Most Americans eat more salt than they need, so deficiencies are rare, but they can be serious and cause a variety of health complications, some of which may mimic arthritis symptoms. However, arthritis is a general term used to describe over 100 conditions, each having a different cause and set of symptoms. If you are concerned about any symptoms you may be experiencing or if you think you are not getting enough salt, talk to your physician, who can run tests and confirm a diagnosis.
Types of Arthritis
There are many forms of arthritis and various diseases that fall under the arthritis category. This includes osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, gout, fibromyalgia, psoriasis, Lyme disease and many syndromes. The first step in treatment is to have the type of arthritis you have properly diagnosed.
The most common form is osteoarthritis, which is diagnosed when there is a breakdown of cartilage in the joints, which causes bones to rub together. The exact cause of osteoarthritis is not well understood, says the Arthritis Foundation, but age, being overweight, having a family history, injuries to the joints and muscle weakness all play a role.
Rheumatoid arthritis is another common form and this type is an autoimmune condition where the body attacks and destroys the joints. The cause of rheumatoid arthritis is not well understood either, but there may be a genetic component or it may be triggered by a virus or bacteria. Both types can cause pain, weakness, swelling, stiffness, fatigue and many other symptoms.
Salt Deficiency
Your body needs some salt to survive and function properly, and if your levels get too low, which is called hyponatremia, you can develop symptoms and health problems. This imbalance can occur when your body has too much water but your salt intake does not go up, or if you lose both water and salt, but lose salt at a greater rate. A low level of salt can be due to burns, congestive heart failure, diarrhea, kidney or liver disease, the syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone secretion, sweating or vomiting, notes MedlinePlus. Hyponatremia can also be a side effect of some medications.
Hyponatremia Symptoms
While a low level of salt does not actually cause arthritis, it can create symptoms that may mimic arthritis symptoms. In most cases, hyponatremia does not cause any symptoms and when symptoms do occur, they are so general that they may not be automatically connected with a low sodium level, according to the American Academy of Family Physicians. Common symptoms include weakness, pain and fatigue, all of which are common arthritis symptoms. Other symptoms of a low sodium level are nausea, vomiting, irregular heart rate and nerve damage. In severe cases, hyponatremia can be fatal.
Treatment
Treatment of low sodium levels depends on how low your levels are and the underlying cause. In minor cases, restricting fluid intake or adjusting your dose of any diuretics you may be taking can be enough. Administering a sodium and water mix through an IV, medication or hormone therapy may be required in more severe cases, notes MayoClinic.com. Controlling any underlying conditions is a crucial step to fully manage low sodium levels.
