SODIUM IMBALANCE |
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DESCRIPTIONSodium imbalance is above- or below-normal levels of sodium in the blood. All body cells are involved.
Appropriate health care includes:
Self-care after diagnosis and treatment.
Physician's monitoring of general condition and medications.
Hospitalization (frequently, particularly for the very young who require regulation of dehydration by receiving intravenous fluids).
SIGNS & SYMPTOMS
Confusion.
Restlessness and anxiety.
Weakness.
Muscle cramps (usually in the legs).
Changes in pulse rate and blood pressure.
Tissue swelling (edema).
Stupor or coma.
Sodium imbalance in your child may be part of a disease with other symptoms that predominate, such as fever, vomiting, diarrhea, or excessive sweating.
CAUSES
Hyponatremia (below-normal sodium):
Prolonged loss of body fluids from vomiting or diarrhea.
Addison's disease.
Congestive heart failure.
Prolonged, excessive drinking of water. (This is usually a psychiatric condition.)
Some cancers of the adrenal glands.
Infections with high fever.
Hypernatremia (above-normal sodium):
Inability to drink water, as with stroke or gastrointestinal diseases.
Use of cortisone drugs.
Excessive intake of salty food or liquid, as in near-drowning in salt water.
RISK FACTORS
Diabetes mellitus.
Congestive heart failure.
Use of diuretics.
Kidney diseases. Healthy kidneys can usually control sodium levels.
PREVENTING COMPLICATIONS OR RECURRENCEBecause sodium disturbance is the result of underlying disease, obtain early medical treatment for your child to prevent a sodium imbalance.
BASIC INFORMATION
MEDICAL TESTS
Your own observation of symptoms.
Medical history and physical exam by a doctor.
Laboratory blood and urine studies of sodium and other electrolytes.
POSSIBLE COMPLICATIONSShock and death.
PROBABLE OUTCOME
Usually can be corrected with intravenous fluids and treatment of the child's underlying disorder.
TREATMENT
HOME CAREIf your child has a disorder or takes drugs that affect sodium balance, learn as much as possible about the drugs, your child's condition, and ways to prevent a sodium imbalance.
MEDICATION
Your doctor may prescribe:
Intravenous sodium if your child's sodium levels are low.
Diuretics to decrease high sodium levels.
Medications to correct underlying disorders.
See Medications section for information regarding medicines your doctor may prescribe.
ACTIVITY
Your child can resume normal activities after recovery.
DIET & FLUIDS
No special diet for low sodium levels. Most children with high sodium levels benefit from a low-salt diet (See Appendix 29). Low-salt diets contain enough sodium to prevent hyponatremia. However, sodium levels are not influenced by diet alone.
OK TO GO TO SCHOOL?When appetite has returned and alertness, strength, and feeling of well-being will allow.
CALL YOUR DOCTOR IF
Your child has symptoms of a sodium imbalance.
Your child is having problems with a disorder that affects sodium levels.
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