More common than you think.

Blocking sodium is common in

  • general anesthesia
  • regional anesthesia
  • local nerve anesthesia, lidocane

Low sodium levels can be seen in

  • tingling of extremities.
  • loss of nerve function.
  • Low blood pressure
  • dizziness
  • blacking out

Toxins that block sodium

  • shell fish paralysis <saxitoxin, others>, puffer fish
  • scorpion bites
  • alcohol
  • ketone sugar (fruit)
  • fructans (grains)

Drugs that block sodium:

Sodium - Greek word, Natrium - abbreviation, Na

Symptoms of low sodium:

  • inability to think
  • headaches
  • dehydration
  • dry skin
  • eczema
  • dry mouth,
  • skin infections
  • mucus buildup
  • frequent urination
  • poor balance
  • nausea
  • seizures
  • confusion
  • heart failure
  • liver failure
  • kidney failure
  • blood disorders, anemia
  • thick / dense blood, poor circulation
  • coma
  • low blood sodium <Hyponatremia> 

Blood tests for sodium are important

  • often in a kidney section for 'electrolytes'
  • needs to be in range
  • avoid too much
  • avoid too little

Oral salt

  • Salt is sodium-chloride (NaCl)
  • Sodium, Greek word, Natrium (Na)
  • WHO - World Health Organization, suggests 2 grams NaCl / day
  • One teaspoon salt is 2.3 grams, spread out, not at one time
  • Sea salt is loaded with contaminents, especially MSG, avoid
  • Table salt is a better choice
  • anti-caking agents can be good or bad, see salt page

Information about IV saline in hospitals:

  • Normal Saline (NS) is 0.9% salt water
  • 250 ml NS contains 2.25 grams NaCl
  • 500 ml NS contains 4.5 grams NaCl
  • 1,000 ml NS contains 9 grams NaCl
  • IV saline is infused slowly
  • not rapid, spread out

 

 

 

 

I'm Bryon

The Crazy guy.