When you suppose solely an excessive amount of sodium in your system is unhealthy for you, you’re mistaken! Seems, low sodium ranges can be harmful in your well being. Sodium is an electrolyte that assists in regulating the quantity of water in your cells. Abnormally low ranges of sodium are characterised by a medical situation referred to as hyponatremia. Something decrease than 135 milliequivalents per litre (mEq/L) signifies low ranges of sodium. The Nationwide Institutes of Well being (NIH), UK, defines hyponatremia s a situation by which the focus of sodium in your blood is dangerously low.
Right here’s every little thing it’s essential to know concerning the situation and what you are able to do to extend low sodium ranges.
Signs of hyponatremia
An individual who has low ranges of sodium might expertise the next indicators and signs, in line with NIH:
- Headache
- Confusion
- Fatigue
- Nausea and vomiting
- Lethargy
- Seizure
Problems of hyponatremia
A gradual decline in sodium ranges for 48 hours or extra can result in a number of issues in your mind. One other trigger is speedy mind swelling, which can even result in coma and loss of life if left untreated. Ladies of their pre-menopausal years appear to be most prone to mind harm introduced on by hyponatremia. This is likely to be related to how girls’s intercourse hormones have an effect on the physique’s capability to keep up wholesome salt ranges, as per main well being authorities.
Pure methods to extend sodium ranges or forestall hyponatremia
Whereas the remedy of the situation depends upon its severity, hyponatremia could be prevented naturally as nicely. Nonetheless, that doesn’t imply that these methods are a substitute for medical remedy. Having stated that, let’s take a look at the pure methods to extend sodium ranges and maintain illnesses at bay:
1. Eat meals wealthy in sodium
Since sodium is chargeable for controlling bodily fluids and blood quantity and blood strain, it’s vital to maintain your sodium ranges in verify. One approach to do it’s to eat sodium-rich meals. Consuming cheese, dairy merchandise, seafood, beets, carrots, and celery are a number of the finest meals to eat if you wish to embrace extra sodium-rich meals in your eating regimen.
2. Enhance your salt consumption
Salt is a dietary supply of sodium that you could embrace in your eating regimen. As per the World Well being Group (WHO), your salt consumption ought to be lower than 5 grams per day. Nonetheless, consuming an excessive amount of salt could be harmful in your well being so don’t eat greater than required. Additionally, verify together with your physician first, particularly if in case you have hypertension, diabetes, kidney illness or extra.
3. Drink drinks throughout bodily exercise
Do you are likely to sweat rather a lot whereas doing a sports activities exercise? If sure, it is best to drink extra sports activities drinks which are wholesome and incorporates electrolytes. Extreme sweating or dehydration could cause hyponatremia, and these drinks include a mix of vitamins like sugar, electrolytes, and water, which will help you cope with it.
4. Drink water carefully
Water is essential to keep up extra sodium ranges in your physique. Having sufficient fluids in your physique will enable you to with hyponatremia. Nonetheless, being over-hydrated can be an issue. The most effective indicators of how a lot water you want are usually thirst and the color of your urine. Gentle yellow urine is a sign that you’re not dehydrated and eat sufficient water.
5. Tackle underlying medical situation
Sure underlying medical situations equivalent to kidney illness or adrenal insufficiency could cause your sodium ranges to drop. So, the easiest way to handle your sodium ranges in such circumstances is by addressing the underlying medical situations with the assistance of a physician.
