What is Hypernatremia

Hypernatremia is when the blood has too much salt (sodium) in it and not enough water. Water and salt must be balanced in the blood. This condition is serious and often an emergency.

Follow these instructions at home:

• Drink enough fluid to keep your pee (urine) clear or pale yellow.
• Take over-the-counter and prescription medicines only as told by your doctor.
• Avoid salty processed foods, including canned, jarred, frozen, or boxed foods. Some examples include pickles, frozen dinners, canned soups, potato and corn chips, and olives.
• Always drink fluids after exercise.
• Always drink fluids after throwing up (vomiting) or having watery poop (diarrhea).
• Keep all follow-up visits as told by your doctor. This is important.

Contact a doctor if:

• You have watery poop.
• You throw up.
• You have a fever or chills.
• You cannot follow advice from your doctor about drinking fluids.

Get help right away if:

• You feel light-headed or weak.
• You have a fast heartbeat.
• You get confused.
• You get restless.
• You get short-tempered.
• You have a fit of movements that you cannot control (seizure).
• You faint.
• You have signs of losing too much body fluid (dehydration), such as:
  • Dark pee, or very little or no pee.
  • Cracked lips.
  • No tears.
  • Dry mouth.
  • Sunken eyes.
  • Sleepiness.