Author: Dr. Vikram Chauhan

ABSTRACT

Hyponatremia is the medical condition when the level of serum sodium goes below 135 mEq/L. It is a medically important and common imbalance of electrolyte which can occur due to various situations or medical illnesses like renal failure, heart failure, pneumonia, liver failure etc. Hyponatremia can be mild to severe in form depending upon the level of sodium decreased in serum. In this write up we will learn all about Hyponatremia and its management through herbal remedies.

INTRODUCTION

There are various electrolytes present in the body and sodium is one of them. It is an essential one which helps to maintain the water balance around and inside the cells of the body. This water balance maintained by sodium is important for nerve functioning and proper muscle function along with maintaining normal blood pressure. The insufficiency of sodium in blood is termed as hyponatremia.

This imbalance is caused due to either too much water (diluting the sodium) or too less sodium creating an imbalance. The normal level of sodium in blood should be around 135-145 mEq/L. However when the sodium goes down to range below 135 mEq/L, the condition is hyponatremia.

When this level of sodium decreases in the cells, too much water starts to move inside the cells resulting in their swelling up. To be noted, this is not a minor change but a major one which can alter almost all the other functions of the body resulting in various signs and symptoms. Various diseases affecting the liver, kidneys, heart, or certain medicines can cause this condition. However the condition can usually be reversed with proper treatment and the patient gets back to being healthy.

SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS

Signs and symptoms in patients suffering from hyponatremia can differ depending upon the speed of depletion of sodium. If the sodium level in blood falls slowly and gradually then the patient is likely to not experience any of them, however if the depletion occurs at a faster rate then the complaints are severe. Some of the common signs and symptoms seen are

• Fatigue
• Lack of energy or lethargy
• Weakness
• Nausea and vomiting
• Headache
• Spasm or cramps in muscles
• Changes in mental status
• In severe cases the patient can have seizures, loss of consciousness and coma

CAUSES

Low sodium or hyponatremia, i.e. low sodium level in blood can occur due to various reasons. The basic cause behind it can be losing a lot much water and electrolytes. Some of the major causes for hyponatremia are:

• Severe diarrhea or vomiting
• Intake of diuretics
• Intake of antidepressants or other certain medications
• Kidney failure or other kidney disease
• Liver disease
• Dehydration
• During exercise drinking water in large quantity
• Congestive heart failure or other heart ailments
• Adrenal gland disorder affecting its ability to maintain a balance of potassium, sodium and water in the body
• Hypothyroidism
• Diabetes insipidus in which the body does not make the antidiuretic hormone
• Inappropriate antidiuretic hormone syndrome resulting in retention of water in the body
• Polydipsia i.e. excessive thirst leading to drink too much water
• Cushing syndrome

DIAGNOSIS

Hyponatremia can easily be detected by a simple blood test which will indicate the low levels of sodium in the blood. Medical history presenting the signs and symptoms will make your doctor doubt hyponatremia further on blood tests. Even if the patient does not have signs and symptoms regular metabolic panels will show it up. On discovering the low level of sodium in your blood further urine tests are advised to check its level in urine. The Results of the urine test will help to determine the exact cause behind hyponatremia.

If the level of sodium in urine is high, it means there is increased loss of sodium from your body and if the level is low in urine as well, this indicates the low intake or there is too much water in the body.

TREATMENT

Treatment for hyponatremia depends upon the cause of it. However the certain measures taken conventionally are:

• Decreasing the intake of fluid
• Treatment of underlying cause like liver, kidney, heart or brain disease
• Cutting off the diuretics or adjusting the dosage
• Intravenous infusion of sodium solution
• Other symptomatic treatment is given for weakness, headache, nausea etc.

Ayurveda here can help in treating the underlying condition and maintaining the level of the sodium in the body naturally. There are certain herbs and compounds which help in making a balance between electrolytes in the body. Ayurveda is the holistic science which not only treats the presenting complaints but also deals to eradicate the root cause behind it.

HERBAL REMEDIES BY PLANET AYURVEDA

Planet Ayurveda is a very well known herbal pharmaceutical company that indulges in the production of herbal medicines and products. All the production is under the strict supervision of the MD Ayurveda doctors and classical Ayurvedic literature is the base of the production. No dye, chemicals, fillers, preservatives, colors, and yeasts are used in any herbal medicine which enhances their efficiency. For hyponatremia, Planet Ayurveda offers a combination of herbal remedies that helps in management of the ailment.

Product List

1. Chitrakadi vati
2. Lavan bhaskar churna
3. Brahmi capsule
4. Neuroplan syrup

Product Description

1. Chitrakadi vati

It is classical Ayurvedic formulation prepared from various herbs like Pippali (Piper longum), Chitraka (Plumbago zeylanica), Shunthi (Zingiber officinale), Maricha (Piper nigrum), Chavya (Piper chaba) etc. Chitrakadi vati helps in treating diarrhea and hence prevents dehydration. These tablets also improve the function of the liver.

Dosage– Take 2 tablets twice daily after meals with plain water

2. Lavan bhaskar churna

The chief ingredient of this churna is Rock salt, Black salt, Coriander (Coriandrum sativum), Peepal (Ficus religiosa), Black cumin (Nigella sativa), Anardana (Punica granatum), Black pepper (Piper nigrum), Piplamool (Piper longum) etc. Lavan bhaskar churna helps to fill the sodium deficiency in the blood that is too naturally. It also helps to relieve gastric issues like constipation, gas, bloating etc.

Dosage– Take 1 tsp twice daily with buttermilk or plain water

3. Brahmi capsule

Bacopa monnieri (Brahmi) in standardized form is used to prepare these herbal capsules. Brahmi is known as the brain tonic and hence these capsules help to treat the ailments of the nervous system like confusion, weak memory, seizures and irritability.

Dosage– Take 2 capsules twice daily after meals with plain water

4. Neuroplan Syrup

This multi herbal syrup as the name suggests helps to maintain a good nervous system balance and help to treat its ailments as well. In hyponatremia, Neuroplan syrup helps to treat seizures, loss of consciousness, confusion, and other brain related symptoms. It is prepared from Brahmi (Bacopa monnieri), Mandukaparni (Centella asiatica), Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera), Shankhpushpi (Convolvulus pluricaulis), Jyotishmati (Celastrus paniculatus) etc herbs.

Dosage– Take 2 teaspoon twice daily after meals with plain water

CONCLUSION

Hyponatremia is a common ailment that can affect people of any age or gender. However people suffering from kidney, liver, heart or brain disease are more prone to it also the severity of symptoms depends upon the level of the sodium. Some patients even might not have any complaints while others can have serious conditions. Herbal remedies by Planet Ayurveda help in refilling this deficiency of sodium and maintain the balance of electrolytes in the body naturally.