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

The symptoms and signs of hyponatremia depend on the severity. — Angelica Bottaro, Verywell Health, 20 Jan. 2026

Expect more cases of hyponatremia as the popularity of the drinks surges. — Cara Lynn Shultz, PEOPLE, 12 June 2026

In extreme cases of hyponatremia, doctors feed patients extremely salty solutions, such as a half-cup of broth made with four standard beef bouillon cubes. — Claire Cameron, Scientific American, 2 July 2026

The cause of death, Hofmann said, was complications from hyponatremia, a condition that occurs when the level of sodium in the blood is too low. — George Varga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 19 Sep. 2025

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

1935, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for hyponatremia

• academia
• azotemia
• bacteremia
• hyperaemia
• hyperemia
• hypoxemia
• septicaemia
• septicemia
• thalassaemia
• thalassemia
• tularemia
• anaemia

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