Everyone needs a certain amount of dietary sodium to maintain certain biological processes. However, some people suffer salt sensitivity, a condition with a definition that experts are still debating. However, most researchers agree that salt sensitivity's chief symptom is that it causes an increase in blood pressure and other related symptoms, such as irritability, due to an unusual sensitivity to dietary sodium.
About Salt Sensitivity
Salt sensitivity is a condition characterized by how much your blood pressure changes in response to a decrease in salt intake, according to a February 15, 2001 news release by the National Institutes of Health. An individual who is salt sensitive has to be extremely mindful of his salt intake, even if he does not suffer from high blood pressure. According to the NIH news release, salt sensitivity can lead to an increased risk of death, cardiovascular problems and heart attack. High blood pressure is not always correlated with salt sensitivity, because you can have normal blood pressure levels and still be sensitive to salt. Some of the additional symptoms of salt sensitivity include fluid retention, feelings of irritability and anxiety and a decreased ability to handle stress.
Causes of Irritability
You can often identify the causes of feelings of irritation. Sometimes you may be bothered by a neighbor playing loud music or very hot or cold weather conditions. However, you can also experience feelings of irritability without an easily identifiable cause. While irritability may be a sign of salt sensitivity, other factors can also play a role. According to Medline Plus, a National Institutes of Health information website, irritability can be caused by a number of physical and mental conditions, including diabetes, cancer, drug and alcohol withdrawal, milk intolerance, nutritional deficiencies, psychiatric disturbances and sleep disorders.
Evidence
A number of studies attest to the fact that salt sensitivity can cause feelings of irritability and anxiety, which can also contribute to an increase in negative symptoms like high blood pressure. A study published in the January 2006 issue of the journal, "Clinical and Experimental Hypertension," showed that symptoms of anxiety and irritability were closely correlated with salt sensitivity in healthy male study participants. Additionally, this study showed that feelings of irritability and anxiety are also closely related to increased blood pressure levels. A related study, published in the August 1999 issue of the German medical journal, "Psychotherapie, Psychosomatik, Medizinische Psychologie," found that elevated levels of anxiety and irritability and increased blood pressure due to mental stress are correlated with the development of hypertension due to salt sensitivity.
Considerations
Never attempt to self-diagnose your condition. If you experience increased or persistent feelings of irritability with no easily identifiable cause, consult your doctor. While salt sensitivity may be a cause of your symptoms, it is also important to rule out other possible medical factors.
References
- National Institutes of Health News Release: Study Shows New Link Between Salt Sensitivity and Risk of Death
- Medline Plus: Irritability
- "Clinical and Experimental Hypertension"; Salt Sensitivity, Anxiety, and Irritability Predict Blood Pressure Increase over Five Years in Healthy Males; H.C. Deter, et al.; January 2006
- "Psychotherapie · Psychosomatik · Medizinische Psychologie"; Emotional Irritability and Anxiety in Salt-Sensitive Persons at Risk for Essential Hypertension; K. Buchholz, et al.; August 1999
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