If you think too much sodium in your system is bad for you, you are wrong! It turns out that low sodium levels can also be dangerous to your health. Sodium is an electrolyte that helps regulate the amount of water in your cells. Abnormally low sodium levels have a medical condition known as hyponatremia. A value below 135 milliequivalent per liter (mEq/L) indicates low sodium levels. The National Institutes of Health (NIH), UK, defines hyponatremia, which is dangerously low blood sodium concentration.
Here’s everything you need to know about the symptoms and what you can do to raise your low sodium levels.
Symptoms of hyponatremia
Individuals with low sodium levels may experience the following signs and symptoms, according to the NIH:
- headache
- confusion
- fatigue
- Nausea and vomiting
- lethargy
- convulsions
Complications of hyponatremia
A slow drop in sodium levels over 48 hours or more can lead to a number of complications in your brain. Another reason is rapid swelling of the brain. This can lead to coma and death if left untreated. Pre-menopausal women appear to be more susceptible to brain damage caused by hyponatraemia. This may be linked to how a woman’s sex hormones affect the body’s ability to maintain a healthy salt level. According to leading health authorities
Natural ways to increase sodium levels or prevent hyponatremia.
Although the treatment of the condition depends on its severity, But hyponatremia is also naturally preventable. But that doesn’t mean these methods are a substitute for medical care. Having said that, let’s look at some natural ways to increase sodium levels and prevent diseases:
1. Consume foods that are high in sodium.
This is because sodium is responsible for regulating body fluids, blood volume, and blood pressure. It is therefore essential to control the sodium level within the normal range. One way to do this is by eating a diet high in sodium. eating cheese Dairy products, seafood, beetroot, carrots and celery are some of the best foods to eat if you want to add sodium-rich foods to your diet.
2. Increase Your Salt Intake
Salt is a dietary source of sodium that you can include in your diet. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), your salt intake should be less than 5 grams per day. However, consuming too much salt can be harmful to your health. Therefore, do not consume more than necessary. Check with your doctor first. Especially if you have high blood pressure, diabetes, kidney disease or others.
3. Drink beverages during exercise.
Do you tend to sweat a lot while doing sports? If yes, then you should drink more healthy electrolytes and electrolytes. Excessive sweating or dehydration can lead to hyponatremia. And these drinks contain nutrients like sugars, electrolytes and water, which can help you manage them.
4. Drink water in moderation.
Water is very important in maintaining excess sodium levels in your body. Having enough fluids in your body can help you with hyponatremia. However, overhydration can also be a problem. The best indicators of how much water you generally need are your thirst and the color of your urine. Light yellow urine is an indicator that you are dehydrated and drinking enough water.
5. Identify underlying medical conditions.
Certain medical conditions, such as kidney disease or adrenal insufficiency, can lower your sodium levels, so the best way to manage your sodium levels in such cases is to identify any underlying medical conditions. under medical help
