hyponatremia

noun

hy·​po·​na·​tre·​mia ˌhī-pō-nā-ˈtrē-mē-ə 

variants or chiefly British hyponatraemia

medical

: the condition of having an abnormally low level of sodium in the blood that is typically marked by nausea, vomiting, headache, confusion, fatigue, and muscle cramps and that when severe may be life-threatening if untreated

… aspirin and other pain relievers like ibuprofen … seem to increase the risk for hyponatremia.

—Harvard Health Letter

Hyponatremia, or having low sodium, can cause seizures, coma and even death if untreated.

—Lisa Sanders

Research showed that hydrating too much over the long haul—during a marathon, say, or a long-distance bike ride—dilutes the blood's salt content and can lead to hyponatremia.

—Jeffrey Kluger

hyponatremic

ˌhī-pō-nā-ˈtrē-ik 

adjective

or chiefly British hyponatraemic

hyponatremic encephalopathy

hyponatremic athletes

Examples of hyponatremia in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Take a peek back in time Because an adult kidney can excrete between 20-28 liters of water per day, someone would have to drink almost one full gallon of water within just a few hours to induce hyponatremia, according to a 2013 study published in the National Library of Medicine. —Kira Caspers, The Arizona Republic, 13 Mar. 2024

Symptoms of drinking too much water Similar to heat exhaustion, symptoms of hyponatremia can include nausea, headache, fatigue, muscle weakness or cramps and in extreme cases seizures or coma. —Kira Caspers, The Arizona Republic, 13 Mar. 2024

Drinking too much water could even lead to a rare but serious condition called hyponatremia, in which the amount of sodium in the blood drops to dangerous levels, Jacob cautioned. —Jani Hall, Health, 21 Feb. 2024

Water intoxication Water intoxication, also called water poisoning, occurs when there is so much fluid that the excess cannot be removed by sweating or urinating and causes hyponatremia, a condition in which the blood’s sodium level is below normal range. —Taylor Nicioli, CNN, 18 Feb. 2024

By providing this essential electrolyte, the powder helps prevent hyponatremia and ensures your body functions at its best. —Amber Smith, Discover Magazine, 30 Aug. 2023

Consuming an excessive amount of water, especially in a short period of time, can dilute your electrolytes and possibly cause a condition known as hyponatremia that can result in swelling of the brain. —Bryant Stamford, The Courier-Journal, 27 July 2023

Heat exhaustion, heat stroke, hyponatremia, and death can occur when exposed to high temperatures. —Gabe Hauari, USA TODAY, 10 Aug. 2023

Symptoms of hyponatremia include nausea or vomiting, headache, confusion, and fatigue, among other things. —Korin Miller, Health, 3 Aug. 2023

Word History

Etymology

hypo- + New Latin natrium "sodium" + -emia — more at natriuresis

First Known Use

1935, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

hyponatremia

noun

hy·​po·​na·​tre·​mia

variants or chiefly British hyponatraemia

-nā-ˈtrē-mē-ə 

: the condition of having an abnormally low level of sodium in the blood that is typically marked by nausea, vomiting, headache, confusion, fatigue, and muscle cramps and that when severe may be life-threatening if untreated

… aspirin and other pain relievers like ibuprofen … seem to increase the risk for hyponatremia.

—Harvard Health Letter

hyponatremic adjective

or chiefly British hyponatraemic

-mik