Some names that sodium goes by in these processed foods include: monosodium glutamate (MSG), sodium nitrite, sodium saccharin, baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) and sodium benzoate. Your body needs sodium to survive -- it regulates the amount of water in and around your cells -- but it doesn’t need too much of it. The sensation of thirst, renal function, concentrating abilities and hormonal modulators of salt and water balance are often impaired in the elderly, which makes such patients highl… Dietary steps you can take to take care of your adrenals include eating more fresh veggies and fruits, foods high in B vitamins (like fish or eggs), mushrooms, coconut oil/coconut milk and seaweed. Once you’ve ruled out disorders like adrenal gland insufficiency (Addison’s disease) and thyroid disorders/damage, work on balancing your hormones naturally through exercise, stress-reducing practices (like yoga, deep breathing or meditation), eating a nutrient-dense diet, using hormone-balancing essential oils, and possibly taking herbs/supplements that can help. Reasons that hormone production can change include adrenal gland insufficiency (Addison’s disease) and. She also owns an Etsy shop selling custom invitations and prints. are clickable links to medically peer-reviewed studies. 1. Dr. Ramin Rafie answered. Sodium plays an essential role in various bodily functions, such as fluid balance, … If medications such as diuretics or antidepressants are contributing to your condition, then your doctor can recommend how to change your dosage in order to increase sodium levels and prevent water retention safely. But they offer little in the way of nutrition to benefit your body. When the sodium level is up such as in your case, it means that your volume or fluid st ... Read More. Monitor How Much Water You Drink (Especially During Exercise). Different types of foods and drinks can be consumed to support an increase in sodium levels. This is especially true if they take medications that impact fluid levels, have been staying in the hospital, or are sick. In other words, intake and excretion of salt versus water must be balanced. The problem with having too little sodium, and, at the same time, too much water, is that it causes your cells to swell. Kidney dysfunction, kidney disease, liver disease or damage, thyroid disorders, adrenal fatigue and heart disease can all increase your risk for hyponatremia, so it’s important to treat these underlying conditions. What Foods Are Good For Low Sodium Levels? Older age. Our team includes licensed nutritionists and dietitians, certified health education specialists, as well as certified strength and conditioning specialists, personal trainers and corrective exercise specialists. Does Salt Intake Affect Urine Production? Producing high levels of the anti-diuretic hormone (ADH). Taking medications that alter sodium/water levels. Learn why it happens, how to spot the symptoms, and how to get the right treatment. Sodium levels are often measured as part of a complete metabolic panel, which provides doctors important information about your overall health. 1 doctor agrees. Can Drinking High Sodium Drinks Cause Low Sodium Blood Levels? (7) Another good way to know if you’re drinking about the right amount of water during the day (even you’re not active) is to check the color of your urine: you’re looking for a pale yellow color as often as possible, as opposed to clear or very dark. The sodium level in the blood becomes abnormally high when water loss exceeds sodium loss. Hyponatremia happens when sodium levels in your body become too diluted; too much water is present in the blood in proportion to sodium. Levels below 135 mEq/L are called hyponatremia, whereas levels above 145 mEq/L are called hypernatremia . When hyponatremia is severe and brain damage is possible, around 3 percent sodium solution is usually administered to control complications. If you have any of these health problems, be sure to monitor your symptoms closely, eat a healthy diet, and speak to your doctor about ways to control fluid levels so that too much fluid/water does not accumulate in your body. WebMD: Salt Shockers Slideshow: High-Sodium Surprises, American Heart Association: Sodium (Salt or Sodium Chloride), Texas A&M Agrilife Extension: The Sodium Content of Your Food. Sodium is found outside the cells of the body and is important for maintaining blood pressure. If you consume very high amounts of hydrating foods plus water, but not enough natural sea salt or sodium, it can help to make some changes. When this happens, your body's water levels rise, and your cells begin to swell. Drinking too much water will dilute the amount of sodium in your blood in proportion to water, triggering the symptoms described above. Treatment for hyponatremia usually comes down to regulating fluid levels in the body. This is controlled along with the water levels in the body fluids by increasing water intake with stimulation of thirst and regulating the water excretion through the urine. This Dr. Axe content is medically reviewed or fact checked to ensure factually accurate information. Both conditions often occur when patients are staying in the hospital. Assessment of the patient’s symptoms or signs that represent an electrolyte imbalance, like nausea, vomiting, dizziness or diarrhea. (Plus Top Hug Benefits), Brain Detox: Is It Time for a Cleanse? These symptoms can be attributed to a number of conditions, so see your health care provider before assuming you should consume more sodium. Certain beverages are high in sodium, which can help you with your goal of increasing sodium levels. 4. This is especially true if they are receiving fluid intravenously, have an existing condition like kidney or heart disease, or are in critical care. Look out for signs and symptoms of low blood sodium that come on suddenly. Plasma sodium (amount of sodium in the blood), Plasma osmolality (osmolality tests provide a snapshot of the concentration of solutes in a given volume of bodily fluid, in this case the amount of water and sodium present in the blood/serum), Urine sodium (how much sodium the body is excreting in urine), Urine osmolality (concentration of solutes in the urine). If you’re currently pregnant, going through menopause, or experiencing other hormonal changes, this may be one reason you’re experiencing swelling, fatigue, mood changes, etc. Those with stressed adrenal glands are also an increased risk. Try eating more of the following foods that are high in sodium; Salter butter or margarine; Olives; Sauerkraut; Bread; Pasta; Rice; Cottage cheese Allowing your muscles and nerves to work properly. Try to drink only as much fluid as you are thirsty for and are losing due to to sweating. With strict editorial sourcing guidelines, we only link to academic research institutions, reputable media sites and, when research is available, medically peer-reviewed studies. The primary way that we obtain sodium is from consuming it through our diet in the form of sodium chloride, or table salt. It’s the opposite of the condition called hypernatremia, in which sodium levels are very high. One teaspoon (5 milliliters) of table salt/sea salt contains about 2,300 milligrams of sodium, and most health authorities recommend that the majority of adults who don’t have any heart or kidney problems should limit their added salt intake to this same amount (2,300 milligrams per day if you’re healthy, or no more than 1,500 milligrams per day if you have an existing condition like heart disease). Symptoms of low blood sodium can vary from person to person. Premenopausal women appear to be at the greatest risk of hyponatremia. Learn more about low sodium levels, risk factors, prevention and treatment here. Some healthy foods also naturally provide smaller amounts of sodium, including meat, milk, beets, and celery. ): Situations and health conditions that cause hyponatremia most often include: When a patient sees a doctor regarding hyponatremia symptoms, or is already staying in the hospital when the condition develops, the healthcare provider will usually look for any indication of electrolyte imbalance by taking several measurements: Once your doctor diagnoses you with hyponatremia, he or she doctor might decide to restore normal fluid levels by giving you intravenous fluids or medications. Drinks enriched with sodium such as vegetable juices can boost your blood sodium levels. Instant pudding. While drinking enough water is generally very important for numerous bodily functions, drinking too much (especially within a short period of time) is also possible. Hence, you should reduce the number of diuretics that you tend to intake. Hypovolemic is when blood volume and sodium are both low. Treatment to raise sodium levels depends on the cause and symptoms. What Level Is Below Dangerous for Serum Sodium? Symptoms like nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, headaches, weakness, fatigue and confusion characterize hyponatremia. This is important after a hospital stay, surgery, partaking in a marathon/long-distance race, a bout of dehydration or illness (like a fever). © Copyright 2020 Hearst Communications, Inc. Hyponatremia is an electrolyte imbalance caused by too little sodium in the body in proportion to water. Your cells begin to swell as your body’s water levels rise, and you could experience symptoms such as nausea, headache, confusion, loss of energy and muscle cramps. Another easy way to get in extra sodium to your diet is by using more salt … When hyponatremia is mild, or sometimes, even moderate, it’s commonly asymptomatic. This can cause dehydration (taking in too little electrolytes through foods and fluids). This is due to how women’s sex hormones affect fluid and sodium levels. However, when it’s more severe, hyponatremia symptoms typically include headaches, nausea and in some cases even seizures or a coma. Change Your Medications, Including Diuretics. If you need to drink a beverage to get your sodium levels up, try to double-dip and make it a nutritious, sodium-rich beverage. Being a premenopausal woman. An eight-ounce glass of the popular V8 brand may contain up to 500 milligrams of sodium, so be mindful of your daily intake. Drugs that can cause or contribute to hyponatremia include thiazide diuretics, antidepressants and pain medications. Hyponatremia that develops over 48 hours or longer is considered “chronic hyponatremia.” This is usually riskier due to potential complications. If your blood sodium levels get too low, you might develop a condition called hyponatremia. The goal of fluids and medications is to raise sodium levels/low water retention. In hypernatremia, the body contains too little water for the amount of sodium. (1) Hyponatremia and related electrolyte imbalances can develop during exercise or in extreme heat, when dehydration symptoms are more common. Surveys have found that hyponatremia develops in 15-30 percent of all patients during hospital stays. Treatments for hyponatremia include: drinking the right amount of water in proportion to how much sodium you’re losing, managing underlying health conditions, eating a balanced diet, taking care of your adrenal glands, and balancing your hormone levels. Kelsey Casselbury has a Bachelor of Arts in journalism from Penn State-University Park. Premenopausal women appear to be at the greatest risk of hyponatremia due to how women’s sex hormones affect fluid and sodium levels. A 34-year-old member asked: is there a treatment for hyponatremia (low sodium)? Although you should never change medications or stop taking them without speaking with your doctor first, you might be able to help treat conditions like bloating, anxiety and depression using natural remedies like a healthy diet, essential oils, exercise, stress reduction and certain supplements. Indeed, the presence of low sodium levels in the blood in relation to high water levels, a condition known as hyponatremia, can lead to a number of health problems. Symptoms are more serious when blood sodium levels fall quickly. Dr. Josh Axe is on a mission to provide you and your family with the highest quality nutrition tips and healthy recipes in the world...Sign up to get VIP access to his eBooks and valuable weekly health tips for FREE! This can happen in very hot temperatures, when someone is fasting, or during exercise and endurance sports. Hot cocoa from a mix, prepared with water, contains 232 milligrams of sodium, and flavored instant coffee contains 124 milligrams. The Advantages & Disadvantages of Sodium for Nutrition. Drink Your Veggies If you need to drink a beverage to get your sodium levels up, try to double-dip and make it a nutritious, sodium-rich beverage. Normally your body obtains sodium through your diet and loses the right amount through your urine or sweat. 2. (. The doctor will adjust fluids to correct the imbalance, depending on if a patient has hyponatremia (too little salt in their blood) or hypernatremia (too much salt), . How Many Hugs a Day Does a Person Need? If you don't need quite that much sodium, try a low-sodium vegetable juice. However, certain people -- such as athletes who sweat a lot -- might experience a condition known as hyponatremia, or low levels of sodium in the blood. PROBLEM: Prolonged exercise in the heat coupled with fitness preparation, acclimatization to course conditions, fluid overdose, osmolar influences generated by poor calorie selection may alter serum sodium levels in such a manner as to induce severe or critical hyponatremia. Pudding doesn’t taste salty, but there’s plenty of sodium hiding in instant pudding … Hyponatremia means low sodium levels in the blood. Some foods naturally contain more sodium than others. how to treat low sodium levels in the elderly. A low sodium level in the blood is called hyponatremia and can be caused by several things. Low blood sodium (hyponatremia) occurs when you have an abnormally low amount of sodium in your blood or when you have too much water in your blood. Include naturally high sodium foods. Surveys have found that hyponatremia develops in 15-30 percent of all patients during hospital stays. Causes of Low Sodium in the Elderly Water and sodium levels are closely related regulated together. 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