What causes sodium levels to drop in the elderly?

Table of Contents:

1. What causes sodium levels to drop in the elderly?
2. What causes sodium to drop?
3. Is Gatorade Good for hyponatremia?
4. What is a good substitute for Gatorade?
5. Can drinking too much water lower sodium levels?
6. Does drinking a lot of water lower sodium levels?
7. What happens if you don't eat enough salt?

What causes sodium levels to drop in the elderly?

Decreased function of the kidneys, liver or heart. Certain cancers, including lung cancer. Certain illnesses, such as pneumonia or urinary tract infections, that can cause dehydration.

What causes sodium to drop?

A low sodium level has many causes, including consumption of too many fluids, kidney failure, heart failure, cirrhosis, and use of diuretics. Symptoms result from brain dysfunction.

Is Gatorade Good for hyponatremia?

In athletes with hyponatremia, low serum sodium levels have been corrected with the administration of an isotonic beverage. Therefore, giving Gatorade® to patients with hyponatremia may be an alternative treatment method to increase serum sodium levels.

What is a good substitute for Gatorade?

Here are 8 electrolyte-rich beverages you may want to add to your health and wellness tool kit.

• Coconut water. Coconut water, or coconut juice, is the clear liquid found inside of a coconut. ...
• Milk. ...
• Watermelon water (and other fruit juices) ...
• Smoothies. ...
• Electrolyte-infused waters. ...
• Electrolyte tablets. ...
• Sports drinks. ...
• Pedialyte.

Can drinking too much water lower sodium levels?

Drinking too much water. Drinking excessive amounts of water can cause low sodium by overwhelming the kidneys' ability to excrete water. Because you lose sodium through sweat, drinking too much water during endurance activities, such as marathons and triathlons, can also dilute the sodium content of your blood.

Does drinking a lot of water lower sodium levels?

Drinking too much water. It can dilute the amount of sodium in your blood. It usually happens when people drink too much during endurance events like marathons or triathlons, and also lose sodium through their sweat.

What happens if you don't eat enough salt?

Salt loss (hyponatremia) In severe cases, low sodium levels in the body can lead to muscle cramps, nausea, vomiting and dizziness. Eventually, lack of salt can lead to shock, coma and death. Severe salt loss is very unlikely to happen because our diets contain more than enough salt.