How Do You Treat a Lack of Salt in the Body? A Guide to Hyponatremia

December 9, 2025 •

4 min read

Hyponatremia, the medical term for a lack of salt, or low sodium levels, affects an estimated 4-7% of the ambulatory population. This condition is caused by an imbalance between total body water and sodium and can range from a mild inconvenience to a medical emergency.

Quick Summary

Treatment for low sodium varies depending on its cause and severity, and may involve fluid restriction, dietary changes, and addressing underlying medical conditions. In serious cases, intravenous fluids may be necessary to correct the imbalance under medical supervision. Management strategies focus on restoring the proper sodium-water balance in the body.

Key Points

Identify the cause: Treatment for low sodium (hyponatremia) depends on identifying the underlying cause, whether it's fluid loss, excess water intake, or other medical conditions.
Address underlying conditions: Management involves addressing primary issues like heart failure, kidney disease, or SIADH, which may contribute to the imbalance.
Use IV saline for severe cases: In severe, symptomatic hyponatremia, hypertonic saline may be given intravenously under close medical supervision to raise sodium levels safely.
Restrict fluids for euvolemic cases: For euvolemic or hypervolemic hyponatremia, fluid restriction is a common approach to reduce excess water in the body.
Correct slowly to prevent damage: Rapidly correcting sodium levels is dangerous and can cause brain damage, known as osmotic demyelination syndrome, so a gradual approach is vital.
Adjust medications as needed: If diuretics or other medications are the cause, a doctor may adjust the dosage or switch prescriptions to manage sodium levels.
Consider dietary changes for mild cases: For mild hyponatremia, a doctor may suggest increasing dietary salt through foods or electrolyte-rich drinks.

What is Hyponatremia?

Hyponatremia is a condition defined by a lower-than-normal sodium level in the blood, typically less than 135 mEq/L. Sodium is a critical electrolyte that regulates blood pressure, controls fluid balance, and is essential for proper nerve and muscle function. The imbalance can occur in three primary ways based on the body's fluid volume:

Hypovolemic hyponatremia: Occurs when both water and sodium are lost, but sodium loss is greater. This can result from severe vomiting, diarrhea, or diuretic use.
Euvolemic hyponatremia: Total body water increases while total sodium remains normal. A common cause is the Syndrome of Inappropriate Antidiuretic Hormone (SIADH) or excessive water consumption.
Hypervolemic hyponatremia: An increase in both sodium and water occurs, but the water gain is greater. This is often associated with conditions like heart failure, cirrhosis, or kidney disease.

Medical Treatments for Low Sodium

Treating a lack of salt in the body, or hyponatremia, is highly specific to the underlying cause and the severity of the condition. Medical supervision is crucial, especially for severe or rapidly developing cases, to ensure safe and effective correction of sodium levels.

Acute and Severe Hyponatremia

In cases of severe, acute hyponatremia, where symptoms like confusion, seizures, or coma are present, immediate medical intervention is necessary. This aggressive treatment is often administered in a hospital setting to carefully monitor sodium levels. Options include:

Intravenous (IV) Saline: A healthcare professional may administer a concentrated (hypertonic) sodium solution directly into the bloodstream to slowly and safely raise sodium levels.
Medications: Certain medications, such as vasopressin receptor antagonists (vaptans), can help the body excrete excess water while retaining sodium.
Dialysis: For severe cases related to kidney failure, dialysis may be used to remove excess fluid and correct the electrolyte imbalance.

Chronic and Mild Hyponatremia

For more moderate, chronic cases, treatment focuses on addressing the root cause and implementing less aggressive measures. A doctor might recommend:

Fluid Restriction: For those with excess fluid, limiting daily intake of water and other low-sodium fluids like tea or coffee can be effective.
Dietary Adjustments: Your doctor may suggest increasing dietary sodium through salty foods or adding salt to meals, if appropriate for your underlying health condition.
Medication Review: If diuretics or other medications are contributing to the condition, the doctor may adjust the dosage or switch to an alternative.

Dietary and Lifestyle Management

For individuals with mild hyponatremia, or as a supporting measure for more severe cases, certain dietary and lifestyle changes can help manage sodium levels.

Comparison of Treatment Approaches for Hyponatremia


Treatment Strategy	Suitable for	Key Consideration	Risk of Overcorrection	Speed of Correction
IV Hypertonic Saline	Severe, symptomatic hyponatremia	Requires close hospital monitoring	High	Rapid
Fluid Restriction	Mild-to-moderate euvolemic/hypervolemic hyponatremia	Requires patient adherence and consistent monitoring	Low	Gradual
Medication (e.g., Vaptans)	Moderate-to-severe euvolemic/hypervolemic hyponatremia	Not for hypovolemia; requires careful initiation and monitoring	Moderate	Variable
Dietary Sodium Increase	Mild hypovolemic hyponatremia	Requires monitoring for blood pressure impact; not suitable for hypervolemia	Low	Gradual
Treating Underlying Cause	All types, as appropriate	Long-term solution; effectiveness depends on the primary condition	Variable	Variable

Natural Ways to Boost Sodium

Electrolyte-Rich Beverages: Sports drinks are often recommended to replace sodium lost during intense exercise or due to dehydration from vomiting or diarrhea.
Salt-Rich Foods: Incorporating foods naturally high in sodium or with added salt, like salted nuts, cheese, broths, and cured meats (with doctor's approval), can help.
Add Salt to Home-Cooked Meals: For those with mild deficits, adding a controlled amount of salt to fresh, homemade meals is a simple way to increase intake.
Ensure Balanced Nutrition: A diet rich in fresh fruits, vegetables, and lean proteins helps maintain overall electrolyte balance and supports healthy kidney function.

Potential Complications and What to Watch For

While treating a lack of salt is essential, it must be done carefully. Correcting sodium levels too quickly can lead to a serious and life-threatening condition called osmotic demyelination syndrome (ODS), which can cause brain damage. This is why medical oversight is critical, especially when IV saline is used. Other risks of unmanaged or improperly treated hyponatremia include seizures, coma, and brain swelling.

When to See a Doctor

It is crucial to seek immediate medical attention if someone experiences serious symptoms of hyponatremia, such as confusion, seizures, or loss of consciousness. For less severe symptoms like persistent headaches, nausea, or muscle cramps, it is important to consult a healthcare professional, especially if you are at high risk due to another medical condition or medication. A doctor can determine the underlying cause and recommend a safe treatment plan, whether it involves fluid restriction, dietary changes, or other medical interventions.

Conclusion

Treating a lack of salt in the body, or hyponatremia, requires a careful and individualized approach. Depending on the cause and severity, treatments can range from simple dietary changes and fluid management to more intensive medical interventions like IV fluids in a hospital setting. It is always important to address the underlying cause and correct sodium levels at a safe pace to avoid complications. By working with a healthcare professional, individuals can safely and effectively manage their condition and restore a healthy fluid and electrolyte balance.

For more detailed medical information on hyponatremia and its management, consult the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) and other reputable health resources. Read more here.

Frequently Asked Questions

Symptoms of low salt can include headache, nausea, fatigue, confusion, muscle weakness or cramps, and in severe cases, seizures or coma.

You should seek emergency care if you or someone you know experiences severe symptoms like confusion, seizures, loss of consciousness, or severe vomiting or diarrhea.

Yes, for cases of dehydration due to intense exercise, vomiting, or diarrhea, sports drinks can help replenish lost electrolytes, including sodium.

Yes, increasing salt intake without medical advice can be dangerous, especially if you have an underlying condition like heart failure or kidney disease. Always consult a doctor first.

Fluid restriction involves limiting your intake of water and other fluids. It is often recommended by doctors for certain types of hyponatremia where the body has retained excess water.

Common causes include severe vomiting or diarrhea, overuse of diuretics, excessive water intake, and underlying medical conditions like heart, kidney, or liver disease.

Foods that can help include salty snacks (if advised by a doctor), cheese, broths, and salted nuts. Eating fresh fruits and vegetables can also support overall electrolyte balance.