Il sodium is an essential electrolyte that helps maintain water balance in and around cells; it is important for proper muscle and nerve function and also helps keep blood pressure levels stable.
Blood sodium insufficiency is also known as hyponatremia and occurs when water and sodium are not in balance: either there is too much water or too little sodium in the blood.
Usually the sodium level should be between 135 and 145 mEq per liter; hyponatremia occurs when the sodium level falls below 135 mEq / L.
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Sodium Deficiency Symptoms
Symptoms can vary from person to person; if sodium levels gradually decrease, often, no symptoms occur; if, on the other hand, they decrease rapidly, symptoms may be more severe. The most common symptoms are:
- Weakness
- Little energy
- Headache
- Nausea
- Threw up
- Muscle cramps
- Confusion
- Irritability
If you experience any of the symptoms of sodium deficiency, contact your doctor immediately, who will be able to advise you on the tests to be done and any treatments and additions.
Causes of sodium deficiency
Many factors can cause its deficiency; Sodium levels can drop if the body loses too much water and electrolytes or in conjunction with certain medical conditions.
Causes of sodium deficiency include:
- Vomiting or diarrhea
- Taking certain medications such as: antidepressants, pain relievers and diuretics
- Drinking too much water while exercising (very rare)
- Dehydration
- Kidney failure
- Diseases of the liver
- Heart disease (Addison's disease affects the adrenal gland's ability to regulate the body's sodium, potassium, and water balance)
- Hypothyroidism
- Primary polydipsia (a condition that causes excessive thirst)
- Using ecstasy
- Syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone secretion
- Insipid diabetes.
Who is at risk?
Some factors increase the risk of sodium deficiency:
- Old age
- Use of diuretics
- Use of antidepressants
- Being a competitive athlete
- Living in areas with a very hot climate
- Follow a low sodium diet
- Previous medical conditions
If you are at risk of sodium deficiency, pay more attention to your water and electrolyte intake.
How is sodium deficiency diagnosed?
A blood test that looks at the amount of minerals and electrolytes can help your doctor diagnose a sodium deficiency.
If the levels of these tests are abnormal, the doctor may also order a urine test to evaluate the amount of sodium in them.
The results of these tests will help determine the cause of a sodium deficiency:
- If sodium levels are low in the blood but high in the urine, the body is losing too much sodium
- Low levels of sodium in the blood and urine indicate that the body is not getting enough sodium.
Remedies
Treatment for a sodium deficiency in the blood varies depending on the cause and can include:
- Reduce your fluid intake
- Review the dosage of diuretics
- Taking medications
- Treatment of triggering conditions
- Infusion of an intravenous sodium solution
Remember to always contact your doctor if you suspect that you have a deficiency of this mineral!
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