What can hypernatremia lead to?

Hypernatremia refers to an elevated sodium level in the blood, which typically indicates that the body's water levels are too low compared to sodium levels. One of the physiological responses to hypernatremia is excessive thirst. The body senses the high sodium concentration and triggers mechanisms aimed at restoring balance. This includes stimulating thirst to encourage fluid intake, which helps dilute the high sodium in the blood.

When experiencing hypernatremia, increasing water consumption is critical for correcting the imbalance and avoiding potential complications. Therefore, excessive thirst reflects the body's natural response to high sodium levels, making it a significant indicator of hypernatremia and its effects.

While hypernatremia can indeed lead to dehydration and other serious conditions, the most immediate and direct response in this situation is the onset of excessive thirst.