hyponatremia
noun
hy·po·na·tre·mia
ˌhī-pō-nā-ˈtrē-mē-ə 
variants
or chiefly British hyponatraemia
medical
: the condition of having an abnormally low level of sodium in the blood that is typically marked by nausea, vomiting, headache, confusion, fatigue, and muscle cramps and that when severe may be life-threatening if untreated
… aspirin and other pain relievers like ibuprofen … seem to increase the risk for hyponatremia.—
Harvard Health Letter
Harvard Health LetterHyponatremia, or having low sodium, can cause seizures, coma and even death if untreated.—Lisa Sanders
Lisa SandersResearch showed that hydrating too much over the long haul—during a marathon, say, or a long-distance bike ride—dilutes the blood's salt content and can lead to hyponatremia.—Jeffrey Kluger
Jeffrey Kluger
hyponatremic
adjective
or chiefly British hyponatraemic
hyponatremic encephalopathy
hyponatremic athletes
Examples of hyponatremia in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
One TikToker, Michelle Fairburn, was hospitalized in 2023 while participating in the 75 Hard challenge for a severe sodium deficiency caused by drinking too much water — also known as hyponatremia, or water toxicity.
—Lynsey Eidell, People.com, 9 July 2025
This common electrolyte deficiency (hyponatremia) can trigger the brain to produce appetite signals for salt.14 It can be triggered by a variety of causes, including diarrhea, vomiting, heart failure, taking diuretic medications, certain kidney diseases, and more.15
10.
—Cristina Mutchler, Verywell Health, 23 June 2025
This can lead to a dangerous electrolyte imbalance called hyponatremia, which causes cells to swell.
—Jake Parks, Discover Magazine, 5 Apr. 2025
In extreme cases, consuming a large volume of water without sufficient electrolytes can lead to dangerously low levels of sodium in the blood, a potentially life-threatening condition known as hyponatremia.
—Outside Online, 23 Mar. 2025
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Lynsey Eidell, People.com, 9 July 2025
This common electrolyte deficiency (hyponatremia) can trigger the brain to produce appetite signals for salt.14 It can be triggered by a variety of causes, including diarrhea, vomiting, heart failure, taking diuretic medications, certain kidney diseases, and more.15
10.
—Cristina Mutchler, Verywell Health, 23 June 2025
This can lead to a dangerous electrolyte imbalance called hyponatremia, which causes cells to swell.
—Jake Parks, Discover Magazine, 5 Apr. 2025
In extreme cases, consuming a large volume of water without sufficient electrolytes can lead to dangerously low levels of sodium in the blood, a potentially life-threatening condition known as hyponatremia.
—Outside Online, 23 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for hyponatremia
Cite this Entry
“Hyponatremia.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hyponatremia. Accessed 31 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
hyponatremia
noun
hy·po·na·tre·mia
variants
or chiefly British hyponatraemia
: the condition of having an abnormally low level of sodium in the blood that is typically marked by nausea, vomiting, headache, confusion, fatigue, and muscle cramps and that when severe may be life-threatening if untreated
… aspirin and other pain relievers like ibuprofen … seem to increase the risk for hyponatremia.—Harvard Health Letter
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