total body water. However, a hyponatremic state can be super- imposed on an existing FVD or FVE.Sodium may be lost by way of vomiting, diarrhea, fistulas, or sweating, or it may be associated with the use of diuretics, parti- cularly in combination with a low-salt diet. A deficiency of aldo- sterone, as occurs in adrenal insufficiency, also predisposes the patient to sodium deficiency.
Posted on: Thu, 03 Jul 2014 11:09:33 +0000
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