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Update: Exertional Hyponatremia Among Active Component Members of the U.S. Armed Forces, 2009–2024

Image of 38906432. Exertional hyponatremia is caused by increased intake of fluids such as water or sports drinks, before or during strenuous physical activity, and can be fatal if not detected early and managed properly.

6/1/2025

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Abstract

Exertional hyponatremia, or hyponatremia associated with exercise, occurs within 24 hours after physical activity due to a serum, plasma, or blood sodium concentration ([Na+]) below the normal reference range of 135 mEq/L. Hyponatremia can be fatal if not detected early and managed properly. From 2009 to 2024, 1,829 cases of exertional hyponatremia were diagnosed among U.S. active component service members, with an overall incidence rate of 8.4 cases per 100,000 person-years. In 2024, 134 cases of exertional hyponatremia were diagnosed among ACSMs, resulting in a crude incidence rate of 10.4 per 100,000 p-yrs. Female service members, those older than 40 years, non-Hispanic White service members, Marine Corps members, recruits, those in health care occupations, and ACSMs stationed in the Midwest U.S. had higher incidence rates of diagnosis for exertional hyponatremia than their respective counterparts. From 2009 to 2024, annual rates of incident exertional hyponatremia diagnoses peaked in 2010 (12.8 per 100,000 p-yrs) and then decreased to a low of 5.3 cases per 100,000 p-yrs in 2013. The incidence rate has fluctuated since then, rising from 6.1 per 100,000 p-yrs in 2017 to the second-highest level (11.2 per 100,000 p-yrs) in 2023 before decreasing to 10.4 per 100,000 p-yrs in 2024. Service members and their supervisors must be aware of the dangers of excessive consumption of water and the prescribed limits of water intake during prolonged physical activity, including field training exercises, personal fitness training, as well as recreational activities, particularly in hot, humid weather.

What are the new findings?

Incidence rates of exertional hyponatremia changed from 2023 to 2024, with the overall incidence rate decreasing from 11.2 to 10.4 per 100,000 p-yrs. Rates increased, however, in the 25-29 years age group and in the Coast Guard, while decreasing sharply among non-Hispanic Black individuals and recruits. The highest incidence rates were observed in non-Hispanic White individuals and health care personnel.

What is the impact on readiness and force health protection?

Incidence rates of exertional hyponatremia among U.S. military members have fluctuated but, in general, increased in the past decade, posing a substantial health risk to U.S. military members. Exertional hyponatremia can be fatal if not recognized promptly and treated appropriately. Military members, leaders, and trainers must be vigilant for early signs of hyponatremia and intervene immediately and appropriately, while adhering to guidelines for proper hydration during physical exertion, especially during warm weather.

Background

Exertional hyponatremia is a relatively rare condition, but it can be fatal if not detected early and managed properly. Exertional hyponatremia is caused by increased intake of hypotonic fluids, such as water or sports drinks, before or during strenuous physical activity, including prolonged military field training and combat operations. Exertional hyponatremia can also be caused by inappropriate secretion of a non-osmotic antidiuretic hormone due to physical exertion, resulting in increased total body and free water retention.1

Exercising in hot weather continues to cause preventable injuries and deaths in young, healthy people.2 Hyponatremia is particularly problematic in the military, where it can be mistaken for heat exhaustion or heat stroke. Active component military personnel are particularly susceptible to fluid and electrolyte imbalances due to intense physical exertion and demanding activities, often in hot, remote, or austere environments.2,3

Normal plasma sodium (Na+) concentration falls between 135 and 145 milliequivalents per liter, which is closely regulated, along with osmolarity, to maintain proper cell size and function.4 Excessive intake of sodium stimulates thirst to increase body water to maintain serum [Na+].5,6 When a serum or plasma sodium concentration is less than 135 mEq/L within 24 hours after prolonged physical activity, hyponatremia or exercise-related hyponatremia occur.7 There is growing evidence that hyponatremia is associated with increased morbidity, mortality, and health costs in various clinical settings and diseases.8,9

The incidence of hyponatremia due to a variety of activities, including endurance competitions, hiking, police training, American football, fraternity hazing, and military exercises, varies widely depending on activity duration, heat or cold stress, water availability, and consumption, and other individual risk factors.10 Other important risk factors besides excessive fluid intake include exercise duration of greater than four hours, inadequate training for an exertional event, and high or low body mass index.10 Symptoms depend on the extent and rate of decrease in serum sodium compared to baseline levels.

The fundamental characteristics of military operations, such as long-term military training and combat operations in extreme environmental conditions, mean that exertional hyponatremia continues to pose a health risk to U.S. military personnel, with the potential for significantly reducing performance and combat effectiveness. This report summarizes the frequency, rates, trends, demographic, geographic location, and military characteristics of exertional hyponatremia cases among active component service members from 2009 to 2024.

Methods

The surveillance population for this report consisted of all ACSMs of the U.S. Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Space Force, and Coast Guard who served at any time during the surveillance period, from January 1, 2009 to December 31, 2024. All data used to determine incident exertional hyponatremia diagnoses were derived from records routinely collected and maintained in the Defense Medical Surveillance System. Those records document both ambulatory encounters and hospitalizations of ACSMs of the U.S. Armed Forces in fixed military and civilian (if reimbursed through the Military Health System) hospitals and clinics worldwide.

A case of exertional hyponatremia was defined as 1) a hospitalization or ambulatory visit with a primary (first-listed) diagnosis of “hypo-osmolality and/or hyponatremia” (International Classification of Diseases, 9th and 10th Revisions, ICD-9: 276.1, ICD-10: E87.1) and no other illness or injury-specific diagnoses (ICD-9: 001–999, ICD-10: ‘A’–‘U’) in any diagnostic position or 2) both a diagnosis of “hypo-osmolality and/or hyponatremia” (ICD-9: 276.1, ICD-10: E87.1) and at least one of the following within the first three diagnostic positions (dx1–dx3): “fluid overload” (ICD-9: 276.9; ICD-10: E87.70, E87.79), “alteration of consciousness” (ICD-9: 780.0*, ICD-10: R40.*), “convulsions” (ICD-9: 780.39, ICD-10: R56.9), “altered mental status” (ICD-9: 780.97, ICD-10: R41.82), “effects of heat/light” (ICD-9: 992.0–992.9, ICD-10: T67.0*–T67.9*), or “rhabdomyolysis” (ICD-9: 728.88, ICD-10: M62.82).11

Medical encounters were excluded from case-defining events if the associated records listed diagnoses in any diagnostic position that included alcohol or illicit drug abuse; psychosis, depression, or other major mental disorders; endocrine disorders; kidney diseases; intestinal infectious diseases; cancers; major traumatic injuries; or complications of medical care. An individual could be considered a case of exertional hyponatremia only once per calendar year. Incidence rates were calculated as cases of hyponatremia per 100,000 person-years of active component service.

For health surveillance purposes, recruits were identified as active component members assigned to service-specific training locations during coincident service-specific basic training periods. Recruits were considered as a separate category of enlisted service members in summaries of exertional hyponatremia by military grade overall.

Results

In 2024, 134 cases of exertional hyponatremia were diagnosed among ACSMs, resulting in a crude incidence rate of 10.4 per 100,000 p-yrs, a decrease from 11.2 per 100,000 p-yrs in 2023. From 2009 to 2024, there were 1,829 incident diagnoses of exertional hyponatremia among ACSMs resulting in a crude overall incidence rate of 8.4 cases per 100,000 p-yrs. Table 1 presents the incident cases and rates of exertional hyponatremia according to demographic characteristics.

In 2024, female ACSMs had a higher annual incidence rate (11.7 per 100,000 p-yrs) than males (10.1 per 100,000 p-yrs), although both sexes showed a decrease. Service members aged 40 years and older showed the highest incidence rate, followed by those younger than 20 years (22.0 and 14.6 per 100,000 p-yrs, respectively). It is notable that the incidence of those aged 25-29 years increased noticeably in 2024 compared to 2023 (11.8 and 7.8 per 100,000 p-yrs, respectively). Another remarkable change was in relation to racial and ethnic groups: non-Hispanic White service members had the highest incidence rate (11.7 per 100,000 p-yrs) compared to other racial and ethnic groups, especially non-Hispanic Black service members, who previously demonstrated the highest incidence rate. As with overall 2009-2024 rates, Marine Corps members had the highest incidence rate in 2024 (14.2 per 100,000 p-yrs) compared to other services. Meanwhile, the incidence rate in the Coast Guard increased greatly, from 2.6 per 100,000 p-yrs in 2023 to 12.6 per 100,000 p-yrs in 2024.

There were 11 cases of exertional hyponatremia among recruits in 2024, an approximately 50% decrease from 2023 (47.3 to 90.2 per 100,000 p-yrs). Service members in health care occupations had the highest incidence rate in 2024, an approximately 18% increase from 2023 (12.3 to 10.4 per 100,000 p-yrs), excluding the ‘other’ or unknown occupation group.

FIGURE 1. Annual Incident Cases and Rates of Exertional Hyponatremia, Active Component, U.S. Armed Forces, 2009–2024. This graph presents 16 stacked vertical columns, each comprised of two segments, that depict the numbers of cases of exertional hyponatremia diagnosed each year from 2009 through 2024 among active component service members of the U.S. Armed Forces. For each year, the height of the lower segment of the column corresponds to the number of cases detected from records of ambulatory health care visits, and the upper segment represents the number of cases identified through hospitalization records. The left vertical, or y-, axis measures the numbers of encounters, in units of 10, from 0 to 200. The right vertical, or y-, axis measures the incidence rate per 100,000 person-years, in units of 1.0, from 0.0 to 13.0. A line along the horizontal, or x-axis, connects points that represent the crude annual incidence rates of exertional rhabdomyolysis cases per 100,000 person-years. The incident rate declined in 2024, to 10.4 per 100,000 person-years, from the second highest rate of the surveillance period. Between 2009 and 2024, crude annual rates of incident exertional hyponatremia diagnoses peaked in 2010 (at 12.8 per 100,000 person-years) and then decreased to a low of 5.3 cases per 100,000 person-years in 2013, thereafter fluctuating between 6.1 and 8.5 through 2022. The rate then increased markedly in 2023, to 11.2 cases per 100,000 person-years. Case numbers followed the same pattern as incidence rates, with the highest numbers of cases, 186 and 146, in 2010 and 2023, respectively, and declining to 134 cases in 2024. Hospitalization rates for exertional hyponatremia were generally around 10 percent for most of the surveillance period but reduced to around five percent in 2023 and 2024.Figure 1 presents annual incident cases and rates of exertional hyponatremia among ACSMs. Between 2009 and 2024, the crude annual rates of incident exertional hyponatremia diagnoses peaked in 2010 (12.8 per 100,000 p-yrs) and then decreased to the lowest level, 5.3 cases per 100,000 p-yrs, in 2013. During the ensuring decade, rates fluctuated but generally trended upward, rising from a low of 6.1 cases per 100,000 p-yrs in 2017 to a peak of 11.2 cases per 100,000 p-yrs in 2023, before decreasing to 10.4 per 100,000 p-yrs in 2024. The annual incidence of exertional hyponatremia diagnosis was significantly higher in the Marine Corps than in any other service branch (Figure 2). The incidence of exertional hyponatremia fluctuated more among women than men (Figure 3). During the 16-year surveillance period, 87.7% (n=1,604) of all cases were diagnosed and treated without hospitalization (data not shown).

FIGURE 2. Annual Incidence Rates of Exertional Hyponatremia by Service, Active Component, U.S. Armed Forces, 2009–2024. This graph presents four lines along the horizontal, or x-, axis that represent four U.S. Armed Forces service branches, namely the Army, Navy, Air Force and Marine Corps, in addition to a fifth line that represents an average of all four branches. Each line connects points representing the annual incidence rates of exertional hyponatremia during each calendar year from 2009 through 2024. The vertical, or y-, axis measures the incidence rate per 100,000 person-years, in units of 5.0, from 0.0 to 30.0. Annual incidence rates of exertional hyponatremia diagnoses are consistently highest in the Marine Corps, with the overall trend in rates primarily influenced by the trend among Marine Corps members. The average rate of the four branches generally corresponds to Army rates. Incidence rates among Marine Corps members fell to their lowest rates in 2012, 2013, 2016, 2018 and 2021, when the gap between the services closed considerably. Marine Corps rates peaked in 2010, at just below 30.0 cases per 100,000 person-years, but since 2012 spiked to a maximum of around 17.5 per 100,000 person years, in 2015, 2020 and 2023. Although the Army generally has the next highest rates, and the Navy the lowest, until 2022 they ranged between 5.0 and 10.0 per 100,000 person-years. The rates for all four service branches noticeably increased in 2023, with the Air Force recording its highest rate, just below 12.0 per 100,000 person-years, and the Army recording a similar rate, its second highest during the surveillance period. The Army achieved its highest rate, at just under 12.5 per 100,000 person-years, in 2024. The Army was the only service branch for which incidence rates did not decline in 2024.FIGURE 3. Annual Incident Rates of Exertional Hyponatremia by Sex, Active Component, U.S. Armed Forces, 2009–2024. This graph presents a 16 pairs of vertical bars, with one bar in each pair representing male active component service member and the other bar in the pair representing female active component service members. Each pair of bars represents the incident rates for exertional hyponatremia that year. A line along the horizontal, or x-axis, connects data points that represent the total incidence rate for each year per 100,000 person-years. The vertical, or y-, axis measures the incidence rate per 100,000 person-years, in units of 1.0, from 0.0 to 14.0. Male rates initially exceeded female rates, but after a noteworthy decline in all rates in 2012, to just under 4.0 per 100,000 person-years for females and just under 6.5 for males, female rates exceeded male rates as overall rates began to rise again in 2013, through 2015, when female rates were just under 11.5 per 100,000 person-years and male rates were at just under 8.0. Male rates exceeded female rates from 2017 through 2022, but by approximately 1.0 per 100,000; female rates only slightly exceeded male rates in 2020 and then fell dramatically in 2021, to around 4.5 per 100,000 person-years. After several years of relatively stable rates, with modest increases, rates increased for both sexes in 2023 to record levels, with female rates at just over 13,0 per 100,000 person-years, once again exceeding male rates, at around 10.5. Although rates declined somewhat in 2024, they remained among the highest recorded during the surveillance period, with female rates still exceeding male rates, just over 11.5 and around 10.0 per 100,000 person-years, respectively.

During the surveillance period, exertional hyponatremia cases were diagnosed at more than 150 U.S. military installations and geographic locations worldwide, but 17 U.S. installations contributed 20 or more cases each and accounted for 49.9% of the total cases (Table 2). Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island, SC, reported 195 cases of exertional hyponatremia, the highest in the DOD.

 

 

 

Discussion

Incidence rates of exertional hyponatremia fluctuated over the past decade, increasing from 6.1 per 100,000 p-yrs in 2017 to 11.2 per 100,000 p-yrs in 2023, before decreasing slightly to 10.4 per 100,000 p-yrs in 2024. Notable changes in incidence rates of exertional hyponatremia were observed among several demographic groups in 2024 compared to 2023. Although reports on the association between sex and hyponatremia present conflicting results,12,13 many studies report that sex is not a significant risk factor for hyponatremia.16,17 Further investigation and ongoing monitoring may be warranted, however, to effectively prevent exertional hyponatremia, especially in women, given the greater variability in incidence in women than in men.

The age group with the highest incidence rate in 2024 was the 40 years and older age group, which had decreased considerably from 2023. According to the literature, increasing age is a strong independent risk factor for both hyponatremia and hypernatremia.14 Unlike other age groups that showed declines compared to 2023, the incidence rate in 2024 increased remarkably in the 25-29-year age group. Investigation of the reasons for this change, to identify modifiable risk factors that can be targeted in prevention programs, is warranted.

Since 1999, differences in incidence rates between non-Hispanic White and non-Hispanic Black service members have ranged from large to small or insignificant differences.10,18 During the 16-year surveillance period, incidence rates among non-Hispanic White service members were higher than those among non-Hispanic Black service members, in all but 6 years: 2005, 2016, 2018, 2019, 2022, 2023. Several studies have reported conflicting results about the potential association between hyponatremia and race or ethnicity. Some studies have reported a higher prevalence in African Americans and non-Hispanic Black individuals,19 whereas others have reported a trend of lower proportions of African American hospital admissions with hyponatremia.15

Unlike other service branches, 3 of which showed a decline compared to 2023, the Coast Guard showed a noticeable increase in the incidence rate of its members in 2024. There was also significant variation in incidence rates across military grade (i.e., rank), with recruits consistently having the highest incidence rates.

Several important limitations should be considered when interpreting the results of this analysis. First, there is no diagnostic code specific for exertional hyponatremia. This lack of specificity may result in inclusion of some non-exertional cases of hyponatremia, thus overestimating the true rate. Consequently, the results of this analysis should be considered estimates of the actual incidence of symptomatic exertional hyponatremia from excessive water consumption among U.S. military members.

In addition, the accuracy of estimated numbers, rates, trends, and correlates of risk depends on the completeness and accuracy of diagnoses that are documented in standardized records of relevant medical encounters. Nonetheless, the decline in the number of diagnoses presenting with exertional hyponatremia may reflect increased awareness, concern, and aggressive management of early cases by military supervisors and primary health care providers.

Finally, recruits were identified using an algorithm based on age, rank, location, and time in service, which was only an approximation and likely resulted in some misclassification of recruit training status.

Given the remarkable changes from 2023 to 2024 in the incidence rate of exertional hyponatremia for numerous demographic characteristics analyzed, continued emphasis should be placed on how to effectively manage the condition, including prevention, identification, and treatment methods through close monitoring. Hyponatremia is treated primarily by managing the underlying cause (i.e., heart failure) and free water restriction,20 focusing on pre-hospital care through rapid on-site emergency medical service assessment and hospital management in emergency and inpatient settings.21 Depending on the physical demands of military operations and prevailing environmental conditions, replacement fluid composition may vary.22

Exertional hyponatremia must be differentiated from heat illness to avoid inappropriate treatment and adverse outcomes and, instead, accurately diagnose and appropriately treat the condition based on observed signs and symptoms. Appropriately trained personnel should be able to recognize the signs of possible hyponatremia, such as excessive fluid intake, changes in mental status, vomiting, poor eating habits, abdominal bloating, and large amounts of clear urine.2,23,24

Due to the variety of underlying causes, individualized management based on each service member’s overall health may be the best approach to prevent exertional hyponatremia. Effective and collaborative management consistent with current policy and guidance for commanders is crucial for prevention of exertional hyponatremia (Table 3).23 To reduce risk of exertional hyponatremia, service members of all ranks should be cognizant of mitigation measures such as fluid and electrolyte replacement guidelines, identification of high-risk individuals, and the importance vigilance during associated activities.23

References

  1. Buck E, McAllister R, Schroeder JD. Exercise-associated hyponatremia. In: StatPearls [internet]. StatPearls Publishing;2023.  
  2. Carter R. Exertional heat illness and hyponatremia: an epidemiological prospective. Curr Sports Med Rep. 2008;7(4):S20-S27. doi:10.1249/jsr.0b013e31817f38ff  
  3. Sullivan-Kwantes W, Cramer M, Bouak F, Goodman L. Environmental stress in military settings. In: Sookermany AM, ed. Handbook of Military Sciences. Springer International Publishing;2020:1-27.  
  4. Armstrong LE, Casa DJ, Watson G. Exertional hyponatremia. Curr Sports Med Rep. 2006;5(5):221-222. doi:10.1097/01.csmr.0000306418.01167.46  
  5. Lebus DK, Casazza GA, Hoffman MD, Van Loan MD. Can changes in body mass and total body water accurately predict hyponatremia after a 161-km running race? Clin J Sport Med. 2010;20(3):193-199. doi:10.1097/jsm.0b013e3181da53ea  
  6. Rondon H, Badireddy M. Hyponatremia. In: StatPearls [internet]. StatPearls Publishing;2025.  
  7. Rosner MH. Exercise-associated hyponatremia. Trans Am Clin Climatol Assoc. 2019;130:76-87. 
  8. Chalela R, González-García JG, Chillarón JJ, et al. Impact of hyponatremia on mortality and morbidity in patients with COPD exacerbations. Respir Med. 2016;117:237-242. doi:10.1016/j.rmed.2016.05.003  
  9. Decaux G. Morbidity associated with chronic hyponatremia. J Clin Med. 2023;12(3). doi:10.3390/jcm12030978  
  10. Armed Forces Health Surveillance Branch. Exertional hyponatremia among active component members of the U.S. Armed Forces, 2008-2023. MSMR. 2024;31(4):15-19. Accessed Jun. 16, 2025. https://www.health.mil/news/articles/2024/04/01/msmr-hyponatremia-2024  
  11. Armed Forces Health Surveillance Branch. Surveillance Case Definition: Hyponatremia; Exertional. Defense Health Agency, U.S. Department of Defense. 2017. Accessed Apr. 10, 2025. https://health.mil/reference-center/publications/2017/03/01/hyponatremia-exertional  
  12. Grikiniene J, Volbekas V, Stakisaitis D. Gender differences of sodium metabolism and hyponatremia as an adverse drug effect. Medicina (Kaunas). 2004;40(10):935-942.  
  13. Otterness K, Singer AJ, Thode HCJ, Peacock WF. Hyponatremia and hypernatremia in the emergency department: severity and outcomes. Clin Exp Emerg Med. 2023;10(2):172-180. doi:10.15441/ceem.22.380  
  14. Hawkins RC. Age and gender as risk factors for hyponatremia and hypernatremia. Clin Chim Acta. 2003;337(1-2):169-172. doi:10.1016/j.cccn.2003.08.001  
  15. Sunder V, Alvarez R, Carabelli E. The association of hyponatremia with race, ethnicity, and gender in patients admitted for acute decompensated heart failure diagnoses. Paper 33. Division of Internal Medicine Faculty Papers & Presentations. Thomas Jefferson Univ. 2018. Accessed Apr. 10, 2025. https://jdc.jefferson.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1033&context=internalfp  
  16. Almond CS, Shin AY, Fortescue EB, et al. Hyponatremia among runners in the Boston marathon. NEJM. 2005;352(15):1550-1556. doi:10.1056/nejmoa043901   
  17. Mannheimer B, Skov J, Falhammar H, et al. Sex-specific risks of death in patients hospitalized for hyponatremia: a population-based study. Endocrine. 2019;66(3):660-665. doi:10.1007/s12020-019-02073-x  
  18. Armed Forces Health Surveillance Branch. Update: exertional hyponatremia, active component, U.S. Armed Forces, 1999-2009. MSMR. 2010;17(3):12-16. Accessed Jun. 16, 2025. https://www.health.mil/reference-center/reports/2010/01/01/medical-surveillance-monthly-report-volume-17-number-3  
  19. Gankam-Kengne F, Ayers C, Khera A, de Lemos J, Maalouf NM. Mild hyponatremia is associated with an increased risk of death in an ambulatory setting. Kidney Int. 2013;83(4):700-706. doi:10.1038/ki.2012.459  
  20. Miller NE, Rushlow D, Stacey SK. Diagnosis and management of sodium disorders: hyponatremia and hypernatremia. Am Fam Physician. 2023;108(5):476-486. Accessed Apr. 10, 2025. https://www.aafp.org/pubs/afp/issues/2023/1100/sodium-disorders-hyponatremia-hypernatremia.html  
  21. Oh RC, Malave B, Chaltry JD. Collapse in the heat--from overhydration to the emergency room--three cases of exercise-associated hyponatremia associated with exertional heat illness. Mil Med. 2018;183(3-4):e225-e228. doi:10.1093/milmed/usx105  
  22. Jonas CE. Exercise-associated hyponatremia: updated guidelines from the Wilderness Medical Society. Am Fam Physician. 2021;103(4):252-253. Accessed Apr. 10, 2025. https://www.aafp.org/pubs/afp/issues/2021/0215/p252.html  
  23. Training and Doctrine Command, Department of the Army. Training: Prevention of Heat and Cold Casualties. TRADOC Regulation 350-29. U.S. Dept. of Defense;2023. Accessed Apr. 10, 2025. https://adminpubs.tradoc.army.mil/regulations/tr350-29.pdf  
  24. Institute of Medicine (US) Food and Nutrition Board. Committee on Military Nutrition Research: Activity Report. National Academies Press;1994. doi:10.17226/9169

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