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Hyponatremia

Long-Term Care Nursing Advisor, July 1, 2005

Hyponatremia occurs when the sodium level in the blood is low or the resident is on fluid overload.

Residents with hyponatremia may be asymptomatic until their sodium level is well below normal. Symptoms of moderate to severe hyponatremia include apathy, fatigue, weakness, confusion, headache, muscle cramps, and nausea.

Assuming that the condition is not caused by an underlying disease, hyponatremia is typically treated successfully. Severe hyponatremia is usually treated by fluid therapy in a hospital. Moderate hyponatremia may be corrected by increasing dietary sodium and reducing fluid.

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