Managing hyponatremia
Some individuals develop hyponatremia when on a diuretic — not because the sodium level is diluted, but because the diuretic causes the sodium to be excreted with the excess fluid. Many of these individuals would do poorly if the diuretic were decreased or stopped. To help increase sodium level without decreasing the diuretic, add four to eight ounces of tomato juice or an electrolyte supplement drink (e.g., Gatorade or Powerade) daily.—LISA BYRD, PhD, FNP-BC, Bolton, Miss. (145-12)
