Why does chemotherapy cause low sodium in lung cancer patients

Lung cancer is a common malignant tumor, and chemotherapy is one of the main means of treating cancer. However, some patients may experience symptoms of hyponatremia during chemotherapy.

Chemotherapy drugs inhibit cell division and growth in the body, thereby achieving the purpose of killing cancer cells. However, these drugs will also have certain effects on normal tissues, including impaired sodium ion excretion functions of the kidneys and liver. This may lead to a decrease in sodium ion concentration in the body and cause hyponatremia.

Chemotherapy drugs can also cause symptoms such as loss of appetite, nausea and vomiting, further impairing the patient's ability to take in nutrients. If the patient's diet is insufficient or poorly absorbed, hyponatremia will be further aggravated.

Chemotherapy may also cause other complications, such as bone marrow suppression, immune dysfunction, etc., which are related to the occurrence of hyponatremia.

For lung cancer patients who are undergoing chemotherapy, it is very important to monitor electrolyte levels in a timely manner. Doctors can determine the patient's sodium ion concentration through blood tests and give appropriate treatment measures according to the situation to avoid the serious consequences caused by hyponatremia.

Hyponatremia is a possible side effect of chemotherapy, mainly due to the effects of chemotherapy drugs and the patient's own factors. Early detection and appropriate intervention measures can effectively prevent and control the occurrence of hyponatremia.