{"id":14473,"date":"2020-03-30T04:15:28","date_gmt":"2020-03-30T04:15:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/simplyhealth.today\/?p=14473"},"modified":"2021-05-06T18:44:24","modified_gmt":"2021-05-06T18:44:24","slug":"14-common-causes-of-low-sodium-levels","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/simplyhealth.today\/14-common-causes-of-low-sodium-levels\/","title":{"rendered":"14 Common Causes of Low Sodium Levels"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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When a person has low sodium levels, it is called hyponatremia. Most of the time, these low levels of sodium will be discovered through a laboratory test of the blood. The main issue in many cases is there is too much water in the blood. This dilutes the value of Na. When too much water moves into the cells it can cause the cells to swell. The swelling will cause the biggest problems. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Some of the problems that might occur as a result of this swelling are changes in your mental status. These changes may result in seizures and, in more serious cases, a coma. Multiple diseases can cause low sodium levels. With help from a medical professional, most people will fully recover from hyponatremia. This can become a serious health issue, which is why getting medical help is important. Here are 14 common causes of low sodium levels. 
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1. Too Much Water<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

If you have read anything about how much water you should drink, you likely know that the recommended amount is often eight glasses per day. However, medical professionals also agree that it does not need to be this exact amount of water per day to remain healthy. Other factors come into play when it comes to the amount of water <\/a>that you should be drinking. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Your activity levels, as well as the environment that you are in, also play a role in how much water you should be consuming. Drinking too much water can have negative side effects. When you drink too much water, it can remove some essential nutrients from the body through increased urination. One of the main causes of low sodium levels in the blood is too much water. Too much water can water the blood down, which may result in low sodium levels when the blood is tested. 
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2. Diet<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

When it comes to a healthy diet, following the food pyramid that you learned in elementary school can be very helpful. Most of what you should be eating are fruits and vegetables. Fruits and vegetables are full of vitamins<\/a>, minerals, and other nutrients that your body needs to survive. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The environment that you live in, as well as your genetics, also play a role in the type of diet that you should be following. Some people need a diet that has higher protein levels, and others might need to follow a diet that offers more healthy fats. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you have low sodium levels, you might not be getting enough sodium in your diet. Many people associate sodium with high blood pressure. While too much sodium can cause high blood pressure, too little sodium can affect your health as well. It is important to eat a well-rounded diet to ensure you are getting the proper amounts of all the nutrients your body needs. 
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3. Excessive Exercise<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Just as you have heard that you should drink plenty of water and eat a healthy diet, exercising is important for your overall health as well. It is recommended that you devote at least a few hours each week to some form of exercise. This will help to keep your mind and body healthy and working properly. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, just as too little exercise <\/a>can cause certain health issues, too much exercise can cause problems as well. If you push your exercise too far, you risk injuring your muscles. You might also put too much strain on your heart, which could cause a heart attack. Also, if you exercise too hard, you will sweat more. When you sweat, more it can cause your body to lose some of the nutrients that it needs, including sodium. It is important to make sure that you are replacing those nutrients after you exercise to avoid low sodium levels.\u00a0
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4. Food Processing<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

When you are eating a healthy diet that is full of vegetables and fruits, the chances are that you think you are getting enough of all of the nutrients that your body needs to function. However, the current ways that our foods are being processed along with the overuse of pesticides can cause many of the foods that we are eating to not have as many nutrients in them as they did in the past. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since the fruits and vegetables<\/a>, as well as other items coming from the grocery store, do not have as many nutrients, you might need to eat more of them or use supplements to get the nutrients that you need. Sodium is found in high levels in many processed foods. However, overeating these items can cause an increase in sodium and a decrease in other important nutrients. It is important to find balance in what you are eating to keep all of your nutrients at optimum levels.\u00a0
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5. Malabsorption<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

When it comes down to having low levels of sodium and other nutrients in the body, it is likely caused by some other type of health issue. Some people simply do not absorb these nutrients properly. If you are suffering from a health condition that affects your digestive system, there is a chance that your body is not absorbing the nutrients that you are taking in. If you are diagnosed with an illness that affects your digestive tract, there is a good chance that you will also have low sodium <\/a>levels. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The reason for this is because these diseases often will expel any nutrients that you do take in. It is important to discuss dietary options with your doctor so that you can keep your levels of nutrients up. Your doctor might also prescribe medication that can help you absorb nutrients properly to help keep your levels where they need to be. 
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6. Diarrhea<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Prolonged diarrhea <\/a>might be one of the reasons that you are experiencing low sodium levels. Regular bowel movements are not the same as diarrhea. People who suffer from diarrhea will experience stools that are loose and watery. These occur quite often, and most of the time, everything they are eating will be expelled through their bowels. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

When you have diarrhea, you tend to lose everything that is in your stomach, along with a lot of the water that you have consumed throughout the day. When you have diarrhea for long periods, there is a good chance that you will develop low sodium levels along with other nutritional deficiencies. If you are suffering from diarrhea, your body is not getting the nutrients that it needs to operate efficiently. It is important to talk to your doctor if you are experiencing diarrhea for more than two weeks. 
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7. Vomiting<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Most of the time, a person will become ill and possibly vomit for a day or so. However, some health issues might cause a person to vomit for several days in a row. If you are experiencing prolonged vomiting, there is likely an underlying health issue that is the cause. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Pregnant women will often have long periods of nausea and vomiting<\/a>. These bouts of nausea and vomiting often happen during the first trimester of the pregnancy. Like diarrhea, when you vomit, you are losing almost everything that you have eaten. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

When you are not able to keep down any of the nutrients that you are trying to supply your body with, it can lead to low levels of sodium. Other nutrients are often depleted during this time as well. If you have been vomiting for more than two or three days, it is important to go to the doctor to determine the underlying cause. 
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8. Dehydration<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Dehydration <\/a>occurs when your body is not getting enough water. Our bodies need water to survive. There are many reasons a person might become dehydrated. Some people simply do not take in enough fluids each day. If you are suffering from a gastrointestinal disease that is causing you to vomit or have severe diarrhea, you might become dehydrated as a result. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is important to make sure that you are drinking enough water each day to keep your body hydrated. Also, if you are exercising and sweating a lot, it is important to make sure that you replace the nutrients your body loses after a good workout. If you start to feel dizzy, nauseous and are struggling to keep things down, you might be dehydrated. Try sipping some water for short amounts of time. If you are still feeling these symptoms, you might need to go to the doctor for an IV of fluids. 
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9. Heart Disease<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The heart is one of the most important organs of the body. It is your heart that keeps the blood flowing throughout your entire body. If your heart is not healthy, it can cause many health issues. People who suffer from any type of heart disease, there is a chance that you also will have low sodium levels. Sodium is an important nutrient when it comes to the health of your heart. You need this nutrient in your blood to help keep it healthy. Certain heart conditions might cause extra nutrients to be drawn from the blood. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

When this occurs, you might notice that you cannot do some of the normal activities that you once were able to complete. If you have any type of chest pain, low energy, numbness in the extremities, headaches<\/a>, or similar symptoms, it is important to seek medical attention as there might be something wrong with your heart.\u00a0
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10. Medications<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

There are some types of medications that are prescribed to help with different illnesses. While these medications <\/a>might help with one issue, some of the medications might cause other health issues to occur, such as low sodium levels. One type of medication that might cause you to have lower sodium levels is diuretics. People who suffer from kidney disease are often prescribed diuretics. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

These medications are designed to help rid the body of toxins as the kidneys are not properly functioning. When taking a diuretic, you will urinate more as the medicine is flushing out the body. This excessive urination may cause you to lose important nutrients along with the toxins they are designed to flush out. If you are taking diuretics, it is important to make sure that you talk to your doctor about possible supplements that you need to take to keep your nutrient levels in balance. 
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11. Cirrhosis<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Cirrhosis <\/a>is a disease that causes scarring in the liver. This disease is often associated with people who drink alcohol excessively. Those who abuse alcohol are not the only ones who might develop cirrhosis of the liver as this disease can affect anyone. The liver is an important part of the body as it is responsible for removing toxins from the blood. It also produces bile, which is used to break down foods. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

When the liver is not functioning the way that it should, it can cause many health issues. People who have been diagnosed with cirrhosis will often have low sodium levels. They might also have low potassium and other nutrient levels. Each of the organs plays an important role when it comes to our overall health. If you suffer from any type of illness that affects the liver, you might notice low nutrient levels as well. 
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12. Adrenal Gland Disease<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The adrenal glands are located near the back of the abdomen. These two glands are right above the kidneys. They are responsible for making a number of hormones that are vital for maintaining normal body functions. If the adrenal glands are not functioning properly, it can lead to a host of health issues. Adrenal gland<\/a> disease occurs when these glands are infected and do not produce hormones in the way that they should. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

People who suffer from adrenal gland disease will often have low sodium levels as the body is not metabolizing nutrients in the way that it should. If you are diagnosed with adrenal gland disease, there is a chance that you will also have low nutrient levels. Your doctor will be able to help you come up with a diet and nutrition plan to help keep your nutrient levels optimized. Supplements are often necessary to ensure you get the nutrients your body needs. 
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13. Hot Climates and Profuse Sweating<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

If you live in a warmer climate, there is a higher chance that you might suffer from low sodium levels. The reason for this is that when you are outside in warmer climates, you tend to sweat more. When you sweat, you lose sodium through your sweat. Some people who sweat profusely may even notice white flakes on their skin when they are sweating. This occurs as sodium <\/a>is leaving the body. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you go for a run or participate in any type of intense exercise that causes you to sweat profusely, it is important to make sure that you are staying hydrated. Replacing the electrolytes in your body after sweating or being out in hot and humid weather is very important. If you fail to replace these electrolytes, you run the risk of becoming dehydrated, which can cause even more health issues. Profuse sweating and hot temperatures are common causes of low sodium levels. 
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14. Burns<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Sodium is found mostly in body fluids located outside of the cells. It is an electrolyte <\/a>and is important for maintaining blood pressure. When sodium found in the fluids outside of the cells goes below normal levels, water will move into the cells to help balance out the levels. If a person gets a burn on a large part of their body, it can cause blood to flow out of the body or towards the burn to help with the healing. When this occurs, you might lose sodium. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

This can cause healing times for burns to take even longer. If you suffer from a severe burn, it is important to make sure that you get proper treatment for the burn. If your sodium levels are low as a result of a burn, your doctor might prescribe a supplement to help keep your nutrients at appropriate levels. Ointments may also be used to help speed up the healing process. 
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