Sodium (Na) is the main regulator of water balance in the body. Examples of problem solving

DEFINITION

Sodium is the eleventh element of the Periodic Table. Designation - Na from the Latin "natrium". Located in the third period, group IA. Refers to metals. The nuclear charge is 11.

Sodium is one of the most abundant elements on earth. It has been found in the solar atmosphere and in interstellar space. The most important sodium minerals: NaCl (halite), Na 2 SO 4 × 10H 2) (mirabelite), Na 3 AlF 6 (cryolite), Na 2 B 4 O 7 × 10H 2) (borax), etc. The content of sodium salts in hydrosphere (about 1.5×10 16 t).

Sodium compounds enter plant and animal organisms in the latter case mainly in the form of NaCl. In human blood, Na + ions make up 0.32%, in bones - 0.6%, in muscle tissue - 0.6-1.5%.

In the form of a simple substance, sodium is a silvery-white metal (Fig. 1). It is so soft that it can be easily cut with a knife. Due to the easy oxidizability in air, sodium is stored under a layer of kerosene.

Rice. 1. Sodium. Appearance.

Atomic and molecular weight of sodium

DEFINITION

Relative molecular weight of a substance (M r) is a number showing how many times the mass of a given molecule is greater than 1/12 of the mass of a carbon atom, and relative atomic mass of an element(A r) - how many times the average mass of atoms of a chemical element is greater than 1/12 of the mass of a carbon atom.

Since sodium exists in the free state in the form of monatomic Na molecules, the values ​​of its atomic and molecular masses are the same. They are equal to 22.9898.

Isotopes of sodium

Twenty sodium isotopes are known with mass numbers from 18 to 37, of which 23 Na is the most stable, with a half-life of less than a minute.

sodium ions

At the external energy level of the sodium atom, there is one electron, which is valence:

1s 2 2s 2 2p 6 3s 1 .

As a result of chemical interaction, sodium gives up its only valence electron, i.e. is its donor, and turns into a positively charged ion:

Na 0 -1e → Na + .

Molecule and atom of sodium

In the free state, sodium exists in the form of monatomic Na molecules. Here are some properties that characterize the sodium atom and molecule:

Sodium alloys

The most important areas of application of sodium are nuclear power engineering, metallurgy, and the organic synthesis industry. In nuclear power engineering, sodium and its alloy with potassium are used as liquid metal coolants. An alloy of sodium with potassium containing 77.2% (wt.) of cadium is in a liquid state in a wide temperature range, has a high heat transfer coefficient and does not interact with most structural materials either at normal or at elevated temperatures.

Sodium is used as an additive to harden lead alloys.

With mercury, sodium forms a hard alloy - sodium amalgam, which is sometimes used as a milder reducing agent instead of pure metal.

Examples of problem solving

EXAMPLE 1

Exercise Write the reaction equations that can be used to carry out the following transformations:

Na 2 O → NaCl → NaOH → Na.

Answer To obtain chloride of the same metal from sodium oxide, it is necessary to dissolve it in acid:

Na 2 O + 2HCl → 2NaCl + H 2 O.

To obtain sodium hydroxide from the chloride of the same metal, it is necessary to dissolve it in water, however, it should be remembered that hydrolysis does not proceed in this case:

NaCl + H 2 O → NaOH + HCl.

Obtaining sodium from the corresponding hydroxide is possible if the alkali is subjected to electrolysis:

NaOH ↔ Na + + Cl - ;

K(-): Na + + e → Na 0:

A (+): 4OH - - 4e → 2H 2 O + O 2.

The chemical element sodium is in the group of macronutrients that perform a vital function in the human body.

Its main purpose is to maintain the optimal level of water-salt balance in the body.

But in combination with other elements, sodium can bring much more usefulness to the body.

Features of the sodium element: benefits and daily allowance

Together with other micro and macro elements in the group, sodium is necessary to ensure the normal functioning of both individual cells and the entire body. All macronutrients that exist in the human body occupy approximately 0.1-0.9% of the total mass. In addition to controlling the balance of salt and water, the role of sodium is to regulate the functioning of the kidneys and normalize neuromuscular activity. Sodium contributes to the preservation of other minerals in the blood in dissolved form.

The main beneficial properties of sodium:

Starting the work of enzymes of the pancreas and salivary glands;

Active participation in the processes of formation of gastric juice;

Maintaining the acid-base balance at the required optimal level;

Providing a vasodilating effect on the body;

Regulation of the activity of the muscular and nervous systems;

Normalization of blood osmolarity.

The daily requirement for sodium in the body of an adult who is completely healthy and lives in a zone with an average air temperature is 1 gram. If you follow a healthy diet according to all the prescribed rules without including table salt in the menu, the body will be provided with 0.8 g of sodium - almost a full daily norm. If a person exists in conditions of increased importance, with regular power loads and activity, the daily need for an element should be increased to 2-3 grams. For childhood, the optimal indicator is 0.3 g. This is until adolescence.

Foods containing sodium, the benefits of the element for the body

In varying amounts, sodium can be found in most foods, but the body still receives the bulk of the substance from salt - about 80%. The element is absorbed in the stomach, it happens in the small intestine. Thanks to vitamin D, the macronutrient is better absorbed, but oversalted food and protein foods, on the contrary, slow down the process of sodium absorption by the body.

When sodium is consumed in excess of the norm, a negative reaction of the body may occur in the form of accumulation of fluid in the body, the formation of edema, and an increase in pressure. Abuse of sodium leads to a decrease in the reserves of magnesium, calcium and potassium in the body.

The benefits of sodium for the body are obvious - it maintains its healthy state and ensures normal growth. In combination with chlorine, sodium is able to prevent the leakage of fluid from capillaries and blood vessels into adjacent tissues. Sodium is involved in the transport of various substances throughout the body. So, it carries sugar through the cells, transmits nerve signals and impulses, and is involved in muscle contractions. Due to the security of the body with sodium, heat or sunstroke can be avoided.

Due to the fact that sodium is excreted from the human body regularly with sweat, there is always a need for it. Since the human body is not designed in such a way as to independently produce sodium for itself, it is necessary to replenish supplies from the outside. This can be done quite easily with the help of food and supplements to it.

In addition to table salt, 100 g of which contains about 40 g of sodium, the element is contained in such products:

In sea salt;

In high quality soy sauce;

In a variety of salty foods.

It is better to give preference to alternative sea salt, as it does not retain fluid in the body.

Sodium-rich and such everyday foods:

Rye bread;

hard cheese;

chicken eggs;

Beef meat.

A small amount of sodium is found in:

In oysters and crabs;

In seaweed;

In beets;

In a carrot.

There are a number of plants rich in sodium. Among them are dandelion, celery, chicory.

With the consumption of a significant amount of mineral water, you can not only replenish sodium in the body, but also chlorine and calcium.

Side effects from the use of sodium and the harm of the substance

A fairly common problem is the accumulation of sodium in the cells and tissues of the body. In such a situation, sodium displaces other beneficial substances that the body needs for normal functioning with its volumes. This can happen unconsciously, because "caring" food manufacturers have tried to provide most of them with sodium. As a result, a person consumes a daily norm of salt, without thinking that the right amount of sodium has already entered the body. You should refuse table salt to such people:

Having blood diseases;

Suffering from lung problems;

Those who have diseases of the liver and kidneys;

Those who have a weakened cardiovascular system and these organs are prone to frequent diseases.

Excess and lack of sodium: harm to the body

The kidneys are responsible for the optimal balance of sodium in the body. They act as regulators, either retaining the element or releasing it, depending on the incoming amount of sodium in the body. Therefore, with the proper functioning of this organ and the absence of external influences on the body, a surplus or lack of sodium cannot develop. Some unplanned situations can significantly reduce sodium levels. These include:

Vomiting for a long time;

Heavy physical activity in conditions of intense heat;

Increased sweating for a long time;

Severe diarrhea.

An increased sodium content in the body occurs when salt is abused in diseases of diabetes mellitus, neurosis, hypertension. Prone to accumulation of sodium in the body and people with impaired renal excretory function, a predisposition to the rapid formation of edema. The result of an excessive amount of sodium in the body can be symptoms:

Increased excitability;

The appearance of hyperactivity;

Development of impressionability and emotionality;

Manifestation of an allergic reaction;

In certain cases, irresistible thirst, frequent urination and increased unusual sweating may appear.

The following symptoms indicate a lack of sodium in the body:

Decreased appetite;

Loss of taste sensitivity;

Increased formation of gases;

The appearance of spasms of the stomach and digestive tract;

Deterioration of the memory function;

Sometimes convulsions, skin rashes, nausea and vomiting.

When moving or walking, a person may experience difficulties in balancing the trunk, feel dizzy, feel fatigued, and muscle weakness. Severe mood swings, increased tearfulness, and memory problems are also considered characteristic symptoms of sodium deficiency.

About 100 g of sodium is concentrated in the human body. In the bones and cartilage is 30-40% of this mineral. 50% contain interstitial fluids. The remaining 10% are in the cell.

Sodium in the human body maintains the water-salt balance, regulates neuromuscular activity. Thanks to him, all substances in the blood are maintained in a soluble state. Responsible for the delivery of various substances to organs and is involved in muscle contractions.

Sodium is absorbed by the human body almost 100%. It can be absorbed through the lung epithelium and skin. Absorbed with Vitamin K and Vitamin D.

Let us consider in more detail the functions of sodium in the human body.

The role of sodium in the human body

  • when interacting with chlorine, it helps to retain fluid in the blood vessels and prevents it from penetrating into nearby tissues.
  • transports blood sugar to all cells of the organism;
  • takes part in muscle contraction;
  • promotes vasodilation;
  • transports various nutrients through cell membranes, for example, amino acids, glucose, various inorganic and organic anions through cell membranes.
  • transports carbon dioxide;
  • affects the metabolism of proteins in the body;
  • participates in the synthesis of gastric juice;
  • regulates the excretion of various metabolic products in the kidneys;
  • stimulates the production of pancreatic and salivary gland enzymes,


Symptoms of sodium deficiency

Signs of a mild sodium deficiency

  • sudden mood changes;
  • memory impairment;
  • loss of appetite;
  • slowness;
  • dizziness;
  • fast fatiguability;
  • nausea;

Severe symptoms of sodium deficiency

  • violation of coordination of movement;
  • vomit;
  • muscle weakness;
  • convulsions;
  • seizures;
  • coma.

Why does the body lack sodium?

May help lower sodium levels

  • diarrhea;
  • vomit;
  • heart failure;
  • kidney and liver diseases;
  • use of certain medicines;
  • drinking very large amounts of water;
  • drug use;
  • dysfunction of thyroid hormones;
  • intense physical exercise;
  • very hot weather;
  • insufficient intake with food;
  • traumatic brain injury;
  • excess and potassium;
  • prolonged contact with sea water;
  • deficiency, chlorine, vitamin D in the body.

Too much sodium in the body

Excess sodium is also undesirable for the body. The kidneys especially suffer from this, as they have to remove its excess content.

At high doses of sodium, fluid accumulates in the body, which causes swelling in the muscles. It also increases blood pressure, and the heart suffers accordingly. Moreover, sodium displaces from the body such equally useful minerals as potassium, calcium, magnesium.

How much sodium does the body need?

According to a study by the World Health Organization (WHO), the level of sodium consumption in the world is much higher than the biological requirements of a person. Therefore, the recommended daily allowance for adults should be 2 g of sodium per day (5 g of salt).

For athletes and people whose activities are associated with physical activity, this dose can be increased to 3 grams. Children should not consume more than 0.3 g per day.

What foods contain sodium?

The main source of sodium is, of course, table salt. 100 g of salt contains approximately 40 g of sodium. A tablespoon of salt contains about 2 g of this element.

There is a lot of sodium in foods such as sea salt, soy sauce, brine, sauerkraut.

Slightly less of this mineral is found in rye bread, hard cheese, milk, chicken eggs, and beef.

There is a little sodium in seaweed, crabs, carrots, beets, chicory, celery.

Table of sodium content in foods

Meat products

Fish

Vegetables and greens

Cereals and legumes

Dairy

Eggs

nuts

Fruits and berries

Sodium is a fairly affordable mineral - just eat salty foods. But you should not abuse it, everything needs to know the measure.

Microelement sodium: benefits and harms. Foods containing sodium (sources). Deficiency, excess and daily sodium requirement

Sodium belongs to the group of macronutrients, which, together with trace elements, play an extremely important role in the human body. There are more than seventy of them in total. They are necessary for the normal functioning of both a single cell and the whole organism as a whole.

Macronutrients are found in the body in significant quantities, averaging from 0.1 to 0.9% of body weight.

The main purpose of sodium is to maintain the water-salt balance in the cells of the human body, normalize neuromuscular activity and kidney function. In addition, it keeps minerals in the blood in a soluble state.

Benefits of sodium for the body

Sodium is essential for normal growth and health of the body. Sodium has an impact on the body, both alone and in combination with other micro and macro elements. For example, sodium complements chlorine, and together they prevent fluid from leaking from blood vessels into adjacent tissues.

Sodium is involved in the transport of various substances, such as blood sugar, to each cell, generates normal nerve signals and is involved in muscle contraction. It prevents the occurrence of heat or sunstroke. Sodium also has a pronounced vasodilating effect.

Products containing sodium. Sources of sodium

Proved that sodium comes out with sweat, so the body needs it almost constantly. This is especially true for people who lead an active lifestyle, and especially athletes. At the same time, our body is not able to produce sodium, therefore, its supply can be replenished only with the intake of ordinary food and various nutritional supplements.


The most popular and affordable source of sodium is table salt.(sodium chloride). 100 grams of table salt contains 40 grams of sodium, that is, one teaspoon is about 2 grams. Other sources of sodium include sea salt, good quality soy sauce, and salty foods such as pickles, cured meats, sauerkraut, and meat broths. At the same time, experts advise giving preference to purified sea salt, since it does not retain water in the body.

A significant amount of sodium contains (per 100 g): rye bread (0.7 g), hard cheeses (0.6 g), beef meat (0.08 g), chicken eggs (0.14 g), milk ( 0.05 g).

Small amounts of sodium are present in seaweed, oysters, crabs, fresh carrots, and beets. Plants such as chicory, celery, and dandelion also contain the macronutrient sodium.

Sodium can also be obtained by drinking enough mineral water. Together with sodium, you thus replenish the amount of potassium and chlorine.

Deficiency and excess of sodium

The kidneys are responsible for maintaining a balanced sodium content in the body, they either retain or excrete sodium, depending on whether you abuse or lack sodium. Therefore, under normal external conditions and with stable functioning of the kidneys, neither deficiency nor surplus of sodium can occur. But in some cases, such as exercising during a heat wave, profuse sweating for a long time, prolonged vomiting, diarrhea can increase a person's need for more sodium.

Excess sodium can occur when you eat too much salt, with diseases such as diabetes mellitus, hypertension, neurosis. People with impaired renal function and prone to edema are also more likely to accumulate more sodium in the body. The consequence of excess sodium content in the body is increased excitability, susceptibility, hyperactivity. In some cases, excessive thirst, unusual sweating and frequent urination are possible.

With a lack of sodium, symptoms such as loss of appetite, decreased taste sensations occur., stomach cramps and gas. The person may experience difficulty balancing while walking, dizziness, and fatigue. Memory problems, sudden mood swings, tearfulness are also considered symptoms of macronutrient sodium deficiency.

Daily requirement of sodium

The established sodium intake for an adult healthy person living in a normal temperature regime is 1 gram daily. A diet based on the principles of proper nutrition, that is, without the addition of table salt, provides a person with 0.8 g of sodium, as you can see, almost a full norm. With an increase in physical activity (sports, physical labor, outdoor games) in conditions of high humidity, you may have to increase the rate by 2-3 grams. The daily norm of a child and a teenager is no more than 0.3 grams of sodium.

Harm of excess sodium in the body

As we noted above, the main source of sodium in the body is table salt. It is difficult to find a person who would not use this flavoring additive several times a day. Quite often, however, the opposite is true, most people consume salt, and in an amount that seriously exceeds the norm. The skin and subcutaneous tissues, lungs, bones, muscles of a person receive a significant amount of sodium chloride, therefore, at the same time, the content of other important mineral salts, such as salts of potassium, calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, iron, etc., decreases in its tissues. This, naturally leads to disease. If a person is seriously ill with something, then table salt increases the load on the heart, kidneys, and inhibits the movement of blood through the vessels. You need to know: diseases of the blood, lungs, liver, blood vessels, heart, kidneys, first of all, require the complete exclusion of salt from the diet. At the same time, it is necessary to provide the body with the removal of excessive accumulations of sodium chloride from it. This can be facilitated by sour milk, a salt-free diet, which is especially necessary for all forms of inflammation or edema.

The most important functions of sodium in the body

The most important life-supporting function of sodium in the body is to maintain normal osmotic pressure. The point is that for the penetration of various molecules through the cell membrane, it is necessary to regulate the pressure in the intercellular fluid and inside the cell itself. Under the influence of this pressure, the molecules of nutrients penetrate inside, and when the pressure changes, the waste products of the cell come out. Fluctuations in fluid pressure are regulated by sodium ions. Of all the sodium present in the body, about half of this substance is contained in the interstitial fluid. Approximately 10% is accounted for by intracellular contents, and the rest is included in the composition of bone tissue and cartilage.

Sodium is able not only to regulate the movement of water in the body, but also to retain it to prevent dehydration of cells and tissues. That is why, with an excess of this element, puffiness appears. Sodium is involved in the synthesis of the hormones vasopressin, which increases the volume of fluid in the cells and constricts blood vessels. As well as natriuretic peptides - removing excess fluid from the body, while relaxing the vascular walls. Synthesis of the hormone adrenaline is also controlled by sodium.

Another important function of sodium is that it takes part in the formation of tubules in cell membranes, through which substances necessary for it enter the cell. He is also responsible for the penetration of glucose into cells to supply them with energy. The tone of the vascular walls and the excitability of the neuromuscular fibers depend on it.

Without sodium, the production of hydrochloric acid in the stomach will be disrupted, which means all digestion processes. This element activates the production of digestive enzymes, many enzymes - special proteins that are responsible for important chemical reactions in the body (for example, the production of pancreatic enzymes, fatty acids in the liver). The alkaline nature of sodium is important for maintaining the pH balance in the body. Sodium is an essential element for the smooth functioning of the kidneys to perform their excretory function.

Useful and pleasant properties of sodium


Diseases that develop due to fluctuations in blood pressure are directly related to the level of sodium in the body. Since this element is responsible for spasms and relaxation of blood vessels, its deficiency can cause hypotension, and its excess provokes arterial hypertension. The consequence of an imbalance of sodium in the body can be angina pectoris, impaired kidney function, metabolic failure, and digestive problems. Excess sodium can activate the adhesion of red blood cells, increasing the tendency to form blood clots. A prolonged excess of sodium in the blood significantly increases the risk of neuroses, osteoporosis, urolithiasis and diabetes.

The benefits of sodium for the body are directly related to its properties and functions:

  • prevents muscle spasms;
  • regulates the work of blood vessels;
  • prevents overheating of the body by stimulating increased sweating;
  • helps to bind and remove carbon dioxide from tissues;
  • responsible for the digestion of food by activating enzymes and participating in the production of gastric juice;
  • affects the transmission of nerve impulses and the functioning of the brain;
  • helps to keep calcium in soluble form in the blood.

Sodium chloride has found wide application as an antibacterial agent. It is included in toothpastes and mouthwashes. Sodium lauryl sulfate and sodium laureth sulfate are important ingredients in shampoos, shower gels, and other hygiene products that have both surfactant and antimicrobial properties. The composition of soap usually includes compounds of sodium salts and fatty acids - stearic, lauric and palmitic.

Speaking about the benefits of sodium, one cannot help but recall its participation in maintaining the youthfulness of the skin by maintaining its hydration. Hyaluronic acid sodium salt is one of the most popular ingredients in moisturizing and anti-aging cosmetics. Its molecules are small and able to penetrate into the dermis, not only moisturizing the skin by attracting water molecules, but also by stimulating the enzymes responsible for the production of its own hyaluronic acid. Sodium ascorbyl phosphate is a substance with antioxidant properties that can stimulate enzymes responsible for the synthesis of proteins (for example, collagen) and prevent the production of melanin (and hence the appearance of hyperpigmentation).

"Tasty" and "harmless": the right balance of sodium from products


Our body does not produce sodium on its own. The entire amount of this element, without which life is impossible, comes from outside with food. Sodium is so widely distributed in nature that with a regular balanced diet, it is quite enough for the functioning of all organs and systems.

The easiest way to supply your body with sodium is to eat a teaspoon of salt or drink mineral water with sodium chloride (for example, Borjomi - the sodium level is indicated on the label). But traditionally we get sodium from solid foods - bread, cheese, salted fish, meat products, salted vegetables and sour

The champions in terms of sodium content are the inhabitants of ocean and sea waters - mussels, shrimps, lobsters, crabs, sea crayfish. Lots of sodium in seaweed and soy sauce.

Approximate levels of sodium in common foods (mg per 100 g)

Meat and dairy products Fish, seafood Vegetables Fruit
cow's milk 120 Sea crayfish 380 Sauerkraut 800 Bananas 54
Veal 100 mussels 290 Green beans 400 Black currant 34
Pork 80 Flounder 200 Beet 260 apricots 31
Chicken 80 Shrimps 150 Chicory 160 Apples 27
Beef 78 sardines 140 Spinach 85 plums 19
Cottage cheese 30 squids 110 Potato 30 oranges 14
Salted herring 4800 Cornflakes 660
Smoked sausage 2180 Rye bread 620
Sausage p/c 1630 Mayonnaise "Provencal" 510
Pickled olives 1145 Tuna in oil 502
boiled sausage 1050 canned tomatoes 480
Hard cheese 998 Beef stew 440
Pork sausages 962 Loaf of bread 435
Sprats in oil 629 Canned peas 360

Advice! In hot weather, with an intense loss of sodium with sweating, canned fish, for example, tuna, mackerel in oil, will quickly restore its deficiency. Sour-milk products can help balance excess sodium

Some studies have shown that in ethnic groups with a culture of daily consumption of dairy products (at least 600 g per day), arterial hypertension associated with excess sodium in the body develops much less frequently.

Sodium can be obtained from any foods and drinks with nutritional supplements - monosodium glutamate, sodium nitrite, sodium benzoate, etc. All canned foods contain both table salt and sodium supplements.

Getting into the body with food, sodium begins to be partially absorbed already in the stomach, but most of it is absorbed in the small intestine. The excess of the element is excreted mainly in the urine (95% of sodium is excreted by the kidneys) and feces, although with profuse sweating, excretion through the skin can become a significant factor in sodium loss.

Sodium absorption may be impaired by diets that are predominantly high in protein or salty foods. Vitamin K and vitamin D improve the absorption of the element. To maintain the balance of potassium and sodium in the blood, a sufficient amount in the menu of animal products will help. The more products with sodium, the faster magnesium and calcium are excreted from the body.

The good compatibility of sodium with other nutrients is based on the alkaline nature of this element. According to nutritionists, it is desirable to combine foods high in sodium (for example, vegetables, fruits) in the diet with foods that create an acidic environment - high in phosphorus, chlorine, sulfur (for example, fish, eggs).

To preserve sodium in foods, avoid soaking or defrosting for long periods of time before cooking, as sodium easily reacts with water and is lost. Sodium is best preserved when baking or stewing for a short time, since it does not react to high temperatures, and when cooking food goes into broth. When stored in the light in the open state, the products lose sodium, which is oxidized in air.

Better a lot or a little - determining the norm of sodium


Given the ease of obtaining sodium from foods and the possibility of correcting its content in the body with changes in diet, there are different interpretations of the daily intake of the element. So, for example, the American Heart Association considers the minimum required dose for adults to be 500 mg / day, and the maximum is 1500 mg. A Russian study on the prevention of arterial hypertension clearly showed that a daily sodium intake of no more than 52 mmol / day (about 2.5 g) is a guarantee against the development of this disease. Consumption of more than 100-120 mmol/day (approximately 5.5 g) significantly increases the risk of essential arterial hypertension (the average level of sodium intake, for example, in Muscovites is 161 mmol/day).

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), to reduce the risk of strokes and prevent heart disease associated with high blood pressure, it is recommended to consume no more than 2 g of sodium per day (5 g of salt) with food.

Estimated sodium intake (mg/day)

Sodium intake levels are increased for people who perform heavy physical work, for athletes during training, for those who sweat a lot due to hot weather or take diuretics. Additional sodium is needed for food poisoning, accompanied by severe vomiting and diarrhea.

There are also unofficial calculations - for 1 liter of water drunk per day, you can eat 1 g of salt (half a teaspoon). At the same time, you need to be aware of the sodium content in foods, the addition of salt to soups and other prepared meals, and take this amount into account.

The complexity of such accounting becomes the reason that an excess of sodium in modern people is much more common than a deficiency.

Excess sodium in the body develops, most often due to the abuse of salt in the diet, and can also be caused by:

  • violation of the drinking regime (when a person moves and works a lot, but drinks little water);
  • excessive consumption of salty foods;
  • frequent use of chips, crackers and nuts: other snacks that are high in salt;
  • severe vomiting and diarrhea without compensating for lost fluid;
  • long-term use of Cortisone and other hormonal drugs for the treatment of the adrenal cortex;
  • chronic kidney disease, when the functioning of the kidney filters is disrupted and sodium is retained in the body.

The cause of an overdose of sodium is diabetes mellitus and excessive production of adrenal hormones (Cushing's syndrome), a violation of water-salt metabolism.

The danger of an overdose of sodium is that it accelerates the excretion of potassium from the body, and potassium is responsible for supplying the brain with oxygen, for normalizing the heart rhythm and excretory functions of the kidneys. Hypernatremia is manifested by convulsions, increased excitability, strong heartbeat, elevated body temperature, severe edema, since the kidneys cannot cope with the excretion of excess sodium. Body weight increases sharply, blood pressure rises, and the risk of stroke increases significantly.

The Dangers of Sodium Imbalance


Sodium imbalance can lead to quite serious health consequences - cause deviations in the functioning of the nervous and cardiovascular systems, disrupt digestion, cause kidney dysfunction, circulatory disorders, and fluid accumulation in the lungs. Some studies have shown that high sodium in the diet leads to the risk of developing cataracts (due to increased eye pressure), avoiding salt causes a decrease in insulin production and increases the synthesis of the hormone renin, which affects the occurrence of sudden strokes and heart attacks.

Manifestations of sodium imbalance in the body

Sodium deficiency

Too much sodium

Respiratory system Oxygen deficiency, manifested by blueness of the skin Severe dyspnea, respiratory arrest
Digestive organs Nausea and vomiting, intestinal colic, incessant salivation Intense thirst, rough tongue, dry mouth
Heart and blood vessels Decreased blood pressure, tachycardia, tendency to vascular collapse high blood pressure, swelling
Nervous system Headaches, dizziness, general weakness, apathy, muscle twitching, sometimes mental disorders Hyperexcitability, hyperactivity, muscle cramps, restlessness
Leather Cold to the touch, clammy, lacking elasticity, skin rashes, hair loss Redness of the skin, stickiness of the mucous membranes

Symptoms of sodium deficiency are explained by a decrease in its amount in the extracellular fluid. The main danger of a prolonged sodium deficiency is that nitrogen compounds begin to accumulate intensively in the body, which threatens with serious consequences, even death.

Factors that may contribute to the development of sodium deficiency:

  • salt-restricted or no-salt diet;
  • coffee abuse (caffeine is a weak diuretic);
  • abuse of diuretics, enemas (including with water);
  • excess water intake (it can greatly “dilute” sodium);
  • severe sweating, including at high temperatures;
  • severe vomiting and diarrhea;
  • diseases of the liver (cirrhosis), adrenal glands, impaired synthesis of antidiuretic hormone, endocrine disorders;
  • injuries, burns and surgeries (sodium is concentrated in the area of ​​damaged cells).

The use of foods high in potassium also accelerates the excretion of sodium, therefore, dietary adjustments are required.

Advice! In hot weather with heavy sweating, especially on the beach in the hot sun, 0.5 liters of lightly salted water will help to avoid sodium deficiency and prevent heat stroke (you can use mineral chloride without gas - for example, Mirgorodskaya)

The lack of sodium can be compensated for by the body itself for a long time by extracting it from the bone tissue. However, recurring infectious diseases, apathy and fatigue, impaired balance during movement, loss of appetite and taste of food, unexplained weight loss - all these signs may indicate a developing sodium deficiency. If no action is taken, an intensive breakdown of proteins, a violation of osmotic pressure, and an increase in residual nitrogen may begin. In such a situation, even drinking clean water in large quantities can cause death.

With a sharp decrease in the level of sodium in the body, convulsions can develop, and an excess can provoke a loss of orientation in space.

Sodium imbalance is corrected by changing the diet and drinking regimen. If the sodium deficiency is small, you need to drink less water and reconsider the diet in favor of foods high in sodium (for example, seafood, seaweed) to make up for the deficiency of the element in the body. If you have too much sodium, you should first of all limit salt in your diet. In more serious cases, the doctor may recommend in case of sodium deficiency - drugs that promote the release of fluid, or, conversely, with an excess of the element - to cancel drugs that retain sodium in the blood. In severe cases of sodium overload, intravenous administration of a saline-free solution and then, to prevent the risk of hyponatremia, sodium chloride solution may be necessary.

Medicines containing sodium


The influence of sodium on many processes in the body has led to a wide range of drugs that are used in various pathologies. Let's take a look at some of them, especially those that are commonly used.

Sodium chloride (sodium chloride). Apply with severe vomiting, severe diarrhea, profuse diuresis or increased sweating, with significant burns. Available in powders, tablets and ampoules, but most often used for intravenous administration.

Sodium bicarbonate (sodium bicarbonate). It is used for intoxication of the body, infectious diseases, and also as an acid neutralizer (including with increased acidity of the stomach). With acidosis or infections, it is prescribed in tablets, with intoxication - intravenously. With stomatitis or when acids get on the mucous membranes - in the form of a solution for washing.

Sodium borate (borax). Antiseptic for external use, available in the form of ointments, solutions for rinsing.

Sodium sulfate (Glauber's salt). It is used as a laxative: dissolve 15 g for an adult in a glass of water, it will begin to act after 4 hours.

Sodium thiosulfate (sodium sulphate). It is used as a desensitizer and anti-inflammatory agent: for allergies, neuralgia, arthritis - intravenously, for scabies - externally in the form of a solution for lotions.

Sodium nitrite (sodium nitrite). Used as a vasodilator for angina pectoris, spasms of cerebral vessels. Produced in the form of a solution that can be used for injection or inside - 0.1 g 2-3 times a day.

Metamizole sodium. It has an analgesic effect, is used for acute respiratory infections and as an antipyretic. Available in tablets and ampoules.

sodium fluoride. It is widely used in dentistry, because it has the ability to influence the regeneration of tooth tissues and the maturation of tooth enamel, and has an antimicrobial effect. It is used both in injectable and topical form - in solutions, rinses and even as part of a therapeutic toothpaste.

Sodium oxybutyrate. It has a sedative and muscle relaxant effect, in a large dose it can cause a state of sleep, activates metabolic processes in the tissues of the brain and heart. Produced in the form of powders.

Almost all drugs containing sodium have different side effects, so their use must be agreed with the doctor.

How much salt should we consume per day in order not to harm our health? How do you figure out where salt is in store-bought foods and how it's hidden in sodium supplements? What is the hidden threat of sodium to the body in the form of salt? See the video below for answers to these and other questions.