This article explains how we can suffer from sodium deficiency and describes the symptoms of sodium defiency.
Suffering from sodium deficiency is quite rare as this mineral is common in our dietry intake. However, the levels of sodium in the body can become too low as a result of prolonged vomiting and diarrhoea, or during periods of prolonged illness.
Levels of sodium in the body can also become low as a result of dehydration or excessive or persistent sweating, which may occur during very hot weather or affect marathon runners, athletes who participate in triathlons, or people who have certain forms of kidney disease, such as acute kidney failure.
What is sodium?
Sodium, best known as a component of table salt is vital for controlling the amount of water in the body, maintaining the normal pH of blood, transmitting nerve signals, and helping muscular contraction. It is present in all foods in varying degrees, and almost all processed foods also have added salt.
Symptoms of sodium deficiency
Symptoms of sodium deficiency include headaches, nausea, and vomiting, muscle cramps, drowsiness, fainting, fatigue, and possibly coma.
