Definition

1. Noun:
   • A medical condition characterized by an abnormally low concentration of sodium in the blood: Hyponatremia is an electrolyte imbalance where the sodium level in the blood serum is below the normal range. It is often linked to an excess of water relative to sodium in the body and can be associated with dehydration, among other causes.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • The marathon runner was treated for hyponatremia after drinking excessive amounts of water without replacing electrolytes.
  • Severe vomiting and diarrhea can lead to hyponatremia and dehydration.
  • A diagnosis of hyponatremia requires a blood test to measure serum sodium levels.

Advanced Usage

• "dilutional hyponatremia": a specific type caused by an increase in body water diluting the sodium concentration, often seen in conditions like SIADH (Syndrome of Inappropriate Antidiuretic Hormone Secretion).

  • The patient's heart failure contributed to dilutional hyponatremia.

• "symptomatic hyponatremia": refers to cases where the low sodium level causes noticeable clinical symptoms, which can range from headache and nausea to seizures and coma.

  • Rapid correction is crucial for symptomatic hyponatremia to prevent neurological damage.

Variants and Related Words

• Hyponatremic (adj): describing the state of having hyponatremia.

  • The hyponatremic patient required careful fluid management.

• Hypernatremia (n): the opposite condition, an abnormally high level of sodium in the blood.

• Natremia (n): a term for the presence of sodium in the blood (often used in compound forms like hypo-/hypernatremia).

Synonyms

• Low blood sodium: a direct, non-technical synonym.
• Serum sodium deficiency: a more descriptive clinical term.

Antonyms

• Hypernatremia: abnormally high level of sodium in the blood.

Related Phrases

• "correct hyponatremia": the medical action of treating and normalizing low sodium levels.

  • The goal is to correct hyponatremia slowly to avoid complications.

• "risk of hyponatremia": refers to the potential for developing the condition.

  • Elderly patients on certain diuretics have an increased risk of hyponatremia.

Noun

1. abnormally low level of sodium in the blood; associated with dehydration