Hypernatremia: Symptoms and causes

Mark
Written By Mark

The Federal Association of Internal Medicine Physicians in Germany said that hypernatremia means the presence of too much sodium in the blood, explaining that the value of sodium in the blood, which ranges from 531 to 541 mmol per liter, is considered very high.

The association explained that the symptoms indicating hypernatremia are dizziness, thirst, confusion, muscle twitching, seizures, and frequent urination, and in the worst cases, it may lead to circulatory failure.

The association added that hypernatremia has several causes, some of which are simple and some of which are serious, explaining that the simple causes are a lack of fluids in the body resulting from a lack of drinking fluids or vomiting, diarrhea, and fever. Minor causes also include excessive salt intake.

Serious reasons

Serious causes of hypernatremia include blood sugar imbalance, kidney dysfunction, or adrenal gland dysfunction.

Therefore, high blood sodium levels should always be examined by a doctor to determine the real underlying cause and undergo appropriate treatment.

It is worth noting that sodium is an important mineral that plays an essential role in water balance and the function of nerve and muscle cells.