Aging Presents a Salty Challenge
Did you know a human body weighing 110 pounds contains the equivalent of 40 teaspoons of sodium chloride, or salt? (1) Our bodies maintain a narrow window of “normal” when it comes to sodium levels. Health problems can arise when sodium levels become lower or higher than the normal range. Older adults sometimes have health conditions that can cause difficulty maintaining a normal sodium blood level.
Figure 1. Saltshaker spilling salt on a table. (1)
What Is Hyponatremia?
Healthcare providers order blood work as part of a lab test that checks sodium and other electrolyte levels in the blood. (2) Hyponatremia, or low blood sodium, is the most common type of electrolyte imbalance as people age. (3) A normal sodium level falls between a range of 135 mEq/L and 145 mEq/L. Hyponatremia occurs when the sodium level drops below 135 mEq/L.
What Can Cause Hyponatremia?
Older age, a low BMI, female gender, and the use of multiple medications increase the risk of hyponatremia. (4) The medications linked with a greater likelihood for hyponatremia are:
• Proton Pump Inhibitors used to reduce stomach acid
• Thiazide Diuretics
• ACE inhibitors commonly used for hypertension
• Angiotensin-2 antagonists (ARBs)
• Thyroid preparations
• Antiepileptics used to prevent seizures
• Some over the counter pain relievers (2)
• Antidepressants and SSRIs used for depression ((5)
The following conditions show increased susceptibility for hyponatremia (5):
• Heart, liver, and/or kidney disease
• Hypothyroidism
• Syndrome of Inappropriate Antidiuretic Hormone (SIADH)
• Cancer
• Vomiting and diarrhea (2)
• Malnutrition (2)
• Addison’s Disease (2)
• Pneumonia, urinary tract infections, or other infections causing dehydration (6)
What Are the Symptoms of Hyponatremia?
Chronic and mild hyponatremia can be difficult to diagnose because symptoms can look like normal aging or other common conditions. (4) More subtle symptoms include nausea, fatigue, weakness, gait instability, dizziness, low energy, and mild confusion or attention problems. (2,4,5,6) More serious symptoms such as falls, vomiting, muscle twitching, and more pronounced cognitive changes stand out and are more likely to be recognized as hyponatremia. (2,4,6) Hyponatremia left untreated can lead to seizures, coma, or even death. (6)
How Is Hyponatremia Treated?
Hyponatremia is best treated by a healthcare professional. Treatment typically involves changing a medication, adjusting the amount of water or fluid an individual drinks, and a modification of the amount of salt in the diet.
References
1. How much salt is in a human body? BBC Science Focus Magazine [Internet]. 2009 Jul 22 [cited 2026 Apr 21]. Available from: https://www.sciencefocus.com/the human-body/how-much-salt-is-in-a-human-body
2. MedlinePlus. Sodium blood test [Internet]. 2026 [cited 2026 Apr 21]. Available from: https://medlineplus.gov/lab-tests/sodium-blood-test/
3. Yoshimura Y. Serum sodium levels and geriatric syndromes: an overlooked association. Eur Geriatr Med. 2025;16:359-361. doi:10.1007/s41999-024-01076-w
4. van Orten-Luiten ACB, Brouwer-Brolsma EM, Janse A, Witkamp RF. A drug-based model to predict hyponatremia in outpatients of a geriatric clinic. Eur J Clin Pharmacol. 2025;81(10):1507-1515. doi:10.1007/s00228-025-03890-y
5. Fratangelo L, Nguyen S, D’Amelio P. Hyponatremia and aging-related diseases: key player or innocent bystander? A systematic review. Syst Rev. 2023;12:84. doi:10.1186/s13643-023-02246-w
6. Mayo Clinic. Low blood sodium in older adults: a concern? [Internet]. 2025 [cited 2026 Apr 21]. Available from: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases conditions/hyponatremia/expert-answers/low-blood-sodium/faq-20058465
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