January 28, 2010

Sodium Deficiency Causes And Symptoms

Posted in Category : Foods that Heal

Sodium is one more mineral that is vital for the smooth functioning of the body. Maintaining the right level and amount of Sodium in our body is equivalent to maintaining our balance while walking on a tight rope. This is because there are very few natural foods (beetroot, celery, spinach, shrimps, and oysters) that contain this mineral. Our supply of Sodium comes mainly from the salt that we add to our food – either during processing or cooking the food. The presence of the right amount of Sodium in our body ensures that the balance between the various fluids in our body is maintained, the acid-based balance of our tissues is not disturbed, and our nerves are able to transmit their impulses and reactions effortlessly. Sodium plays an extremely important and vital role in maintaining our blood pressure. Apart from that, Sodium also helps in activating the adrenal glands and makes sure that other minerals as well as calcium have no problem getting absorbed by the blood.

But if the balance is disturbed, and the amount of Sodium in our body becomes less, our body is assailed with weakness, muscle cramps, nausea, sluggishness both metal and physical, low blood pressure, and loss of appetite. Severe loss of Sodium may even lead to a situation where the body goes into complete shock due to the sudden and extreme decrease of the blood pressure. To avoid all these complications, it is extremely important that we recognize the symptoms that work as precursors of this problem. The very first indication that the body gives when the sodium balance is disturbed is a general sense of confusion, where you are unable to decide exactly what to do. This is usually followed by a certain level of anxiety and restlessness which is usually alien to you. Along with this you may also feel your muscles shaking or cramping. The muscle cramps usually take place in the legs. And when the imbalance starts tilting towards being severe, the feeling of lethargy reaches to such an extent that we are not able to rouse ourselves completely from sleep. The minute you start noticing any of these symptoms, it is advisable to immediately consult your physician as you will need to substantially increase your intake of table salt to replenish the depleted sodium amount. And just how much sodium needs to be replaced is something that only your physician will be able to guide you with.