Activation sites on the alpha subunit of sodium potassium ATPase have been discovered. It has also been discovered that certain antibodies that bind to the alpha subunit of sodium potassium ATPase dramatically increase enzyme activity. There has never before been a report of precise activation sites or drug interaction sites for sodium potassium ATPase. Certain methods have also been discovered for treating or preventing diseases associated with low sodium potassium ATPase activity by administering antibodies, antibody fragments and small molecules that bind to the activation sites on the alpha subunit of sodium potassium ATPase.