Sodium chloride provides a constant osmotic pressure value. It is contained in an amount of 0.5-0.9% in the blood, as well as in tissue fluids. Under normal conditions, sodium chloride enters the human body with food consumed, but there are many situations where the amount of this substance drops, which leads to certain consequences. Most often, sodium chloride deficiency occurs due to an increase in the excretion of sodium from the body and the lack of compensation for this condition. Sodium is very rapidly excreted in many conditions, for example, with diarrhea, severe vomiting, and with a decrease in the function of the adrenal cortex.
When a deficiency of sodium chloride appears in the body, this leads to an increase in blood viscosity, since blood begins to penetrate through the wall of blood vessels into surrounding tissues (edema occurs). If the deficit is significant and has not been compensated before, then sudden spasms of smooth muscles and convulsive contractions of skeletal muscles may appear. Later signs of disturbance in the functioning of the nervous system and difficulty in blood circulation are manifested.
Today, sodium chloride is very often used in medicine as solutions for intravenous administration. Depending on what concentration of the substance in the solution, isotonic and hypertonic are distinguished. An isotonic solution has an osmotic pressure, which is equal to the osmotic pressure of the blood plasma, such a solution is also called saline. Hypertonic solution, in turn, has an osmotic pressure higher than in plasma.
The appearance of the sodium chloride solution (for intravenous administration) is a colorless liquid with a slightly salty taste. A prerequisite is the complete sterility of the solution, as well as its pyrogen-free (it should not increase the temperature of the human body with its introduction).
Very often, an isotonic sodium chloride solution is used as a means of detoxification. Due to the increase in the volume of circulating blood, toxic substances are excreted much faster from the body by the kidneys or inactivated by passing through the liver through the bloodstream.
Basically, sodium chloride is used in conditions where there is an increased loss of fluid in the body (various infections, accompanied by profuse vomiting and diarrhea, burns, extensive blood loss, especially before blood transfusion). This ensures that stable osmotic pressure is maintained in the bloodstream, which prevents the blood plasma from extending beyond the vessels and ensures normal blood viscosity.
The drug is "Sodium chloride". Instructions for use
The solution must be administered either intravenously or subcutaneously. Also, sodium chloride can be administered using enemas. But the main and more preferred is the drip of the solution intravenously. The amount of solution injected should depend on the amount of fluid lost. In very serious conditions (severe intoxication, extensive burns, etc.), up to three liters are administered.
Properties of sodium chloride. Side effects
Sodium chloride is a salt compound contained in blood plasma. Thanks to the osmotic pressure created by him, blood cannot leave the bloodstream, but as soon as the concentration of sodium drops, immediate restoration of the plasma composition is necessary. In some cases, the introduction of sodium chloride has side effects. If an excessive amount of solution has been introduced, this can lead to acidification (an increase in the number of chlorine ions leads to acidosis). In addition, hyperhydrotation (an increase in the fluid contained in the body) may occur, as well as an increase in the excretion of potassium from the body.