Glucose
In case of intravenous administration of liquids, a sodium-free infusion solution should be chosen. For this purpose, a glucose or sugar solution is used instead of saline solution, which is normally used clinically to compensate for fluid deficits. The sodium particles in the blood combine with the sugar particles in the infusion solution and thus enable sodium to be expelled from the body. The excretion takes place via the urine.
Cerebral Edema
When treating hypernatremia with an infusion solution, it is important to slowly lower the sodium level in the blood. Due to the permanently increased sodium concentration, the cells adapt to this condition by slightly increasing their own sodium content. If the infusion is administered too quickly in the context of hypernatremia, the liquid flows into the cells due to the concentration gradient.
As a result, the cells swell and can trigger a brain swelling, a so-called brain edema. Due to the limited expansion capacity of the skull bone, the brain mass is compressed. A displacement of the brain substance towards the bony canal, above the cervical spine, can often be observed.
Many important structures, such as the spinal cord, nerves and vessels with vital tasks for the regulation of circulation and breathing, run through this opening. Symptoms such as headaches, nausea and dizziness can be the first signs of brain edema. Brain edema resulting from hypernatremia should always be treated by a doctor. Therapeutic approaches are an upper body elevation of 30 degrees, as well as a medicinal dehydrating therapy with mannitol (sugar substitute). Untreated, brain edema can lead to death.
Cardiac arrhythmias
Fluctuations in the so-called electrolyte balance can result in dangerous cardiac rhythm disturbances. This includes the hypernatremia already mentioned. The voltage across the cell membrane, the membrane potential, collapses and cell function is lost. Using the example of the heart muscle cells, life-threatening rhythm disturbances can occur, which should definitely be treated by a doctor with an appropriate electrolyte balance.
