Various Causes of Low Sodium Levels in Your Body

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So far, maybe what you often hear is "don't consume too much food containing sodium 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 sodium levels in the blood be low?

The function of sodium in the body

Sodium is a mineral and also an electrolyte needed for normal body function. 85% of sodium in the body is found in blood and lymph fluid. 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 sodium level in the body is controlled by the hormone aldesterone. This hormone will tell the kidneys when to excrete sodium through urine and when to hold sodium in the body. Apart from passing urine, a small amount of sodium also gets out of the body through sweat. This is the body's way of maintaining sodium balance in the body.

Sodium can enter the body through the food you eat, such as foods containing 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

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

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

This low level of sodium in the blood can occur due to various factors, such as:

Changes in hormones in the body. Addison's disease can cause insufficiency of the adrenal glands in the body. So that this can affect the adrenal gland in producing hormones that help maintain the balance of sodium, potassium, and fluids in the body. Low thyroid hormone levels can also cause sodium levels to be low in the body.
Drink too much water. This makes the body become excess fluid, so that sodium levels become low in the blood.
Dehydration. The opposite of excess fluid, 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 (sodium levels are also low).
Vomiting or severe diarrhea. Vomiting or diarrhea can cause you to lose a lot of fluid and electrolytes in the body, so that sodium levels become low in the blood.
Heart, kidney and liver problems. Heart problems (such as congestive heart failure), kidney failure, or liver disease can affect kidney and liver work. This problem can cause a buildup of fluid in the body, which can then result in low blood sodium levels.
Syndrome of inappropriate anti-diuretic hormone (SIADH). In this condition, antidiuretic hormones are produced in high levels by the body. This causes the body to hold more water in the body instead of removing it through urine. So that your body can experience excess fluid and then sodium levels become low.
Diabetes insipidus. Diabetes insipidus can cause the body to be unable to produce enough antidiuretic hormones. As a result, the body expends more fluid through urine, then the body lacks fluids and the level of sodium in the blood becomes low.
Certain drugs. Some drugs, such as diuretics, antidepressants, and pain medications can cause you to urinate more or sweat more. So, increasing your risk for experiencing fluid deficiency and hyponatremia.