Hyponatremia (Low Blood Sodium): Symptoms, Causes, Treatment

Hyponatremia is diagnosed when there is too little sodium in your blood. It can be caused by a variety of factors.

Sodium is an essential electrolyte that helps maintain the balance of water in and around your cells. It’s important for proper muscle and nerve function. It also helps maintain stable blood pressure levels.

Insufficient sodium in your blood is known as hyponatremia. It occurs when water and sodium are out of balance. In other words, there’s either too much water or not enough sodium in your blood.

Normally, your sodium level should be between 135 and 145 milliequivalents per liter. Hyponatremia occurs when your sodium level goes below 135 mEq/L.

Symptoms of low blood sodium can vary from person to person. If your sodium levels fall gradually, you may not experience any symptoms at first, but they will eventually manifest. If they drop very quickly, your symptoms may be more obvious and severe.

Common symptoms of hyponatremia include:

• weakness
• fatigue or low energy
• headache
• nausea
• vomiting
• muscle cramps or spasms
• confusion
• irritability

Severe symptoms of hyponatremia

Losing sodium quickly is a medical emergency. It can cause:

• overactive reflexes
• loss of consciousness
• seizures
• coma
• and in the most severe cases, death

If you or someone you know seems to be losing consciousness or is having a seizure, call 911 immediately.

Many factors can cause hyponatremia. Your sodium levels may get too low if your body loses too much water and electrolytes. Hyponatremia may also be a symptom of certain medical conditions.

Causes of hyponatremia include:

• severe vomiting or diarrhea
• taking certain medications, including antidepressants and pain medications
• taking diuretics (water pills)
• drinking too much water during exercise (this is very rare)
• dehydration
• kidney disease or kidney failure
• liver disease
• heart problems, including congestive heart failure
• adrenal gland disorders, such as Addison’s disease, which affects your adrenal gland’s ability to regulate the balance of sodium, potassium, and water in your body
• hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid)
• syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone (SIADH), which makes your body retain water
• diabetes insipidus, a rare condition in which the body doesn’t make antidiuretic hormone
• Cushing’s syndrome, which causes high cortisol levels (this is rare)

Certain factors increase your risk of hyponatremia, including:

• older age
• diuretic use
• antidepressant use
• being a high-performance athlete (i. e., a marathon runner)
• living in a warmer climate
• eating a low-sodium diet
• having heart failure, kidney disease, syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone (SIADH), or other conditions

If you’re at risk for low sodium, you may need to be more careful about your intake of electrolytes and water. Make sure to talk to your doctor about your risk factors and if there are any steps you can take to lessen your risk.

If hyponatremia is not treated, it can lead to serious complications, including:

• osteoporosis
• brain swelling
• brain injury
• seizures
• death
• osteoporosis and bone fractures

If you are at a higher risk for hyponatremia due to preexisting conditions, it’s important to take any new symptom seriously and talk to a doctor as quickly as possible.

A blood test can help your doctor check for low sodium levels. Even if you don’t have symptoms of low blood sodium, your doctor may order a basic metabolic panel. This tests the amounts of electrolytes and minerals in your blood.

A basic metabolic panel is often part of a routine physical. It may identify low blood sodium in someone without any symptoms.

If your levels are abnormal, your doctor will order a urine test to check the amount of sodium in your urine. The results of this test will help your doctor determine the cause of your low blood sodium:

• If your blood sodium levels are low but your urine sodium levels are high, your body is losing too much sodium.
• Low sodium levels in both your blood and your urine mean your body isn’t taking in enough sodium. There may also be too much water in your body.

If your doctor is still unsure of a diagnosis, they may order a few other tests to check for hyponatremia, including:

• liver function tests
• a chest X-ray or computed tomography (CT) scan of your chest
• CT scan of your head

Treatment for low blood sodium varies depending on the cause, how severe the symptoms are, and how low your blood sodium levels are. It may include:

• cutting back on fluid intake
• adjusting the dosage of diuretics
• taking medications for symptoms such as headaches, nausea, and seizures
• treating underlying conditions
• stopping or changing a medication for a chronic condition that may be negatively affecting blood sodium
• an intravenous (IV) sodium solution

Keeping your water and electrolyte levels as balanced as possible can help prevent low blood sodium.

If you’re an athlete, it’s important to drink the right amount of water during exercise.

You may also want to consider drinking rehydration beverages. These drinks contain electrolytes, and help replenish sodium lost through sweating. These drinks are also helpful if you lose a lot of fluids through vomiting or diarrhea.

Staying hydrated throughout the day can help manage any wild swings in blood sodium. When you’re adequately hydrated, your urine will be pale yellow or clear, and you won’t feel thirsty.

It’s important to increase your fluid intake if:

• the weather is warm
• you’re at a high altitude
• you’re pregnant or breastfeeding
• you’re vomiting
• you have diarrhea
• you have a fever

Don’t forget that it’s possible to drink too much water too quickly. This is another reason to maintain good hydration throughout the day.

Hypernatremia is a condition that is closely related to hyponatremia.

What is hypernatremia?

While hyponatremia involves low levels of sodium in the blood, hypernatremia occurs when there is too much sodium.

When a person doesn’t get enough water, either because of limited access to water or an impaired thirst mechanism, they can develop hypernatremia. It’s caused less commonly by diabetes insipidus.

Hypernatremia occurs when your serum sodium level exceeds 145 milliequivalents per liter (Eq/L).

Hypernatremia can cause:

• confusion
• neuromuscular excitability
• hyperreflexia
• seizures
• coma

Hyponatremia is diagnosed when there is too little sodium in your blood. It can be caused by a variety of factors, from conditions like Addison’s disease or Cushing’s syndrome, to excessive vomiting or diarrhea.

Hyponatremia can be mild, and cause no symptoms, or it can be very severe and life threatening.

Typically, if hyponatremia is caught in the mild stage and treated, or treated swiftly in the severe stage, it can be reversed.

Salt, not high blood pressure, may be to blame for that headache

‘Tis the season to be, well, gluttonous. But with increasing intakes of fat and sugar also comes increased salt consumption. Now, a new study published in the journal BMJ Open suggests diets high in salt are implicated in pesky headaches, and this link may be independent of the “well-established link” between salt intake and high blood pressure, which is a common cause of headaches.

Share on PinterestThe new study suggests a salty diet may be the main culprit when it comes to that pesky holiday headache.

The study authors – led by Dr. Lawrence Appel, director of the Welch Center for Prevention, Epidemiology and Clinical Research at Johns Hopkins Medicine in Baltimore, MD – note that headache is a common medical problem around the world and is one of the most frequently reported nervous system disorders.

Worldwide, they note that 46% of adults have a reported active headache disorder, causing many to have a poor quality of life and higher number of days absent from work.

Dr. Appel and his colleagues say that current data support a link between blood pressure and headache; however, evidence on the link between headaches and sodium intake or other dietary factors is sparse, with most research focusing on the role of monosodium glutamate (MSG) consumption.

According to the American Heart Association (AHA), most people in the US consume about 3,400 mg of sodium a day, which is more than twice the 1,500 mg suggested by the organization.

In order to further investigate the effects of diet on headache occurrence, the researchers randomized 390 study participants to either the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) diet – which is rich in fruits, vegetables and low-fat dairy products with reduced saturated and total fat – or to a control diet that was a typical Western diet.

During the study, which consisted of three 30-day periods, each participant ate food with high sodium during one period, intermediate sodium during another and low sodium during another period. Then, at the end of each feeding period, the participants completed questionnaires on occurrence and severity of headache.

Results showed that people who ate foods high in sodium – around 8 g per day – had one third more headaches than those who ate foods low in sodium – around 4 g per day. Additionally, the researchers observed that this difference remained whether the volunteers ate the standard Western diet or the DASH diet.

The researchers say their results depart from the popular belief that a diet rich in fruits, vegetables and potassium and low in saturated fat can ease or prevent headaches.

They add:

“It is noteworthy that there was no significant relationship between diet pattern and headache. This suggests that a process that is independent of blood pressure may mediate the relationship between sodium and headaches. ”

What is more, the team says adults in the US are already consuming sodium “in excess of their physiological need,” and for many individuals, this intake is higher than the highest level tested in their research.

Though the study benefits from its randomized design, there were some limitations, including lack of information on prevalence of headaches in study participants at baseline. Additionally, the data collected on headache occurrence and severity was self-reported, which could be another limitation.

Still, Dr. Appel says their findings suggest that by reducing salt consumption, people might be able to avoid some headaches. He and his colleagues note that “additional studies are needed to replicate these findings and to explore mechanisms that mediate the association between sodium intake and headache.”

Medical News Today recently reported on a study that suggested added sugars may contribute to high blood pressure more than salt.

Salt deficiency disease: symptoms and treatment

Contents

• 1 Salt deficiency: a disease that threatens human health
  • 1.1 What is salt deficiency in the body?
  • 1.2 Why is lack of salt dangerous?
  • 1.3 Diseases caused by salt deficiency
  • 1.4 What foods contain salt?
    • 1.4.1 Table of products containing salt
  • 1.5 How to use salt correctly?
    • 1.5.1 Do not eat too much salt
    • 1.5.2 Ingredients that contain the right salt
    • 1.5.3 Substitute salt for other spices
    • 1.5.4 Establish an optimal level of salt intake
  • 1.6 How to diagnose salt deficiency in the body?
  • 1.7 Salt deficiency treatment methods
  • 1.8 How to reduce the risk of salt deficiency in the body?
  • 1.9 Can salt be abused?
  • 1.10 What happens to the body when salt is consumed in excess?
  • 1.11 Related videos:
  • 1.12 Q&A:
    • • 1. 12.0.1 How can I tell if I have a salt deficiency?
      • 1.12.0.2 Can a lack of salt lead to serious illness?
      • 1.12.0.3 What is the optimal daily salt intake?
      • 1.12.0.4 I reduced my salt intake, will this help correct my blood pressure?
      • 1.12.0.5 What foods can be eaten so as not to feel the lack of salt?
      • 1.12.0.6 What can I do to prevent salt deficiency?

Lack of salt in the body can lead to serious diseases such as coronary heart disease and hyponatremia. Learn how to maintain the balance of salt in the body and prevent the development of disease from a lack of salt.

Salty food is what our body is used to consuming on a daily basis. However, some people avoid it without even thinking about the possible consequences. An absolutely essential mineral is removed from the body through sweating and urination, and therefore people should regularly include it in their diet.

Most of us enjoy salty snacks, but the main health problem of salt is that in large quantities it can lead to serious illness. Lack of salt can cause a number of health problems such as severe spasm, lack of intracellular fluid, and dysregulation of blood pressure.

It is very important to establish the right balance between salt intake and drinking water, since their lack can greatly affect the functioning of the body. In this regard, it becomes necessary to control the intake of salt in food and determine its correct diet with the help of a nutritionist. Regular use on the recommendation of a specialist will help to avoid possible diseases from a lack of salt in the human body.

What is a lack of salt in the body?

The lack of salt in the body is characterized as a lack of sodium chloride, the cause of which can be associated with various factors, such as excessive sweating or consumption of low-salt foods.

However, it is worth remembering that an excess of salt in the body can also cause not only diseases of the cardiovascular system, but also a decrease in the basic functions of the organs and systems of the body, which entails negative consequences.

Therefore, it is necessary to maintain the balance of salt in the body by eating foods with an optimal sodium content, and if there are symptoms of a lack or excess of salt, seek medical attention.

Why is lack of salt dangerous?

Lack of salt in the human body can lead to various diseases and health problems. One of the most serious complications is hypochloremic alkalosis, which occurs as a result of a decrease in the level of sodium chloride in the body. This disease can lead to disruption of the nervous system and muscles, as well as to the exhaustion of the body.

Lack of salt can also lead to hyponatremia, a condition characterized by low levels of sodium in the blood. This can lead to heart and kidney problems, as well as seizures and other health problems.

However, salt should not be abused, as its excess can also lead to serious illnesses. Studies show that reducing your salt intake to the recommended levels can reduce your risk of developing a number of diseases, such as hypertension, heart disease, and strokes.

• The lack of salt can be compensated by increasing the diet of vegetables and fruits and choosing foods low in sodium.
• However, in some cases, such as kidney disease, salt intake may be limited.

Diseases caused by lack of salt

Dizziness and feeling of weakness. Lack of salt can lead to an imbalance in the water balance in the body, which in turn can lead to dizziness, increased fatigue and a feeling of weakness.

Low blood pressure. Salty food helps retain water in the vessels, which increases blood pressure. This means that a lack of salt can lead to lower blood pressure and weaken the cardiovascular system.

Cramps and muscle ailments. Lack of salt can lead to the loss of important minerals such as potassium and magnesium, which play an important role in muscle function. This can lead to cramps and muscle ailments.

Kidney problems. Salty foods help retain water in the body and regulate sodium levels in the blood. Lack of salt can lead to kidney health problems such as kidney failure and fluid and electrolyte imbalances.

Increased risk of developing diseases of the cardiovascular system. Lack of salt may lead to an increased risk of cardiovascular diseases such as stroke, stomach cancer and hypertension.

Problems with the health of the nervous system. Lack of salt can lead to nervous system health problems such as depression, insomnia and concentration problems.

What foods contain salt?

Salt is one of the main ingredients in cooking, it gives it taste and aroma. Without it, many dishes seem tasteless and uninteresting. But, of course, you can not use it in unlimited quantities, as this can lead to negative health effects.

However, not all foods contain the same amount of salt. For example, cream cheese contains less salt than hard cheese. Meat contains more salt than fish. So if you want to control the amount of salt in your diet, it’s important to pay attention to food labels and learn how to make smarter choices in favor of healthier foods.

Table of products containing salt

Product Amount of salt (per 100 g)

901 35 2 g

Thus, in order to avoid the consequences of a lack or excess of salt in the body, it is important to monitor the amount of salt in your diet. and choose the right products.

How to use salt correctly?

Don’t eat too much salt

Salty food can be delicious, but eating too much salt can lead to various diseases. Therefore, salt intake should be reduced to an optimal level.

Ingredients that contain the right salt

There are numerous products that contain the right salt. It can be fruits, vegetables, dairy products, meat and other foods. Also, you should prefer to use natural salt, which contains fewer chemical additives.

Replace salt with other spices

It is not necessary to use salt to add flavor to food. Instead, you can use other spices such as basil, oregano, rosemary, and others. These spices will not only add flavor, but also enhance the nutritional value of the dish.

Set your optimal salt intake

The optimal salt intake for adults is about 6 grams per day. At the same time, doctors recommend reducing this level by 40 percent for those who suffer from kidney disease, cardiovascular disease or other metabolic diseases. The optimal level of salt intake will help to avoid possible health problems.

How to diagnose lack of salt in the body?

Coordination disorders

When there is not enough salt in the human body, it can affect its coordination. A person may have difficulty performing simple tasks and movements, which manifests itself in a sudden loss of balance or inconsistency in movements. If you notice similar symptoms in yourself or a loved one, this may be due to a lack of salt in the body.

Muscle cramps

Lack of salt can lead to muscle cramps, which occur as a result of the inability of the muscles to contract. This manifests itself in sharp pains or convulsive conditions in different parts of the body. If you experience these symptoms, you should see a doctor to make sure there is a lack of salt in the body.

Decreased appetite

If you do not feel like eating, this may be a sign of salt deficiency. This is because salt helps to improve the taste and nutrition of food, and when it is not enough, ordinary foods seem less attractive and tasty. If there is a decrease in appetite for a long time, you should consult a doctor to identify the causes and prevent possible complications.

Dry mouth

Lack of salt can cause dry mouth, which manifests itself as a burning sensation and itching. This is because salt helps retain moisture in body tissues and hydrate mucous membranes. If you have these symptoms, you should increase your intake of salty foods and pay attention to your diet in general.

Methods for treating salt deficiency

There are various methods for treating salt deficiency in the body, one of which is changing the diet. This may include increasing the intake of foods that contain enough salt, such as meat, fish, eggs, cheeses, corn, buckwheat, etc. It is important to note that it is necessary to monitor the amount of salt consumed and not overdo it.

It may also be helpful to reduce the level of physical activity in the treatment of salt deficiency, as sodium is lost during sweating. It is important to note that you should not completely give up exercise, which can lead to other health problems.

In some cases, the doctor may recommend infusion therapy, when the lack of salt is compensated by intravenous administration of special solutions with a low salt content.

How to reduce the risk of salt deficiency in the body?

Eat high sodium foods. Most of the foods we eat contain some sodium. However, if you want to make sure you’re getting enough salt, look out for foods that are high in sodium, such as smoked meats, canned vegetables, cheese, and prepared meals.

Add salt to your food according to your taste. One of the easiest ways to maintain normal salt levels in the body is to add salt to your food to your liking. Use sea salt because it contains more minerals and fewer chemicals than regular salt.

Do not give up salt when dieting. It is believed that salt greatly increases blood pressure levels and leads to various health problems. However, if you do not suffer from hypertension, it is quite possible to add salt to your food in reasonable amounts. Just don’t abuse it.

1. Drink more water. When you drink more water, you become thirsty, and the body begins to more actively retain salts.
2. Eat more often. When you eat regularly, you have a better chance of replenishing your body’s salt stores.
3. Monitor your kidney function. If you notice symptoms related to kidney function, you should consult a doctor. Lack of salt can worsen the condition of the kidneys.

Can salt be abused?

As you know, excess salt in the human body can lead to serious diseases such as arterial hypertension and kidney disease. But at the same time, salty foods have the ability to enhance the taste and give a brighter taste to foods, which can be truly delicious.

It is important not only to monitor the amount of salt consumed in food, but also to notice the hidden salt in the composition of products, especially canned food, sausages and cheeses. The product packaging must indicate the salt content per 100 grams of the product, and you should be guided by this information when choosing products in the store.

Thus, it is possible to answer the question about the abuse of salt ambiguously. It is important to monitor its consumption within the normal range and be aware of the salt content in hidden foods.

What happens to the body when salt is consumed in excess?

High salt intake negatively affects the health of the body. With excessive salt intake in the blood, the concentration of the hormone renin decreases and the cross section of calcium, magnesium and potassium increases, which can lead to the development of hypertension and deterioration of the cardiovascular system. There is also a violation of the filtration of the kidneys and increased urine output, which leads to tissue dehydration and an increase in the load on the kidneys.

Too much salt can lead to edema. With the absorption of excess salt in the body, the sodium content in the tissues increases. This leads to water retention in the body and a possible increase in edema, which is observed externally.

High levels of salt in the diet may increase the risk of developing cancer. One of the latest studies has shown that excessive salt intake increases the risk of developing stomach cancer by 68 times. Also, an excess of salt can lead to disruption of precarcinogenesis, a process in which the signs of an early stage of cancer development are eliminated due to the normal functioning of the immune system, which can lead to the development of cancerous tumors.

• So, excessive salt intake:
  • increases the risk of developing hypertension and has a bad effect on the cardiovascular system;
  • leads to water retention in the body and possibly an increase in edema;
  • increases the risk of developing stomach cancer, disrupts precarcinogenesis.

Related videos:

Q&A:

How can I tell if I have a salt deficiency?

Salt deficiency symptoms include: weakness, dizziness, nausea, headache, dry mouth, dehydration, constipation, and memory impairment. If you notice symptoms, see your doctor.

Can a lack of salt lead to serious illness?

Yes, lack of salt can lead to a variety of health conditions, including hyponatremia, which includes seizures, unconsciousness, heart problems, as well as muscle weakness and cognitive impairment. Therefore, you should control the level of salt in the body.

What is the optimal daily salt intake?

The optimal salt intake per day is approximately 5-6 grams. However, not everyone can accurately calculate this rate, as it may vary depending on lifestyle, age, health status and other factors. It is best to consult a doctor.

I have reduced my salt intake, will this help correct my blood pressure?

Yes, reducing salt intake can improve blood pressure in some people. However, this is not the only factor that affects blood pressure, so if you have high blood pressure, you should consult a specialist.

What foods can be eaten so as not to feel the lack of salt?

Salted nuts, fish, meat, eggs, cottage cheese, potatoes, vegetables are just some of the foods that contain enough salt that you can add to your diet to avoid salt deficiency. But before changing your diet, it is better to consult a doctor.

What can I do to prevent salt deficiency?

To prevent a lack of salt, you need to consume enough salt, monitor your diet and food hygiene, drink more fluids, and avoid extreme conditions such as heavy sweating and long hikes in high temperatures. But only a doctor can determine the ideal balance of salt in the body, so a specialist consultation is necessary.

Salt can cause headaches

Unfortunately, every year the population consumes more and more food. But as fat and carbohydrate intake increases, salt intake also increases. The latest study, published in the journal BMJ Open, concluded that diets high in sodium chloride may be associated with persistent headaches, and this association may be independent of the generally accepted view that there is a correlation between sodium chloride intake and high blood pressure, which is a common cause of headaches.

Dr. Lawrence Appel and colleagues at the Johns Hopkins University Medical Research Center in Baltimore emphasized that headache is one of the most common medical problems in virtually the entire world and is one of the most common symptoms of diseases of the nervous system.

They note that according to statistics, 46% of adults report the presence of intense headaches, as a result of which, many of them have a reduced quality of life and an increase in the number of days of incapacity for work.

Dr. Appel and colleagues say that current evidence supports a link between blood pressure and headache; However, data on the association between headache and sodium chloride intake have not been studied, and most studies have focused on the role of monosodium glutamate intake.

According to the American Heart Association, most US adults consume about 3400 mg of sodium chloride per day, more than double the recommended dose of 1500 mg.

To further explore the effect of diet on headaches, the researchers randomized data from 390 participants in a study that compared the effects of different diets on hypertension, a diet rich in vegetables, fruits, and reduced-fat dairy products, with a control standard diet.

“Blood pressure independent process” may cause headache

The study included three periods of 30 days, each participant ate a high sodium chloride meal for one period, then a period of eating a meal with a medium content of sodium chloride and last period with low salt content. Then, at the end of each specific diet period, participants recorded the frequency and severity of headaches on questionnaires.

The results of the study showed that people who ate a diet high in sodium chloride – about 8 g per day – noted a third more frequency and intensity of headaches than those who ate a diet low in sodium – about 4 g per day. day. It was also noted that this difference remained no matter what the diet was (specialized or standard)

prevent headaches.

They add:

“It should be noted that there was no association between diet patterns and headaches. This suggests that a process that is independent of blood pressure may indirectly link dietary salt levels to headaches.”

What’s more, scientists say adults in the US consume much more salt than they should, and many consume more salt than was used in the study.

And although the results of the study are sufficient, reliable, there is a certain drawback of the study due to the fact that data on the presence of headaches and their intensity at the beginning of the study were not taken into account.