What are the consequences of chronic hyponatremia?

Chronic hyponatremia, defined as a serum sodium concentration below the normal range (typically less than 135 mmol/L), may lead to a series of serious health problems. The main consequences include: 1. Neurological symptoms: Mild hyponatremia may cause headache, fatigue, nausea, and vomiting; severe hyponatremia can lead to confusion, disorientation, and even coma. 2. Muscle cramps and fatigue: Sodium ions are essential for maintaining normal neuromuscular function, and hyponatremia may result in muscle weakness and cramps. 3. Cerebral edema: In hyponatremia, the osmotic pressure of the extracellular fluid decreases, causing water to shift into brain tissue and resulting in brain swelling. This is a medical emergency that can be life-threatening. 4. Cardiac dysfunction: Sodium plays a key role in maintaining normal electrophysiological activity in myocardial cells. Hyponatremia may lead to arrhythmias and, in severe cases, heart failure. 5. Impaired kidney function: Chronic hyponatremia may affect normal kidney function, especially when associated with other conditions such as kidney disease. 6. Metabolic disturbances: Hyponatremia may disrupt the body's acid-base balance, further impairing overall metabolism.