🧠 What Is Hyponatremia?
Hyponatremia = low blood sodium (<135 mmol/L)
Sodium is essential for:
Fluid balance 💧
Nerve signals 🧠
Muscle function 💪
Low sodium can cause:
Headache
Nausea and vomiting
Confusion
Muscle cramps
In severe cases: seizures or coma 🚨
🎯 Nutrition Goals in Hyponatremia
Nutritional management focuses on:
Correcting sodium levels safely
Preventing further dilution
Treating the underlying cause
⚠️ Important: Rapid correction can be dangerous—dietary changes should match medical advice.
🧂 1. Sodium Intake: Not Too Little, Not Reckless
Unlike hypertension, hyponatremia may require adequate or slightly increased sodium intake, depending on the cause.
Dietary strategies:
Include moderate-sodium foods if advised
Avoid very low-salt diets unless contraindicated
Examples:
Soups and broths 🍲
Salted cereals or grains
Cheese and fermented foods
Salted nuts (in moderation)
🚫 Avoid excessive salt loading unless prescribed—it’s not a DIY fix.
💧 2. Fluid Restriction (Yes, Sometimes Less Is More)
In many cases—especially dilutional hyponatremia—the issue isn’t low salt intake but too much fluid.
Nutritional management may include:
Limiting total fluid intake (often 1–1.5 L/day, as prescribed)
Reducing excessive intake of:
Water
Herbal teas
Diluted juices
💡 Tip: Count all liquids, not just water.
🍽️ 3. Adequate Protein & Energy Intake
Low protein intake can worsen hyponatremia by affecting kidney water excretion.
Encourage:
Adequate protein from:
Fish
Eggs
Legumes
Lean meat
Balanced meals to prevent malnutrition
Good nutrition helps the kidneys handle water better.
🥤 4. Be Careful With “Healthy” Drinks
Some drinks can worsen hyponatremia:
Limit or avoid:
Excessive plain water
Alcohol 🍺 (impairs sodium balance)
Very diluted fluids
Use cautiously:
Oral rehydration solutions (only when indicated)
Sports drinks (may help mild cases but not severe ones)
🧪 5. Cause-Specific Nutrition Matters
Hyponatremia is not one-size-fits-all.
Nutrition differs if it’s due to:
Diuretics
Heart failure
Kidney or liver disease
SIADH
Endurance exercise
👉 Always tailor nutrition to the underlying diagnosis.
⚠️ What NOT to Do
Don’t suddenly overload salt
Don’t force fluids “because hydration”
Don’t self-correct severe symptoms at home
Hyponatremia can be life-threatening if mishandled.