Ayurvedic Management Of Hyponatremia

Hyponatremia

Low blood sodium is a condition in which the amount of sodium in the blood is lower than normal. The medical name of this condition is hyponatremia. The normal adult value for sodium is 136-145 mEq/L. When it falls below this limit, the problem occurs. Sodium is an element or an electrolyte that is found in the blood. Sodium chloride is known commonly as table salt. Hyponatremia is an electrolyte imbalance and is indicated by a low level of sodium in the blood.

Symptoms Of Hyponatremia

Hyponatremia signs and symptoms may include:

• Nausea and vomiting.
• Headache.
• Confusion.
• Loss of energy, drowsiness, and fatigue.
• Restlessness and irritability.
• Muscle weakness, spasms, or cramps.
• Seizures.
• Coma.

Causes Of Hyponatremia

Certain conditions may cause a lack of sodium in the blood. Specific causes of hyponatremia include:

• Certain medications

  Some of the medicines that are responsible for such conditions for example medications, such as some water pills (diuretics), antidepressants, and pain medications; can interfere with the normal hormonal and kidney processes that keep sodium concentrations within the healthy normal range.

• Heart, kidney, and liver problems

  Some diseases and congestive heart failure sometimes affect the kidneys and liver so badly that fluid starts accumulating in your body and lowered sodium levels due to the accumulation of this fluid.

• Syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone (SIADH)

  In this condition, high levels of the antidiuretic hormone (ADH) are produced, causing your body to retain water instead of excreting it normally in your urine.

• Chronic, severe vomiting or diarrhea and other causes of dehydration

  This causes your body to lose electrolytes, such as sodium, and also increases ADH levels.

• Drinking too much water

  Drinking too much water leads to hyponatremia as it can reduce sodium levels by increasing kidney function by emitting too much 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.

• Hormonal changes

  Adrenal gland insufficiency (Addison's disease) affects your adrenal glands' ability to produce hormones that help maintain your body's balance of sodium, potassium, and water. Low levels of thyroid hormone also can cause a low blood sodium level.

• The recreational drug Ecstasy

  This amphetamine increases the risk of severe and even fatal cases of hyponatremia.

The main causes of hyponatremia are certain medications, heart, kidney, and liver problems, drinking too much water, hormonal changes, and the recreational drug ecstasy.

Types Of Hyponatremia

Mainly three types of hyponatremia are there.

• Euvolemic hyponatremia

  Euvolemic hyponatremia implies normal sodium stores and a total body excess of free water. This occurs in patients who take in excess hypotonic fluids.

• Hypervolemic hyponatremia

  Hypervolemic hyponatremia means an increase in total body sodium with a greater increase in total body water. The three main causes of hypervolemic hyponatremia are congestive heart failure, liver cirrhosis, and renal diseases.

• Hypovolemic hyponatremia

  It means a decrease in total body water with a greater decrease in total body sodium.

Hyponatremia are classified into three types such as Euvolemic hyponatremia,Hypervolemic hyponatremia,and Hypovolemic hyponatremia.

Ayurvedic Treatment Of Hyponatremia

As per Ayurveda, the medicines that are helpful for hyponatremia are:

• Lavana

  According to Ayurveda, there are five types of salts. They are Saindhava, Samudrika, Sauvarchala, Vida, and Audbhida and contain a rich source of sodium. Hence useful in hyponatremia. Among them, Saindhava Lavana is the best one because it won't increase pitta dosha in our body. So this salt can be used in a hypertension person.

• Sajjikhar (Barilla / Impure carbonate of soda)

  It is used in the form of alkali, which contains some amount of sodium. So it is very effective for the treatment of hyponatremia. .

• Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera)

  Ashwagandha has the power to restore the electrolyte balance and provide strength to the body and help in hyponatremia symptoms such as muscle weakness, headache, drowsiness, fatigue, etc. It is an excellent nervine tonic. It helps to restore normal neurological functions of our body.

• Brahmi (Bacopa Monnieri)

  Brahmi is one of the rasayanas that helps to balance higher mental functions. It helps to maintain hormonal imbalance hence, it is beneficial in this condition.

As per Ayurveda, the helpful medicines are Lavana, Sajjikhaar, Ashwagandha, and Brahmi.

Diet For Hyponatremia

• Foods to avoid in hyponatremia

  Many people have high blood pressure problems with increasing age. Therefore, they should start removing salt from their food. Also, stop eating processed or packaged food as it contains a lot of sodium. Processed meats like ham, pork, hot dog, sausage should be avoided. The best way to avoid sodium is to eat uncooked or whole foods.

• Food to eat in hyponatremia

  These are foods that have low sodium levels in the blood. Foods like shrimp, ham, instant pudding, cheese, vegetable juice, pizza, sandwiches, processed cheeses, pickles, sauces, biscuits should be eaten.

Home Remedies For Hyponatremia

Some of the home remedies that are useful for Hyponatremia are:

• Coconut water

  Coconut water is profuse with electrolytes and is good for dehydration. It contains sodium, magnesium, and a lot of potassium too.

• Lemon water with salt

  Lemon makes the saltwater taste better, and it has also been shown to help have an alkaline effect on the body.

• Directly consume some amount of salt

  Salt can help improve water excretion.

• Avoid excessive water or fluid consumption

  If you are taking excessive intake of water, the amount of water intake exceeds that of water excretion in the kidney. As a result, the sodium concentration in the blood is diluted, and hyponatremia develops.

• Intake of salt approximate 2-3 grams

  Hyponatremia patients should maintain the daily intake of salt approximately 2-3 grams.

Individuals suffering from Hyponatremia can use home remedies such as coconut water, lemon juice with salt, avoiding excessive water or fluid consumption, and hyponatremia patients should maintain a daily intake of salt of approximately 2-3 grams.

Conclusion

The information about Hyponatremia is taken from different Ayurvedic resources. Please consider the opinion of a qualified Ayurvedic doctor, before consuming Ayurvedic medicines and diet for this condition.