Salt cravings are generally a craving for sodium, since table salt is rich in this electrolyte. If you regularly indulge salt cravings, your sodium levels may get too high, causing increased blood pressure. On the other hand, severe salt cravings can be a sign of problems with your adrenal glands that can lead to a sudden drop in blood pressure.
Salt and Blood Pressure
The sodium found in salt can have a potent effect on your blood pressure. Your body tries to keep the concentration in your blood within a narrow range. If sodium levels in your blood go up, your body will add more water to your blood to dilute the sodium, causing an increase in blood volume and blood pressure. As a result, frequently indulging salt cravings can cause an increase in blood pressure.
Salt Craving and Addison's Disease
Although the occasional salt craving is normal, severe or constant salt cravings may be a sign of an underlying disorder known as Addison's disease. Addison's disease is a condition caused by your adrenal glands being unable to make enough of the hormones that regulate the levels of different electrolytes in your body, including sodium. One of the consequences of Addison's disease is a sudden drop in blood pressure due to low sodium levels.
Addison's Causes
The damage to the adrenal glands that leads to Addison's disease can be due to multiple causes. Common causes of Addison's disease include autoimmune diseases, massive blood loss, tumors and the use of anticoagulant medications. Some infections, such as tuberculosis, HIV and some fungi may also result in Addison's disease. In addition to the drop in blood pressure, people with Addison's may develop vomiting, diarrhea, unusually dark skin, fatigue and sores inside their mouths.
Diagnosis
If you are concerned that you are eating too much salt, talk to your doctor. Your doctor can measure the amount of sodium in your blood and your blood pressure to determne if you your levels are unusually low or high. If your doctor is concerned about Addison's disease, he may order other tests that measure the concentration of adrenal hormones. Treatment hinges on identifying the cause of the adrenal dysfunction and replacing the missing hormones.
