Causes
Many factors [5] may contribute to the onset of low blood sodium levels. They are:
Heart, kidney [6], or liver disease [7]: Diseases that can cause an accumulation of body water which will cause a dilution of Na + in the blood, thus reducing its value can lead to hyponatremia.
Drugs: Diuretics [8], namely thiazide diuretics, are drugs that have hyponatremia as a side effect, representing a frequent cause of this clinical condition. Patients with diabetes insipidus, a disease resulting from a lack of antidiuretic hormone (ADH), if they take too much ADH can develop hyponatremia.
Excessive water intake: Athletes when they do intense physical exercise (like marathon runners) and drink too much water; Ecstasy users feel thirsty and drink too much water; Primary polydipsia that is caused by an abnormality of the regulating center of thirst or may originate in psychosomatic illnesses and that leads to excessive fluid intake.
Blood loss: Example. After serious accidents.
Severe or chronic diarrhea or vomiting: They [9] may cause loss of body fluids and electrolytes, namely Na +.
Endocrine diseases: Hypothyroidism and adrenal insufficiency (Addison’s disease) [10].
Inappropriate Anti-Diuretic Hormone Secretion Syndrome: In this syndrome [11], there is an increase in ADH levels, which causes the body to accumulate water, instead of excreting it in the urine. The main causes are the disease of the central nervous system, malignant disease, some drugs, trauma, and recent cranial surgery.
Pregnancy: the release of the placental hormone beta-HCG during pregnancy may be responsible for a readjustment in the release of ADH that can induce a drop in Na + levels in the order of 5 mEq/L.