What is the typical cause of hyponatremia?

Hyponatremia refers to a condition characterized by low sodium levels in the blood. The typical cause of this condition involves excessive fluid retention or a loss of sodium, which can dilute sodium levels in the body. When there is an imbalance between water and sodium, either through retention of fluid or through pathways that promote sodium loss, sodium concentration in the bloodstream decreases.

Fluid retention can occur in several scenarios, such as heart failure, kidney disease, or liver dysfunction, where the body holds onto water excessively. On the other hand, loss of sodium can result from situations like adrenal insufficiency, where the body does not produce enough of the hormone aldosterone to retain sodium, or gastrointestinal losses through vomiting or diarrhea.

While excessive sodium intake might initially seem like a potential cause, it usually does not lead to hyponatremia as the body's regulatory mechanisms (like renal excretion of excess sodium) typically compensate. The use of diuretics can contribute to hyponatremia, but this answer generally focuses on the broader and more common mechanisms behind the condition. Inadequate dietary sodium, while it may contribute to some sodium deficiency, is less common as a standalone cause for clinically significant hyponatremia.