Category: Fluid and electrolyte balance

Hyponatremia, defined as a serum sodium concentration below 135 mEq/L, affects up to 20% of hospitalized patients. While its treatment is highly dependent on the cause and severity, normal saline (NS) plays a crucial role, particularly in cases of hypovolemic hyponatremia. Understanding how NS helps with hyponatremia is key for effective and safe medical intervention.

As many as 50% of ileostomy patients experience high stoma output, which significantly elevates their risk for dehydration and subsequent electrolyte imbalance. An ileostomy bypasses the colon's vital function of absorbing water and salts, making it crucial for patients to understand and identify what are the symptoms of electrolyte imbalance in ileostomy patients.