Sodium Disorders Hyponatremia

what are the normal sodium levels?

135-145 mEq/L

what does serum sodium tell us?

the balance of sodium and water in the body

what is the sodium value for hypernatremia?

over 145

what does it mean in terms of water and sodium balance when someone has hypernatremia?

too much water is leaving the cells, there is much more sodium present

what happens to cells in hypernatremia?

water is leaving the cells so the cell shrinks

what sodium value indicates hyponatremia?

less than 135

what does it mean in terms of water and fluid balance in cells in hyponatremia?

water enters the cells so the cell swells up

what part of the body do we care about most in sodium disorders?

the brain because it is vulnerable to changes in sodium

what happens to brain cells in hypernatremia?

brain cells shrink

what happens to brain cells in hyponatremia?

brain cells swell

what side effects does hypernatremia and hyponatremia cause in the brain?

it causes confusion, seizures, or coma