Since ancient times, everyone has been aware of the benefits of salt to the body. A component is present on every table, and no one can do without it. The significance of this element cannot be disputed in any way, because it affects the general condition of a person.
Since ancient times, doctors have diagnosed patients' blood for the content of various trace elements. Thanks to this, you can get an accurate idea of the condition of a person. Blood Composition:
- 90% of water;
- 8% protein;
- 1% of organic substances and electrolytes.
One of the main electrolytes, whose role is the formation of salts, acids and alkaline compounds, is sodium.
Where can I find sodium?
Already many experts have proven that the loss of a component occurs through the release of sweat under loads, therefore this element needs constant replenishment. Under a separate category of people who need to do this, those who engage in sports fall.
It is also necessary not to forget that the body itself is not able to produce sodium in the blood. That is why you should organize your diet in such a way that the element enters during meals and through the introduction of various additives. If you do not know where to find sodium, then the first product is worth mentioning exactly salt. Common table salt contains 40 percent sodium in one gram serving of its composition.
In addition, there are various components: sauces of various compositions, salted foods, sea salt and much more. The most useful is the use of sea salt, because it allows water to be excreted.
The optimal amount of sodium for the body of an adult
The rate of sodium in the blood depends on the state in which the body’s water balance is currently arriving:
- If a person intensively loses water, then sodium salts accumulate and their amount increases.
- If the body receives a lot of fluid, then sodium in the blood is eliminated from it.
The norm for a healthy person who has already reached adolescence is from 130 to 150 mmol / l. For an adult, sodium, which is contained in red blood cells, should not leave the border from 135 to 220 mmol / L.
If we talk about the rate of excretion, then for an adult, it should remain in the range from 3 to 6 grams per day.
The norm of sodium in the blood in children
In children, the concentration will be lower, and is at a mark of 130 to 140 mmol / L. When it comes to the rate of excretion, here it varies depending on age. But in general, it is from 0.5 to 2.5 grams per day.
The rate of potassium and sodium in the blood, both in adults and in children, consists of how the metabolic processes go, and what kind of nutrition is available. Young children usually consume less salt, and their kidneys work more efficiently when compared with adults.
The role of the component for the human body
If we talk about the role, then sodium in the blood has the following effects:
- The element helps maintain blood pressure, as well as water balance.
- The movement of a variety of amino acids.
- The movement of carbon dioxide.
- Protein metabolism control.
- Direct effect on the production of gastric juice.
- Metabolic control.
- It activates the pancreas.
- It is able to penetrate the epithelium and skin, which increases the absorption of vitamin D.
What is the normal sodium intake for an adult?
If we talk about the norm of sodium, which should be present every day, then this amount is 5 grams. If you translate into the amount of table salt, then from 10 to 15 g. In the case when you have strong physical exertion or high sweating in a hot climate, the amount increases.
Increased Sodium
Elevated sodium in the blood indicates a condition called hypernatremia. It can be both absolute and relative. This disease can occur in a number of cases:
- A splash of the entire hormonal component into the blood.
- Wrong amount of water in the body.
- Sodium in the blood is accumulated due to the large consumption of salty foods.
- There is a disease that retains salt in the body.
The main symptoms with elevated sodium:
- dry skin;
- stressful condition;
- pressure surges;
- involuntary trembling of the limbs;
- muscle tension.
These are the main symptoms, but each person has it individually. If the increase in sodium occurs for a long time, then a violation of the water balance in the body may occur. Which further leads to violations of the vascular, cardiac, nervous systems. The main way to normalize the sodium content in the blood is a special diet.
How to determine if you have hypernatremia?
If you think that you have this disease, then it is worth looking at some indicators:
- Body temperature rises.
- Blood pressure rises.
- Palpitations.
- A person is constantly thirsty.
In the case when you see a lot of edema on your body, the level of sodium in the blood is increased. In serum, the concentration can be reduced. This is because the intake of the hormone increases, and cations are improperly redistributed in the liquid.
Sodium deficiency
In the case when a person is found to have low sodium in the blood, then this disease is called hyponatremia. It also happens to be absolute and relative, but in both cases it has a stable clinical picture. The disease usually occurs due to the fact that there are indicators:
- You are not eating enough sodium.
- You have adrenal insufficiency.
- Diabetes.
- Loss of fluid in the body.
- Heart failure.
How to understand that you are sick with hyponatremia?
To understand that you have this particular ailment, you should pay attention to the symptoms:
- Appetite disappears.
- Persistent nausea.
- Heart rate increase.
- Lowering blood pressure.
- Apathy and the elimination of an adequate reaction to what is happening.
- Low working capacity.
In patients, this symptomatology can occur both on individual points, and all together. All aspects will tell you the attending physician, who will prescribe a detailed examination, and after a blood test for sodium is performed, methods for solving the problem and treatment are determined. It is worth remembering that in case of ailments, you should immediately contact your doctor so that he eliminates all the consequences in time, and this does not lead to further negative effects on the body.
In the case when you want to normalize the level yourself, then the diet will help you. It is prescribed only by the attending specialist and is conducted under his supervision. No need to self-medicate, because this can lead to disastrous consequences.