The importance of humidification. How much do you use?

needingu · Post by **needingu** » Fri Oct 06, 2006 6:09 pm

I have been taking a fluid pill for a long time and on a low sodium diet. Well, (in my opinion and the Doctors agree with me) due to the irritation in my throat and chest from the use of the cpap, I lost my appetite but continued to drink lots of water and I developed hyponatremia (an electrolyte imbalance) . My metabolism was so out of whack I had 2 seizures and was in a coma for 3 days and confused. In and out of the hospital 4 times in July. The whole month of July was a blur to me. I had no symptoms,except a feeling of anxiety and no idea what I was in for. I told the Dr. I was having an anxiety tizzy. It was like a wet blanket came over me one day.

My throat was red, my stomach upset and one of the Dr I saw. before the episode. told me to just use O2. You should have heard my pulmonologist when I told him. He said never go from the cpap to O2 as it would not help the condition. To see a specialist in sleep disorders or a pulmonologist/

I think I have found a solution...as one of you responded to my post some time ago about the humidifer. ..I was intimidated with the machine and did not feel I should change any of the settings. But after it was brought my attention that the scratchy throat and cough could mean I needed more
moisture, I studied my booklet and found the way to increase the moisture
It had been set on 1 so I upped it to 4. That was 3 nights ago and I have had less coughing at night and my throat feels better. Maybe I could have prevented the whole episode if I had changed the humidification earlier. I have been on the cpap since Dec. 30 and battling it all the way.

I am writing this just in case some one else gets a scratchy throat, burning esophagus, and upset stomach, You might want to think on these things.

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WNJ · Post by **WNJ** » Fri Oct 06, 2006 7:31 pm

Good post, to which I would add that some folks may need to change the humidifier setting seasonally. For example, I use a higher setting in winter (heating season, dry indoor air) than in summer.

Wayne

birdshell · Post by **birdshell** » Fri Oct 06, 2006 7:51 pm

You were one sick puppy with hyponatremia!

I had this after a potentially bloody surgery. The anti-bleeding drug I took to control my bleeding disorders worked too well, and I drank too much water. There is no real treatment for hyponatremia (or at least there wasn't 10 years ago) other than to avoid drinking water and allow the kidneys to filter out the water. Then they will hopefully re-establish the sodium balance in the body at the correct levels.

It is a good thing that you have come through this. My case was much lighter. I just had an ambulance ride back to the hospital, another 3 night stay, and a last major hit to my body because this was the last of 5 surgeries that I'd had in a year. The hyponatremia was the second of the two serious, life threatening complications within 3 months.

Bless you, and may the kidneys do their job well for you! No more hyponatremia. BTW, this is the same condition some wrestlers develop when they drink gallons and gallons of water trying to make weight.

Alisha · Post by **Alisha** » Fri Oct 06, 2006 8:11 pm

Do any of you know the name and description of the specific test to diagnose hyponatremia? Thank you for any info you can give.

justsharon · Post by **justsharon** » Fri Oct 06, 2006 8:54 pm

Hyponatremia means low sodium level, can easily be detected in a blood sodium level. Hope that answers your question.

Sharon

Wulfman · Post by **Wulfman** » Fri Oct 06, 2006 8:56 pm

Alisha wrote:Do any of you know the name and description of the specific test to diagnose hyponatremia? Thank you for any info you can give.

If you do a search on the word, there's lots of links to information on the Web.

http://www.healthatoz.com/healthatoz/At ... tremia.jsp

http://www.emedicine.com/emerg/topic275.htm

Den

needingu · Post by **needingu** » Sat Oct 07, 2006 7:55 am

I have had two normal fluid tests and am feeling almost back to my usual self..I had no idea how critical I was. I was in critical intensive care. My son, daughter and husband stayed with me the whole way not expecting me to pull through. My son now calls me "My miracle mom' Many prayers went up for me for which I am grateful.. I appreciate this forum you don't know whose life you may touch.

NyNurse33 · Post by **NyNurse33** » Sat Oct 07, 2006 8:12 am

Diuretics and low Na+ diet often = trouble. Glad to hear you are doing well.

NyNurse33 · Post by **NyNurse33** » Sat Oct 07, 2006 8:14 am

BTW, a BMP (basic metabolic panel) is a blood test that can detect problems with any electrolytes.

NyNurse33 · Post by **NyNurse33** » Sat Oct 07, 2006 9:09 am

Before I get myself into trouble, let me rephrase:

Usually only mild hyponatremia occurs in patients taking diuretics, but when combined with a low sodium diet or with the excessive drinking of water, severe hyponatremia can develop.

This is something that sometimes marathon runners will experience, b/c they are sweating so much (losing sodium) and drinking lots of water. Thus, why gatorade is widely used by athletes, b/c it will replace sodium or other electrolytes lost in sweating. Same thing, if someone is having lots of diarrhea, electrolytes are lost during that as well. Obviously the very young and very old are more at risk.

I am not trying to play doctor---I have too much fun thinking for them, doing their work and making a lot less $$$

birdshell · Post by **birdshell** » Sat Oct 07, 2006 9:26 am

NyNurse33 wrote:(snip)

I am not trying to play doctor---I have too much fun thinking for them, doing their work and making a lot less $$$

If only you were REALLY kidding!! Speaking of which, how many of the docs are suffering from sleep deprivation? I have one who is a workaholic, and seemed tired when last I saw him. I am going to pull together some of the medical references for him. Maybe this will help his patients, but I have a feeling that he will keep on being sleep deprived.

needingu · Post by **needingu** » Sat Oct 07, 2006 10:50 am

NYnurse33

..I hear you...I am a retired RN..studied all about hyponatremia ,,,...never had a patient with it..I guess you would put me in the category of "older"
at 73 tho I tend to look at other people and feel I'm younger. I suppose that is what happens when you get older huh?..Enjoyed my work ..retired to go into stained glass and so I would be free to go to Fla. for the winter. Have had a delightful life, fullfilled and exciting things happening every day

Appreciate you and your profession. Keep up the good work and lots of smiles.