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What is the most common electrolyte imbalance in the elderly?

Hyponatremia, or low blood sodium, is the most common electrolyte imbalance in the elderly, with some studies finding it in as many as 24.7% of older hospitalized patients. This condition, defined as a serum sodium level below 135 mEq/L, can have significant health consequences, including increased morbidity and mortality. A wide variety of factors, from age-related physiological changes to medication use and chronic diseases, contribute to its high prevalence in this population.