Hyponatremia Center - Missoula, MTMissoula Internist Doctors for HyponatremiaType of Physician: Internist What is a Internist? A certification by the Board of Internal Medicine; practitioners provide long-term, comprehensive care in the office and the hospital, managing both common illnesses and complex problems for adolescents, adults, and the elderly. General internists are trained in primary care internal medicine, which incorporates an understanding of disease prevention, wellness, substance abuse, mental health and treatment of problems of the eyes, ears, skin, nervous system and reproductive organs. All internists are trained in the subspecialty areas of internal medicine including emergency internal medicine and critical care. Internists consult with surgeons when surgical management is indicated, and often act as consultants to other specialists. Specialty: Internal Medicine Common Name: Internist Doctors in Missoula * Western Montana Clinic  Western Montana Clinic  Western Montana Clinic  Western Montana Clinic  Cardiopulmonary Associates  Community Medical Center  Fort Missoula Medical Associates  Clancy L Clone MD  Fort Missoula Medical Associates  Cardiopulmonary Associates  Judy Schmidt MD  Fort Missoula Medical Associates  Fort Missoula Medical Associates  Stevensville Medical Clinic  Ashcraft & Morland MDs  Bitterroot Clinic Hamilton  Bitterroot Clinic Hamilton  Terry A Smith DO  Woodland Clinic  Woodland Clinic  Woodland Clinic  Family Health Care  Family Health Care  Family Health Care  Kalispell Medical Office  Family Health Care  Family Health Care  Kalispell Medical Office  Family Health Care  Kalispell Regional Medical Center Hospitalist  Kalispell Regional Medical Center Emergency Medicine  Rocky Mountain Heart & Lung  Kalispell Regional Medical Center Hospitalist  Rocky Mountain Heart & Lung  Ann M Bukacek MD  Tamarack Medical Clinic Missoula, MontanaUpcoming Local Events2012-06-16
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Hyponatremia (Low Blood Sodium)Read the Hyponatremia (Low Blood Sodium) article » What is hyponatremia (low blood sodium)?Hyponatremia refers to a lower-than-normal level of sodium in the blood. Sodium is essential for many body functions including the maintenance of fluid balance, regulation of blood pressure, and normal function of the nervous system. Hyponatremia has sometimes been referred to as "water intoxication," especially when it is due to the consumption of excess water, for example during strenuous exercise, without adequate replacement of sodium. Sodium is the major positively charged ion (cation) in the fluid outside of cells of the body. The chemical notation for sodium is Na. When combined with chloride (Cl), the resulting substance is table salt (NaCl). The normal blood sodium level is 135 - 145 milliEquivalents/liter (mEq/L), or in international units, 135 - 145 millimoles/liter (mmol/L). Results may vary slightly among different laboratories.
What causes hyponatremia (low blood sodium)?A low sodium level in the blood may result from excess water or fluid in the body, diluting the normal amount of sodium so that the concentration appears low. This type of hyponatremia can be the result of chronic conditions such as kidney failure (when excess fluid cannot be efficiently excreted) and congestive heart failure, in which excess fluid accumulates in the body. SIADH (syndrome of inappropriate anti-diuretic hormone) is a disease whereby the body produces too much anti-diuretic hormone (ADH), resulting in retention of water in the body. Consuming excess water, for example during strenuous exercise, without adequate replacement of sodium, can also result in hyponatremia. Hyponatremia can also result when sodium is lost from the body or when both sodium and fluid are lost from the body, for example, during prolonged sweating and severe vomiting or diarrhea. Medical conditions that can sometimes be associate... Recommended Reading Related to Hyponatremia (Low Blood Sodium)What is a urinalysis?A urinalysis is simply an analysis of the urine. It is a very common test that can be performed in many healthcare settings including doctors' offices, urgent care facilities, laboratories, and hospitals. It is performed by collecting a urine sample from the patient in a specimen cup. Usually only small amounts (30-60 ml's) may be required for urinalysis testing. The sample can be either analyzed in the medical clinic or sent to a laboratory to perform the tests. Urinalysis is abbreviated UA. Urine can be evaluated by its physical appearance (color, cloudiness, odor, clarity), or macroscopic analysis. It can be also analyzed based on its chemical and molecular properties or microscopic assessment. Urinalysis is ordered by doctors for a number of reasons, as follows:
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