Sodium is an electrolyte that is needed in your bloodstream to regulate the amount of water in and around the cells throughout your body. When the level of sodium in your blood is too low—known as hyponatremia—excess water can cause a range of health problems. Read on for 10 more things you should know about hyponatremia, including causes, symptoms, and treatment.
Cause: too much water
One of the most common scenarios in cases of hyponatremia is not actually too little sodium in your system but, rather, too much water causing your blood to become diluted. When your body’s water levels increase out of step with sodium, your cells can begin to swell. Underlying medical conditions and a wide variety of other factors can cause this dilution.