Salt (sodium chloride) is composed of 40% sodium and 60% chloride. It is used to add flavor to food, and it is also used as a food preservative against bacteria. As for the human body, sodium plays a major role as it helps maintain normal blood pressure, nerve and muscle functions. However, the body needs a small amount of sodium, ranging from 135 to 145 milliequivalents per liter. This is to conduct nerve impulses, maintain muscle and nerve functions, and achieve the natural balance of water and minerals. So the person needs to Salt treatment If it is less than 135 milliequivalents/liter or more than 145 milliequivalents/liters.

Reasons for lack of salts in the body

Hyponatremia occurs due to fluid retention in the body, which results in reducing sodium levels in the blood to less than 135 milliequivalents / liter. Among the reasons that may lead to a deficiency of salts:

1. Taking certain medications

Certain medications, such as antidepressants and pain medications, can interfere with normal hormone and kidney processes that keep sodium levels within the normal range.

2. Some health problems

Certain diseases such as kidney disease, liver disease, and congestive heart failure can cause fluid to build up in the body, causing low sodium levels.

3. Syndrome of inappropriate secretion of antidiuretic hormone

In this case, the body produces high levels of anti-diuretic hormone (SIADH), which causes fluid to be retained in the body instead of being excreted normally through urine.

4. Chronic diarrhea

Chronic diarrhea may cause the body to lose many electrolytes, including sodium, and may lead to increased antidiuretic hormone levels.

5. Drinking too much water

Excessive drinking of water can lower sodium levels by putting pressure on the kidneys’ ability to excrete water.

6. Hormonal changes

Adrenal insufficiency can make it difficult to produce hormones that help balance sodium, potassium, and water in the body, causing low levels of sodium in the blood.

Symptoms of salt deficiency

The lack of salts in the body, known as hyponatremia, occurs more often in the elderly, those who take some types of medications, or those who suffer from medical conditions that deplete sodium from the body. Which may lead to the emergence of some symptoms such as:

Treatment of low salts in the body

Understanding the symptoms and causes is one way to help prevent the risk of hyponatremia. Some of the ways to treat low salts are:

1. Treatment of pathological conditions: Which may cause low sodium levels such as adrenal insufficiency.

2. Drink water at a moderate rate: Feeling thirsty and the color of your urine are usually indicators of how much water your body needs. If you’re not thirsty and your urine is pale yellow, you’re probably getting enough water.

3. Intravenous fluids: In cases of severe sodium deficiency, the doctor may recommend the use of an intravenous sodium solution, in order to slowly raise the levels of sodium in the blood until it reaches the normal range.

4. Taking Medications: Taking some medications may help treat symptoms of salt deficiency such as headache and nausea.

5. Eat foods high in sodium: Sodium occurs naturally in many foods such as fruits, vegetables, nuts, meat, dairy products, bread, and poultry.

Reasons for increasing salts in the body

Hypernatremia is the result of low water levels and an imbalance of electrolytes including sodium and potassium. It is considered one of the most susceptible to this occurrence athletes or those who drink insufficient amounts of water.

Some people may also have difficulty absorbing the increased levels of sodium in the blood. Where some studies have found that some people are more sensitive to salt than others, which leads to the accumulation of sodium, and thus the body retains water, and increases the amounts of fluids surrounding the cells and the volume of blood in the bloodstream in order to reduce sodium. Which requires more work and effort from the heart and blood vessels. Over time, this may result in an increased chance of developing many diseases, such as:

Some health conditions may also cause an increased risk of electrolyteemia, such as:

Symptoms of excess salts

The elderly are the most at risk of hypernatremia, as a result of decreased thirst with age and lack of movement. And when you have hypernatremia, some accompanying symptoms may appear, such as:

• Nausea or vomiting
• Anorexia
• extreme thirst
• Throat dryness
• Breathing difficulty
• lethargy
• muscle weakness
• trance

Treatment of excess salts in the body

Treatment for hypernatremia depends on knowing the underlying cause, but most treatments work to restore water levels to normal levels and reduce sodium intake. Among the treatment methods:

1. Fluid replenishment

Liquids can only be drunk in mild cases of hypernatremia in order to treat excess salts, but in severe cases, intravenous fluids with a small amount of sodium are resorted to. This is with the aim of slowly reducing sodium levels until it reaches the normal range.

2. Eat foods rich in potassium

It is possible to rely on eating foods that contain a high level of potassium compared to sodium, in order to help reduce sodium in the body. It may also help lower blood pressure, which reduces the chances of heart disease and stroke. Examples of these foods are bananas, orange juice, and roasted peanuts.

3. Diuretics

Diuretics are used to help the body get rid of extra fluids, especially water and sodium. Doctors prescribe them when the body retains large amounts of fluid. It may also be used in some pathological conditions to regulate fluids in the body, such as:

Despite the benefits of diuretics, some side effects may result from taking them, such as:

4. Treatment of pathological conditions

This corrects any rise in stress hormone or glucose levels. Which may result from diabetes or any other medical condition. Reducing excess sodium levels, which may result from taking some medications or as a result of using an excessive percentage of intravenous fluids while receiving treatment.

In the end, if you suffer from low or high sodium, you need to consult a doctor for salt treatment. And if you are now in need of reliable medical advice, you can contact a certified doctor.