What Is Hyponatremia?

Hyponatremia (low blood sodium) is a condition that means you don’t have enough sodium in your blood.You need some sodium in your bloodstream to control how much water is in and around the cells in your body.

It can happen because of certain medical conditions, some medicines you might be taking, or if you drink too much water.

Because of the low sodium, the amount of water in your body rises and causes your cells to swell. This can lead to many problems. Some are mild, but others can be serious and even life-threatening.

How low is too low? Your blood sodium level is normal if it’s 135 to 145 milliequivalents per liter (mEq/L). If it’s below 135 mEq/L, it’s hyponatremia. Your doctor will be able to tell you whether your level is too low.