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What Causes A Drop In Sodium Levels In An Hernia Patient?
Posted on
Mon, 16 May 2016
Medically reviewed by
Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team
Mon, 16 May 2016
Answered on
Thu, 23 Jun 2016
Last reviewed on
Question : My Father is 79 yrs and has had Hernia and TURP surgery on Apr30th was discharged on May 2nd. May 9th he had Sodium 127 and was admitted back to hospital and was discharged after 3 days with sodium 127 again(doctors said its stable and will increase with diet at home fluid restricted to 1-1.5 lite a day). Today his sodium is 121. Why is this happening again and again? Does he need hospitalization again? He is diabetic and on Janumet , Volibo, ARIP MT 5 mg(for confusion mental state after surgery), Pan 40
Brief Answer:
Medication side effect.
Detailed Answer:
Thank you for asking
I read your question and i understand your concern. Low sodium of less than 119 is hyponatremia. This is not worrisome. After surgery its common. Just let the patient rehydrate, do as directed by doctor, diet and supplements will replenish the body sodium , just have frequent electrolytes monitoring every 48 hours. If the levels drop of less than 119 occur, then he may need infusions to correct the sodium and work up to sort out the cause of hyponatremia.
To me the use of glimepiride ( volibo) may be the cause of this hyponatremia as it is frequently reported in diabetics on glimepiride. Reduce the dose or change this sulfonylurea with another antidiabetic medication. Let yor doctor decide what is best for him.
I hope it helps. take good care of yourself and dont forget to close the discussion please.
Regards
Khan
Medication side effect.
Detailed Answer:
Thank you for asking
I read your question and i understand your concern. Low sodium of less than 119 is hyponatremia. This is not worrisome. After surgery its common. Just let the patient rehydrate, do as directed by doctor, diet and supplements will replenish the body sodium , just have frequent electrolytes monitoring every 48 hours. If the levels drop of less than 119 occur, then he may need infusions to correct the sodium and work up to sort out the cause of hyponatremia.
To me the use of glimepiride ( volibo) may be the cause of this hyponatremia as it is frequently reported in diabetics on glimepiride. Reduce the dose or change this sulfonylurea with another antidiabetic medication. Let yor doctor decide what is best for him.
I hope it helps. take good care of yourself and dont forget to close the discussion please.
Regards
Khan
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Thanks Dr for the reply. I have 2 more questions on this. 1) I missed to state 3 more medicines he is on Reclide Mr 30mg, Martifer 100 mg, augmenting 1gm if these also have an interaction and 2) On his discharge summary i see it says "salt restricted diet" why is that is he is less on sodium? should it not be other way around?
Brief Answer:
Supportive care.
Detailed Answer:
Thank you for asking
I read your question and i understand your concern, Salt restriction does not mean absolute abstinence. Up to 6 gm of salt can be consumed with no worries. Also the medication is consuming sodium and is responsible for low sodium as well. Fluid intake is not restricted, just first part of the day should be prefered for more intake to prevent nocturnal symptoms associated with prostate.
I hope it helps.
Regards
Khan
Supportive care.
Detailed Answer:
Thank you for asking
I read your question and i understand your concern, Salt restriction does not mean absolute abstinence. Up to 6 gm of salt can be consumed with no worries. Also the medication is consuming sodium and is responsible for low sodium as well. Fluid intake is not restricted, just first part of the day should be prefered for more intake to prevent nocturnal symptoms associated with prostate.
I hope it helps.
Regards
Khan
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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