Is it dangerous to have too much salt (sodium) in your body? Let's talk about Hypernatremia.

We all feel extremely thirsty at times, right? Sometimes we think it's normal, and that drinking a little water will fix it. But did you know that this excessive thirst can be a sign that your blood sodium (a component of the salt we eat) has increased and your water level has decreased? This is what we call hypernatremia in medicine.

Hypernatremia: Simply put, an increase in sodium in the body

Simply put, hypernatremia is when your blood has too much sodium and too little water. Sodium is an electrolyte in our bodies. Doctors measure this when the sodium level in the blood is more than 145 milliequivalents per liter. The normal level for a healthy person should be between 136 and 145.

This condition is most common in young children and the elderly . Some medical conditions can also increase the risk. But the most common cause is dehydration, which is a lack of water in the body.

Our bodies are amazing. When the sodium and water balance in our blood is a little out of whack, our bodies recognize it and start to correct it. When sodium levels are high, they make you feel thirsty and encourage you to drink water. They also produce hormones like aldosterone and antidiuretic hormone (ADH), which reduce the amount of water your kidneys excrete and retain. At that point, your urine becomes dark yellow and more concentrated. In this way, our bodies naturally try to maintain this balance by excreting more sodium and retaining water.

The opposite of hypernatremia is hyponatremia. This is a decrease in sodium levels in the blood. This can also be dangerous. Therefore, both excessive dehydration and overhydration are not good.

Why is sodium so important for our bodies?

We often hear, "Don't eat too much salt, it increases blood pressure." That's true. But did you know that sodium is an essential nutrient for our bodies?

• For the nervous system: Sodium is essential for sending messages through our nervous system, like electrical signals. These signals are what cause our muscles to contract and we move.
• Blood pressure: When the amount of sodium in the blood increases, more water is added to the blood to balance it out. This increases the volume inside the blood vessels and increases blood pressure.
• Fluid balance in cells: Sodium helps to precisely control the amount of fluid in and out of every cell in our body.

What are the symptoms of hypernatremia?

Hypernatremia often causes symptoms of dehydration, but some symptoms are caused by effects on the nervous system.

Who is at higher risk of developing hypernatremia?

This risk exists any time water is lost from the body, but not sodium.

• Diarrhea and vomiting (Gastroenteritis): During this time, a large amount of water is lost from the body.
• Burns: When the skin is burned, a large amount of fluid evaporates through it.
• Excessive sweating: due to fever, extreme heat, or excessive exercise.
• Kidney problems: When the kidneys cannot properly control water and sodium.
• Diabetes: In uncontrolled diabetes (Hyperglycemia), excess water is excreted in the urine.
• Loss of thirst: The sense of thirst decreases with age and in some neurological diseases.
• Diabetes Insipidus: This is a rare disease. It is caused by a problem with a hormone (vasopressin) that controls water in the body, causing excessive urination.
• Incorrect sodium intake: Sometimes it can be caused by adding too much salt when making baby formula, taking too many salt tablets, or drinking sea water. If this happens, see a doctor immediately. If necessary, you can also call the National Poison Information Center at the National Hospital for advice.

How does the doctor diagnose and treat this?

Your doctor will confirm this with a simple blood test . He or she may also do a urine test.

The main goal of treatment is to restore the body's lost water and correct the sodium and water balance.

• If the condition is not serious: The doctor will tell you to drink water or other fluids (drinks containing electrolytes).
• If the condition is severe: You may need to be hospitalized and given saline (IV fluids) directly into a vein.

Is eating too much salt a hindrance to weight loss?

This is also a very important point. The packaged and store-bought foods we eat are high in sodium (salt). Studies have shown that people who eat foods high in salt are more likely to gain body fat and become obese.

Think about it, salty food tastes better. That's why we eat more of it. Also, eating salty food makes us thirsty. Then we often end up drinking sugary drinks (soda). All of this adds up to weight gain.

Therefore, the best way to control blood pressure and body weight is to eat as much homemade, fresh food as possible.