The cause of low sodium levels in your body

So far, maybe what you have often heard is "don't eat too much sodium-containing food because it can cause high blood pressure". However, it turns out that low sodium levels in the body are also not good for your health. This can cause you to experience fatigue, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, muscle cramps, muscle spasms, and confusion. Then, how can the sodium level in the blood be low?

The function of sodium in the body

Sodium is a mineral as well as an electrolyte needed for normal body functions. As much as 85% of sodium in the body is found in the blood and lymph fluids. This mineral helps in maintaining fluid and electrolyte balance in the body. Sodium also plays a role in the work of muscles and nerves. And, plays a role in maintaining blood pressure.

The level of sodium in the body is controlled by the hormone aldesterone. This hormone will tell the kidneys when to excrete sodium through urine and when to retain sodium in the body. Apart from urine, a small amount of sodium also leaves the body through sweat. This is the body's way of maintaining sodium balance in the body.

Sodium can enter the body through the foods you eat, such as foods that contain table salt, preservatives, baking soda, and sodium in other forms. In addition, various medicines also contain sodium, such as laxatives, aspirin, toothpaste, and others.

Causes of low sodium levels in the body

Although sodium levels in the blood are regulated by the hormone aldesterone, sodium levels in the blood can also be low. This is called hyponatremia. Low sodium levels can occur when the fluids and sodium in the body are not balanced, either because there is too much fluid in the body or because the sodium level in the body is not enough.

You need to know, normal sodium levels in the body are between 135-145 milliequivalents per liter (mEq / L). The blood sodium level is said to be low or you have hyponatremia if the blood sodium level is below 135 mEq / L.

Low levels of sodium in the blood can occur due to various factors, such as:

Hormonal changes in the body. Addison's disease can cause insufficiency of the adrenal glands in the body. So that this can affect the adrenal glands in producing hormones that help in maintaining the balance of sodium, potassium and fluids in the body. Low thyroid hormone levels can also cause low sodium levels in the body.
Drink too much water. This makes the body become excess fluid, so that sodium levels become low in the blood.
Dehydration. As opposed to excess fluids, lack of fluids in the body or dehydration can also cause low sodium levels. When dehydrated, the body loses a lot of fluids and electrolytes (low sodium levels too).
Severe vomiting or diarrhea. Vomiting or diarrhea can cause you to lose a lot of fluids and electrolytes in the body, which can lead to low sodium levels in the blood.
Heart, kidney and liver problems. Heart problems (such as congestive heart failure), kidney failure, or liver disease can affect how the kidneys and liver work. This problem can cause fluid buildup in the body, which in turn can result in low sodium levels in the blood.
Syndrome of inappropriate anti-diuretic hormone (SIADH). In this condition, antidiuretic hormone is produced in high levels by the body. This causes the body to retain more water in the body instead of excreting it through urine. So that your body can experience excess fluids and then low sodium levels.
Diabetes insipidus. Diabetes insipidus can cause the body to be unable to produce enough antidiuretic hormone. As a result, the body excretes more fluids through urine, then the body lacks fluids and low levels of sodium in the blood.
Certain drugs. Some medications, such as diuretics, antidepressants, and pain medications, can cause you to urinate more often or sweat more. Thus, increasing your risk for experiencing fluid deficiency and hyponatremia.