Salt is a food product, which is a crushed colorless crystal. There are several different types of salt: small, coarse, iodized, pure or nitrite, etc. This is one of the few products that becomes the subject of various disputes. Can I live without salt or not? What will happen if you use it in large quantities? How dangerous is the lack of salt in the human body?
general information
Everyone should know what symptoms of a lack of salt in the body can occur. Indeed, for the normal functioning of the human body, this product is extremely necessary.
Salt riots arose quite often in history, which were associated with a deficiency of this substance. Moreover, there are cases when such a product was valued much higher than gold. And all this for good reason.
The biological role of sodium chloride
Lack of salt in the human body can lead to disastrous consequences, as it is vital for the normal and smooth operation of the whole body.
As you know, the composition of the seasoning includes 60% sodium and 40% chlorine. Chlorine ion in this product is the main material that allows the production of hydrochloric acid, which acts as an essential component of gastric juice. As for the sodium ion, together with the ions of other elements, it is involved in the contraction of muscle fibers and the transmission of nerve impulses. In this regard, it should be noted that the main symptoms of a lack of salt in the body are:
- general weakness;
- disorders of the gastrointestinal tract;
- fatigue;
- neuromuscular disorders.
Too much salt
Few people know about the symptoms of lack of salt in the body. This is due, first of all, to the fact that a deficiency of such a substance in humans occurs extremely rarely. After all, modern food products are so saturated with salt that it is more likely that an excess of it is formed rather than a shortage.
By the way, many people know about the signs of a peculiar overdose of this seasoning. Excessive salt intake always causes an increase in blood pressure, as well as fluid retention in the body, which contributes to the occurrence of edema.
The required amount of sodium chloride
Under what conditions can obvious symptoms of a lack of salt in the body be observed? There are completely different data on the amount of this product necessary for the normal functioning of the human body. For example, WHO recommends consuming only 2 g of sodium per day (equivalent to 5 g of common table salt). As for American experts, in their opinion, a person should be limited to one teaspoon of seasoning per day (corresponds to 4-6 g). At the same time, they clarify that the specified amount of salt should increase with increased sweating, sports, heat stress and some diseases.
It is necessary to take into account the fact that the seasoning also includes that seasoning, which is, for example, used in human semi-finished products, canned food, sauces, etc.
Clear signs of a lack of salt in the body
Recognizing the fact that a person lacks sodium chloride is quite difficult. This is due to the fact that the first symptoms of salt deficiency in the body are typical of many other diseases. For example, a person may experience weakness, headaches, dizziness, and nausea.
Lack of salt also contributes to lowering blood pressure, various rashes on the skin, high fatigue, drying out of the oral mucosa, rare urination, development of dry skin, seizures in the extremities, constant drowsiness, and apathy. If you do not take all necessary measures in time, then all of the above symptoms may be added and memory loss.
Other deficiency symptoms
In the event that sodium chloride does not enter the body for several days, a person may experience a marked decrease in appetite, which entails significant weight loss. It is this fact that attracts many people who want to lose weight. However, experts argue that a salt-free diet is an extremely dangerous method of dealing with excess weight. After all, if sodium in the human body is less than 115 mol / l, then this threatens with serious problems, and sometimes even death. Therefore, doctors advise using a salt-free diet only for medicinal purposes and only under the supervision of a specialist. Such a limited diet can be prescribed, for example, with diseases of the urinary tract and kidneys. It should be remembered that with a complete rejection of salt, muscle tissue is the first to suffer. In this regard, a person is lethargic and there is a desire to be at rest all the time (that is, an unwillingness to move). Thus, the body ceases to function normally.
In medical practice, a deficiency of salt in the human body is called hyponatremia. Making such a diagnosis requires immediate action to supply sodium chloride to the body.
Why is there a shortage?
The cause of a lack of salt in the body or hyponatremia may be taking diuretic decoctions or medications without the supervision of a doctor. The use of such drugs leads to leaching of sodium from the body, which entails serious consequences.
It should also be said that there are several diseases that can quite easily lead to a salt deficiency in humans. These include the following:
- kidney problems
- pancreatitis
- cirrhosis of the liver;
- peritonitis;
- heart diseases;
- urolithiasis disease.
In addition, sodium deficiency can occur with vomiting, prolonged diarrhea, or blood loss. A decrease in the amount of this substance in the body is also noted in conditions such as burns and frostbite.
The consequences of a lack of salt in the body
Symptoms of an excess of sodium chloride in the human body are an increase in blood pressure and swelling. It is pointless to talk about the consequences of such states, since everyone has long known about them.
As for the consequences of a lack of salt in the human body, few know about them. First of all, it should be noted that without this element the normal functioning of the body is in principle impossible. If a deficiency of sodium chloride nevertheless arose, then the person will face the following problems:
- disorders in the nervous system;
- decreased immunity;
- diseases of the heart, blood vessels;
- violation of the water-mineral balance;
- digestion disorder;
- jumps in osmotic pressure;
- slowing down the release of the hormone adrenaline;
- significant problems with muscle tissue (cramping, weakness, swelling, cramps).
Thus, with a deficiency of salt in the body, serious changes are observed in all internal chemical processes.
Sequence of the effects of sodium chloride deficiency
If sodium chloride does not enter the human body for several days, then at first the body will replenish it from its reserves. In the event that the obvious symptoms of deficiency are ignored and the person does not take all the necessary measures, then soon after the main signs the nervous system will begin to be affected, and then there will be problems with the heart, blood vessels and kidneys. Following this, a person will disrupt all chemical processes in the body, and then muscle cramps will appear. If at this stage no measures are taken, then a deterioration will occur and the person will fall into a deep coma.
Hyponatremia Treatment
Is hyponatremia treated, and what to do with a deficiency of salt in the body? If such a situation arises, the best solution is to consult with a qualified specialist.
To confirm the diagnosis of hyponatria, doctors most often recommend urine and blood tests. According to them, the specialist will be able not only to determine the cause of the disease, but also exactly what amount of sodium chloride is missing.
After passing the analysis and confirming the diagnosis, the treatment method is also selected. Hypersensitivity is usually treated by the intravenous administration of saline. If the patient is taking diuretics, then they are offered another method of therapy (for example, intravenous administration of Vazapol and taking Demeclocycline).
What foods to eat?
No matter how trite it may sound, but most often to eliminate salt deficiency in the body, experts recommend eating food and drinks containing this element.
As you know, salt is found in almost all foods. However, it should be said that sodium is more rich in:
- soy sauce, homemade pickles;
- milk and eggs;
- seafood, cheese;
- carrots and seaweed.
If you need a quick replenishment of salt in the body, then you need to use salted herring, smoked sausages, shrimp, sauerkraut, cheese.