Heatwave: what is hyponatremia, a disorder on which the government warns?

in collaboration with

Dr Gérald Kierzek (Medical Director of Doctissimo)

The name may mean nothing to you, and yet: hyponatremia can be serious, even fatal. This decrease in the concentration of sodium in the blood, more common in summer when it is very hot, occurs when a person “drinks too much”. But how to recognize this state of hyperhydration and prevent it? Dr. Kierzek’s answers.

Hyponatremia, excess water in the body

It is on social networks that the Ministry of Solidarity and Health alerted the population. “Excessive water consumption can cause hyponatremia.he warns this Monday, July 18, before adding that it is a “decrease in the concentration of sodium (salt) in the blood”.

Concretely, this state of hyperhydration occurs when the proportion of sodium in the body is less than 136 mmol/L whereas usually, the measurement of the sodium level in the blood is between 135 to 145 mmol/L.

People with a psychiatric illness, such as potomania (irrepressible need to drink water), frail, elderly or sick people (heart, kidney, liver, respiratory failure, cirrhosis, certain cancers) and those taking medications – especially blood pressure medications – are more at risk.

The elderly are particularly affected by this disorder during heat waves, because they often drink a lot of water and have altered or even absent perspiration. Result: the body “dilutes” quickly. Reason why it is important to drink, but in a reasonable way.

Symptoms of hypotranemia

In case of hyponatremia, the symptoms to recognize are the following:

• Abnormal tiredness;
• Nausea;
• Vomiting;
• Recent appearance of swelling (edema);
• Consciousness disorders;
• Mental confusion ;
• Seizures;
• Coma.

To prevent this problem, nothing could be simpler: it is enough to limit the quantity of water drunk per day (which one finds in still or sparkling water, but also fruity or sweetened drinks, fruits and vegetables full of ‘water…).

If, however, the onset of hyponatremia occurs, call the SAMU immediately. Resuscitation may be required.