Elders in our community frequently struggle with low salt levels in their bodies. They may experience salt shortage issues for a number of causes, such as health issues or other diseases. Sodium is an essential mineral for the body because it keeps the body’s water balance at its ideal level. So they must maintain healthy amounts of salt in their bodies for a healthy life.
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Key Points
- Sodium is a vital electrolyte for our body ranging between 135 to 145 milliequivalents per liter and is crucial to maintaining the body’s water balance.
- Low sodium levels can cause decreased energy levels, headache, nausea, restlessness, and fatigue.
- Low salt levels in the elderly is common due to a number of factors, including health problems, kidney issues, or other such diseases.
- Sodium levels can be increased naturally by consuming high-sodium foods and reducing water intake.
- Since the elderly are more prone to health issues, seeking professional medical advice is recommended before choosing any of the treatment options.
In this blog, you will learn the causes, symptoms of low sodium levels in elderly, and methods for how to increase sodium levels in the elderly naturally.
What does it mean to have a low sodium level?
Sodium is an essential electrolyte for our bodies and is the key to preserving the body’s water equilibrium. Additionally, sodium supports healthy neuron activity, stable blood pressure, and effective muscular performance.
Elders must maintain healthy levels of sodium in their bodies for all these reasons. When there is an imbalance of sodium levels in the body, a medical condition results known as hyponatremia.
Hyponatremia is a condition when your blood does not have enough sodium. It happens when sodium and water are out of equilibrium. In other words, your blood either has too much water or not enough sodium.
According to studies, the normal range for your sodium level is 135 to 145 milliequivalents per liter. When your sodium level falls below 135 mEq/L, you develop hyponatremia.
What are the Symptoms of Low Sodium Levels in the Elderly?
The symptoms of low sodium levels in the elderly are given below.
- Nausea with vomiting
- Restlessness
- Loss of energy
- Fatigue
- Confusion
- Seizures
- Headache
- Muscle cramps or weakness
- Irritability
Why do Sodium Levels Drop in the Elderly?
Let’s examine the factors that may contribute to low sodium levels in elderly persons.
- Excessive water consumption
- Hormone problems such as hypothyroidism and Addison’s disease
- Excessive water consumption may occur after vigorous activity
- Diarrhea, vomiting, or nausea brought on by an illness
- Cardiopulmonary failure
- Kidney disease
How to Increase Sodium Levels in Elderly People?
The measures listed below should be used to improve salt levels in older people organically.
1- Reducing water intake can help in increasing sodium levels
Reduced water intake is the quickest way to increase salt levels in the body. An imbalance between the body’s sodium and water levels results in hyponatremia. Thus, consuming less water can help the body retain more salt.
Taking excessive amounts of diuretics is one of the main causes of the body’s lack of sodium. It is advised to take these diuretics sparingly and to ask a doctor about possible substitutes that won’t have a negative impact on salt levels.
2- Taking high-sodium foods may help you to manage their level
Increasing your salt consumption can help you control or elevate your body’s sodium levels. Consuming salt in food, which is a rich source of sodium, can help you keep a healthy balance. Here are seven examples of meals with surprisingly high salt content:
I- Cereal
Although many packaged kinds of cereal contain 180–300 mg of salt per serving, the majority of consumers think sugar is the most important component in them. Instead of commercial cereal, try homemade granola or traditional oatmeal with fresh fruit.
II- Pre-made cakes
The majority of seniors adore sweets, but if you want to satisfy your sweet tooth, homemade desserts are better in terms of sodium content. Sodium is routinely used as a preservative in grocery store cakes to increase their shelf life. Boxed cake mixes also have a lot of salt in them.
III- Veggie burgers
A vegetarian burger is frequently perceived by elders as a healthy choice. A single patty, however, may include between 400 and 500 mg of salt. A single 4-ounce burger contains one-third of the daily recommended salt intake.
IV- Pancakes
Shockingly high amounts of salt are present in packaged and pourable mixes like 400-700mg for 3 medium pancakes. As this blog’s theme suggests, homemade food is both tastier as well as healthier.
V- Certain chicken breasts
Some chicken breasts, especially those that are frozen, are injected with a salt solution to maintain the moisture in the meat and improve the flavor. So, you can eat them to increase your sodium content.
3- High sodium drinks for elderly people
Beverages that have a high salt content are vegetable juices. The vegetable juice cocktail includes 887 mg of salt per 8-ounce drink compared to regular tomato juice’s 878 milligrams.
Low-sodium varieties won’t significantly increase the amount of sodium in your diet because each serving only has a maximum of 9 milligrams. These natural juices are among the healthier high-sodium beverages.
Bottom Line
Untreated sodium insufficiency poses a major risk to elders’ health and can have disastrous long-term consequences. While most people only have moderate symptoms, the severity of the problem can also vary greatly from person to person.
This health problem, which is increasingly common in our older population, may be caused by a number of circumstances. But the above-mentioned list for sodium deficit may help you to fulfill your body’s needs.
However, please consult a medical specialist before opting for any of the above-mentioned treatment methods. Book an appointment via Marham with the best nephrologist for managing your sodium levels.
FAQs
1- Does drinking salt water increase sodium levels?
Drinking salt water can increase your sodium level but if you consume too much salty liquid, whether when swimming in the ocean or as part of a fad diet, it could seriously harm your health as our body is not designed to tolerate large amounts of sodium.
2- Which fruit is high in sodium?
3- What can you take for low sodium?
You can take high-sodium intravenous (IV) fluids and/or diuretics to raise your blood sodium levels for its low levels. Also, you may take loop diuretics, sometimes referred to as “water pills,” which increase blood salt levels by causing you to urinate more water than usual.
