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What Causes Severe Headaches And Stomach Cramps When Having Low Electrolyte Levels?
Posted on
Sun, 15 Feb 2015
Medically reviewed by
Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team
Sun, 15 Feb 2015
Answered on
Fri, 13 Mar 2015
Last reviewed on
Question : Hi I'm a 68 year old female and my Labs last week showed my electrolytes a mess. Although....while my sodium is always low (diagnosed as Hypotranemic) it was 123 this time...the lowest ever. My Potassium is 3.2. My Doc said by phone to stop taking the diuretic I'm on for HBP (Chlorthalidone)...eat more bananas (which I hate)...and get retested in two weeks. However although I told him I'm lately always unusually tired...I'm now experiencing severe headaches...stomach cramps with vomiting...and also cramps elsewhere. I'm just not feeling well in general and not eating well as my husband has just been admitted to Hospice. Should I wait another week for new Labs or go to Urgent Care today? Thank you.
Brief Answer:
You've got symptoms of hyponatremia
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
the symptoms you've described are compatible with your blood levels of sodium. Your potassium is not that low to cause serious trouble.
Low sodium levels may cause headaches, nausea, vomiting, inability to concentrate, fatigue, etc
Usually stopping the diuretic is enough for the sodium to return to normal values and alleviate the symptoms.
Since you're still having symptoms and your level indicated profound hyponatremia, I would suggest a new measurement as soon as possible to assess improvement. It has to be better than the previous one. If it's not then perhaps intravenous replenishment should be considered.
If you'd like me to clarify any part of my answer, please use your follow-up questions.
Kind Regards!
You've got symptoms of hyponatremia
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
the symptoms you've described are compatible with your blood levels of sodium. Your potassium is not that low to cause serious trouble.
Low sodium levels may cause headaches, nausea, vomiting, inability to concentrate, fatigue, etc
Usually stopping the diuretic is enough for the sodium to return to normal values and alleviate the symptoms.
Since you're still having symptoms and your level indicated profound hyponatremia, I would suggest a new measurement as soon as possible to assess improvement. It has to be better than the previous one. If it's not then perhaps intravenous replenishment should be considered.
If you'd like me to clarify any part of my answer, please use your follow-up questions.
Kind Regards!
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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