Cause 4. Liver Cirrhosis: The Hepatic Pathway to Hyponatremia
Liver cirrhosis, a disease characterized by the replacement of healthy liver tissue with scar tissue, can profoundly impact the body’s sodium regulation. When the liver is damaged, its ability to filter toxins from the blood is compromised, and this can cause a chain reaction of health issues, including hyponatremia.
The reason lies in the connection between the liver and the kidneys. The liver produces a protein called albumin, which helps keep fluid in the bloodstream. When cirrhosis impairs the liver’s ability to produce albumin, fluid can leak out of the blood vessels and accumulate in the abdominal cavity, a condition known as ascites.
This fluid buildup can trigger a response from the body to conserve water, resulting in an increased production of antidiuretic hormone (ADH). ADH prompts the kidneys to retain water, leading to dilution of sodium in the blood and consequently hyponatremia.
Another mechanism by which cirrhosis can lead to hyponatremia is through the development of portal hypertension. This condition, a common complication of cirrhosis, can cause the spleen to retain more platelets, reducing the number of platelets in the bloodstream. Platelets are a vital component of the blood clotting process, and a reduction in their number can lead to bleeding. This, in turn, may lead to a reduction in blood volume and a decrease in blood sodium levels.(4)
