sodium depletion

Sodium deficiency is a condition where the body has insufficient sodium or cannot utilize it properly. Sodium, along with chlorine and bicarbonate, helps maintain the balance of ions in body fluids and tissues. It is primarily obtained from table salt and plays a crucial role in holding water within tissues. A lack of sodium can disrupt the balance of tissue-water and acid-base, impacting nutritional status.1

This deficiency can occur due to excessive sweating, leading to dehydration and symptoms like weakness, apathy, nausea, and muscle cramps. The hormone aldosterone helps regulate sodium and water balance in the body. While sodium deficiency is rare due to the body's conservation mechanisms, it can happen with prolonged heavy sweating, vomiting, diarrhea, or kidney disease. Symptoms of low blood sodium (hyponatremia) include muscle cramps, nausea, dizziness, weakness, and in severe cases, shock and coma.12