The old man hiccupped continuously for 5 hours and couldn't sleep for 3 nights in a row.

Long-term use of diuretics

Mr. TVD (67 years old, in Ho Chi Minh City) was taken to the emergency room at Tam Anh General Hospital in Ho Chi Minh City with continuous hiccups, severe headache, and fatigue... The doctor examined him and discovered that he had severe hyponatremia, with a blood sodium level of 108.72 mmol/L (normal index is 136 - 145 mmol/L).

Master - Doctor Hoang Thi Hong Linh, Department of Endocrinology - Diabetes, Tam Anh General Hospital, Ho Chi Minh City, said that blood sodium falling below 120 mmol/L is considered severe hyponatremia. Mr. D. has hyponatremia due to side effects of diuretics used to treat blood pressure. Diuretics increase sodium excretion, causing hyponatremia.

Mr. D.'s severe hyponatremia also depends on other factors such as: Age, poor diet... Hyponatremia disrupts the function of the central nervous system or the vagus nerve, diaphragm causing prolonged hiccups. If not treated promptly, the patient is at risk of seizures and cerebral edema.

Mr. D. gradually recovered after being treated by a doctor.

Mr. D. was given sodium supplements and had his test results monitored daily. After 3 days of treatment, his hiccups stopped, he no longer talked delirious, he slept well and was discharged from the hospital.

Stay up 3 nights in a row

Mr. D. said that 3 days before being hospitalized, he stayed up all night, unable to sleep even though he tried to sleep, while before, he slept very easily. "I have high blood pressure, and have been treated for 8 years. A month ago, my blood pressure increased, I went to the doctor and was given new medication, a higher dose, and a bland diet. I don't understand why I couldn't sleep for 3 consecutive days," Mr. D. said.

Mr. D's daughter said that for the past 3 days, he had been hiccuping from 1am to 6am, often talking nonsense, and waving his arms and legs while his eyes were still open. He complained of severe headaches, and his family was worried that this condition could be related to a stroke, but they did not expect that he had hyponatremia.

Who is susceptible to hyponatremia?

Dr. Linh said that hyponatremia is defined as a serum sodium concentration below 135 mmol/L. Sodium concentration in the blood is very important, maintaining balance ensures the body is always healthy. If hyponatremia is not treated promptly, it can affect the state and spirit.

Anyone can get hyponatremia, but some people are at higher risk of developing hyponatremia, including: People with kidney failure, heart failure; diseases affecting the lungs, liver, brain; conditions related to the endocrine system; recent surgery; taking certain medications such as diuretics, antidepressants; vomiting, diarrhea...

According to Dr. Linh, the clinical symptoms of hyponatremia are not specific, depending on the level and speed of decrease in blood sodium concentration. Acute hyponatremia (severe decrease, formation time less than 2 days) has signs such as: loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, fatigue, headache, lethargy, confusion, delirium, impaired consciousness, coma, convulsions...

Doctor Linh recommends that some diseases can cause hyponatremia such as: kidney failure, heart failure, use of diuretics... Patients should be advised by a doctor to control the disease well without causing hyponatremia. In normal people, to prevent hyponatremia, do not drink too much alcohol leading to uncontrolled vomiting, use medication as prescribed by the doctor and return for regular check-ups to evaluate the effectiveness and side effects of the medication...

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/cu-ong-nac-cut-lien-tuc-5-tieng-mat-ngu-3-dem-lien-18524052714353518.htm