Can You Fix Low Sodium? Treatment Options and Management

November 29, 2025 •

4 min read

According to Mayo Clinic, hyponatremia—the medical term for low blood sodium—is a common electrolyte imbalance with a range of possible causes. So, can you fix low sodium? Yes, with appropriate medical supervision, and the best course of action depends on the underlying cause and severity of the condition.

Quick Summary

Hyponatremia is often fixed by addressing the root cause, which can range from overhydration to underlying medical conditions. Treatment methods include fluid restriction, dietary adjustments, and, in severe cases, intravenous fluids to restore the body's sodium balance safely.

Key Points

Medical Supervision is Essential: Do not attempt to self-treat low sodium without a doctor's diagnosis, as the cause and severity dictate the correct approach.
Address the Underlying Cause: Treatment focuses on resolving the root issue, which could be anything from medication side effects to organ dysfunction.
Fluid Restriction for Mild Cases: For chronic, diet-related hyponatremia, restricting fluid intake (especially water) can prevent further dilution of sodium.
Increase Dietary Sodium Strategically: In mild cases, a doctor may recommend adding high-sodium foods like broth, pickles, or salted nuts to your diet.
Intravenous (IV) Fluids for Severe Cases: Severe hyponatremia requires hospitalization and a carefully controlled IV saline solution to correct sodium levels.
Monitor for Dangerously Rapid Correction: During medical treatment for severe cases, doctors closely monitor sodium levels to prevent rapid overcorrection, which can cause brain damage.
Replenish Electrolytes During Exercise: Athletes should use sports drinks containing electrolytes during prolonged, intense exercise rather than just plain water to avoid diluting sodium.

Understanding Low Sodium (Hyponatremia)

Low blood sodium, known as hyponatremia, occurs when the concentration of sodium in your blood is abnormally low. Sodium is a vital electrolyte that helps regulate the fluid balance in and around your cells, and is crucial for proper nerve and muscle function. When sodium levels drop below the normal range of 135 to 145 mEq/L, cells can begin to swell as water moves into them, which can be particularly dangerous for brain cells.

There are several reasons why your sodium levels might fall out of balance, including medical conditions, certain medications, or simply drinking too much water. It's important to consult a healthcare professional for a proper diagnosis and treatment plan, as self-treatment can be dangerous, especially in severe cases.

Causes of Low Sodium

Numerous factors can lead to hyponatremia. The cause determines the appropriate corrective action.

Overhydration (drinking too much water): This can dilute the sodium concentration in your blood, especially during intense endurance activities like marathons.
Certain medications: Diuretics (water pills), antidepressants, and some pain medications can interfere with your body's sodium regulation.
Underlying medical conditions: Congestive heart failure, kidney disease, and liver cirrhosis can cause fluid retention, diluting blood sodium.
Hormonal imbalances: Conditions like Addison's disease or SIADH (syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone secretion) can disrupt fluid and sodium balance.
Severe vomiting or diarrhea: Excessive fluid loss can lead to a significant loss of sodium, especially if replaced with plain water.
Low-solute intake (e.g., "beer potomania"): A diet very low in protein and electrolytes combined with high fluid intake can lead to low sodium.

Dietary and Lifestyle Adjustments

For mild, chronic cases of hyponatremia, your doctor may recommend dietary and lifestyle changes to help restore sodium levels. This must be done carefully and under medical supervision to avoid overcorrection.

Fluid restriction: Cutting back on fluid intake, especially plain water, can prevent further dilution of sodium levels.
Increasing dietary sodium: In mild cases, a doctor may advise increasing your salt intake, often through specific foods. Healthy sources can include:**
- Broth-based soups
- Fermented foods like sauerkraut and pickles
- Salted nuts and seeds
- Cottage cheese and other dairy products
- Canned seafood, such as tuna or salmon
Consuming electrolyte-rich fluids: For athletes or those experiencing fluid loss due to illness, sports drinks or oral rehydration solutions can help replenish lost electrolytes. Coconut water is another natural option.
Addressing underlying issues: For those with persistent vomiting or diarrhea, taking anti-nausea or antidiarrheal medication (with a doctor's guidance) can help prevent further fluid and sodium loss.

Medical Treatment for Severe Cases

For severe, acute hyponatremia, especially with neurological symptoms like seizures, immediate medical treatment is necessary. This requires hospitalization and careful monitoring to avoid a dangerously rapid correction of sodium levels.

Intravenous (IV) saline solution: Healthcare providers may administer a concentrated sodium solution to slowly and carefully raise blood sodium levels.
Adjusting medications: If a medication is the cause, the dosage may be adjusted or the medication may be switched.
Specific medications: In cases of SIADH or other hormone-related issues, medications like vaptans may be used to help the body excrete excess water while retaining sodium.
Treating the underlying condition: If hyponatremia is caused by heart, kidney, or liver disease, treating that specific condition is the primary goal.

Dietary Adjustments vs. Medical Intervention


Feature	Mild/Chronic Low Sodium (Home Management)	Severe/Acute Low Sodium (Medical Management)
Symptom Severity	Mild or no symptoms; gradual onset	Severe neurological symptoms (seizures, confusion); rapid onset
Primary Cause	Overhydration, specific medications, diet-related issues	Significant fluid loss (vomiting/diarrhea), underlying organ failure, hormonal issues
Fluid Management	Physician-guided fluid restriction to limit plain water	Intravenous (IV) saline solutions to restore sodium levels carefully
Sodium Intake	Moderate increase via dietary salt and natural sources	IV administration of concentrated sodium solutions under hospital supervision
Medication Use	Adjustment or change in offending medication (e.g., diuretics)	Specialized drugs (vaptans) for specific causes (e.g., SIADH)
Monitoring	Regular follow-up blood tests as advised by a doctor	Continuous, real-time hospital monitoring to prevent rapid overcorrection
Risk of Overcorrection	Low, if following a doctor's plan; still requires caution	High; rapid correction can cause dangerous neurological complications

Conclusion: Seeking Professional Guidance is Key

Whether you can fix low sodium depends entirely on its cause and severity. For mild cases, lifestyle adjustments like fluid restriction and incorporating specific foods can be effective under a doctor's supervision. In contrast, severe, symptomatic hyponatremia is a medical emergency requiring immediate and careful hospital-based treatment, often involving IV fluids and medication. It is crucial never to attempt to self-treat severe hyponatremia by simply increasing salt intake, as this can be dangerous. The most important step is always to seek a professional diagnosis to determine the appropriate and safest course of action for restoring your sodium balance.

For more detailed information on hyponatremia, its causes, and treatment, see the official Medscape reference.(https://emedicine.medscape.com/article/242166-treatment)

Frequently Asked Questions

The fastest way to raise sodium levels depends on the severity. In severe, acute cases, the only safe way is with carefully administered intravenous (IV) saline solution in a hospital setting under constant medical supervision. For mild cases, a doctor might recommend fluids with sodium, such as sports drinks or broths.

The type of fluid to drink depends on the underlying cause. If recommended by your doctor for mild cases, sports drinks or oral rehydration solutions are good options. In other situations, fluid restriction might be advised instead. In severe hyponatremia, drinking plain water can worsen the condition.

No. You should not attempt to treat low sodium on your own, especially if you have symptoms. It is crucial to get a proper diagnosis, as the wrong treatment can be dangerous. Mild cases may involve dietary adjustments, but only as directed by a healthcare professional.

The time it takes to fix low sodium varies greatly depending on the cause and severity. Mild, chronic cases may be resolved over several days or weeks with dietary changes, while severe cases require immediate medical intervention and careful correction over hours or days.

Yes, several medications can cause hyponatremia by affecting the body's fluid and sodium balance. These include diuretics ('water pills'), some antidepressants (SSRIs), and certain pain medicines. It is important to discuss medication side effects with your doctor.

Correcting low sodium too quickly is extremely dangerous and can lead to osmotic demyelination syndrome (ODS), a condition involving severe and permanent brain damage. This is why medical treatment, especially for severe cases, is done slowly and under close monitoring.

If advised by a doctor, some high-sodium foods include broths, soups, salted nuts, pickles, sauerkraut, and canned seafood. Always check labels, as processed foods can be very high in sodium, and moderation is key unless specifically instructed otherwise.