Can low sodium cause confusion in the elderly?
Low blood sodium is common in older adults, especially those who are hospitalized or living in long-term care facilities. Signs and symptoms of hyponatremia can include altered personality, lethargy and confusion. Severe hyponatremia can cause seizures, coma and even death.
What causes hyponatremia in elderly?
Hyponatremia in elderly subjects is mainly caused by drugs (more frequently thiazides and antidepressants), the syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone secretion (SIAD) or endocrinopathies; however, hyponatremia is multifactorial in a significant proportion of patients.
Can low sodium cause delusions?
In severe cases, low sodium can lead to: Decreased consciousness, hallucinations or coma.
What causes low sodium and confusion?
Sodium is an electrolyte that plays an essential role in regulating levels of water and other substances in the body. When sodium levels in the blood become too low, it leads to hyponatremia, causing symptoms that include lethargy, confusion, and fatigue.
Can an elderly person recover from low sodium?
If sodium levels drop too much or too quickly, hyponatremia can quickly become life-threatening. Therapy may be short-term or long-term, but with early diagnosis and treatment, most people can fully recover from hyponatremia.
What causes low sodium and low potassium levels in the elderly?
What Causes Low Sodium in Elderly People? Medications such as diuretics, some types of antidepressants, and anti-seizure medications. Decreased liver, heart, or kidney function. Illnesses that can cause dehydration such as pneumonia.
Does hyponatremia cause psychosis?
Symptoms of hyponatremia can range from increased psychotic symptoms to seizures, coma and even death.
Can severe dehydration cause psychosis?
Dehydration May Cause Psychotic Symptoms. This can result in a state of hyponatremia, which can cause hallucinations or coma, which some may interpret as catatonia, reports MedlinePlus.
How do elderly increase sodium levels?
How to Increase Sodium Levels in Elderly People
- Adjust or change medications.
- Cut back on water and fluid consumption.
- Seek treatment for underlying conditions or diseases.
- Eat foods that are high in sodium.
- Increase dietary protein to aid in water excretion.
- Infusing an intravenous sodium solution.
What are the risk factors for hyponatremia in older adults?
Older adults may have more contributing factors for hyponatremia, including age-related changes, taking certain medications and a greater likelihood of developing a chronic disease that alters the body’s sodium balance. Certain drugs.
How does hyponatremia affect the body?
In hyponatremia, one or more factors — ranging from an underlying medical condition to drinking too much water — cause the sodium in your body to become diluted. When this happens, your body’s water levels rise, and your cells begin to swell. This swelling can cause many health problems, from mild to life-threatening.
What causes decreased serum sodium concentration in the elderly?
Decreased serum sodium concentration is a rather common finding in the elderly population because of the presence of factors contributing to increased ADH and the frequent prescription of drugs associated with hyponatremia such as thiazides or antidepressants.
What is the most common cause of hyponatraemia?
Although hyponatraemia has many potential causes, the commonest cause is believed to be the syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone (SIADH) [Hannon and Thompson, 2010; Huda et al. 2006]. Given the high prevalence of hyponatraemia in older people, SIADH should also be highly prevalent in this population.