Excessively high blood sodium levels causing cellular dehydration.
Hypernatremia is an abnormally high concentration of sodium in the bloodstream, disrupting fluid balance and causing cellular dehydration.
Hypernatremia occurs when sodium concentration exceeds 145 mEq/L, representing either absolute sodium excess or relative water deficit. Because sodium is the primary osmotically active solute in extracellular fluid, hypernatremia draws water out of cells through osmosis, causing cellular dehydration. Symptoms include thirst, confusion, lethargy, and in severe cases, seizures and coma. Primary causes include excessive salt intake combined with inadequate water consumption, insensible water losses from diarrhea or sweating without fluid replacement, and diabetes insipidus. Hypernatremia is particularly dangerous in elderly individuals and those with impaired thirst mechanisms. Unlike hyponatremia (low sodium), hypernatremia treatment focuses on gradual water replacement to avoid rapid osmotic shifts that can cause cerebral edema.
Hypernatremia causes osmotic fluid shifts leading to cellular dehydration and neurological symptoms.
Prevention involves maintaining adequate fluid intake relative to sodium intake and salt consumption. Address excessive salt intake from processed foods by choosing fresh, whole foods. Ensure regular water consumption throughout the day, particularly during illness with diarrhea or fever. Monitor fluid balance carefully in elderly individuals or those with diabetes insipidus.
Hypernatremia results from excessive sodium with inadequate water and requires gradual water replacement to safely restore osmotic balance.
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