What are the causes and characteristics of sodium imbalances?
Hypernatremia (serum Na>145 mEq/L) is caused by high sodium intake, low water intake, severe GI loss, excessive perspiration, salt-water drowning, IV solutions high in sodium, hypertonic saline abortions, bladder irrigation, problems with elimination, and hemostatic dysfunction. When ECF sodium is high, the kidneys conserve chloride and water. Hyponatremia low (serum K<3.5 mEq/L) is caused by nutrition and metabolic problems, advanced renal disorders, excessive diuretics, and the syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone (SIADH). When ECF sodium is low, water moves out of vascular space and into the interstitial and intracellular spaces, causing edema.
