Sodium is an important mineral because it functions as an electrolyte. This means that it has an electrical charge when it is dissolved in blood or other liquids in the body. Changes in electrolyte levels affect cells because they use electrolytes...
Despite the popularity of high-sodium foods, it may be possible for your body to get too little sodium. Your body requires some of this element, and although people commonly consume too much of it, certain conditions may cause your blood sodium...
The body needs some sodium to remain healthy. Sodium must be present for the heart, nerves and muscles to function properly. It plays a role in digestion and helps the body retain adequate levels of water. However, if the level of sodium gets too...
Sodium plays a vital role in maintaining the body's functioning. Sodium helps maintain blood pressure, supports the nerves and muscles and regulates fluid balance within the body. When sodium levels drop, excess water enters the cells causing them...
Sodium in the blood normally stays within a narrow range, between 135 and 145 milliequivalents per liter, or mEq/L, MayoClinic.com reports. Sodium, an essential mineral, helps maintain blood pressure and aids in normal muscle and nerve function,...
High sodium diets are more often linked to high blood pressure than those low in this mineral. While sodium is important to maintaining blood pressure, low levels don't cause a rise in blood pressure. Instead, you may suffer other complications...
While excess sodium in your diet can lead to harmful effects, too little sodium can be dangerous as well. This is because your body uses sodium to perform a variety of functions, ranging from maintaining your fluid levels to keeping your heart...
Sodium, or salt, in the bloodstream is important in maintaining the proper amount of fluid in the blood vessels, and is important in maintaining a healthy electrolyte balance in the body, states Medline Plus. Low sodium levels, or hyponatremia,...
Sodium is present in many foods and also is widely available in the form of sodium chloride or table salt. Sodium levels in your bloodstream play a part in causing or preventing seizures. Consult your doctor for advice regarding seizure control...
Sodium is an electrolyte the body needs to help regulate blood pressure and ensure muscle and nerve cells work properly. Normal blood sodium levels fall between 135 and 145 mEq/L. Conditions such as overhydration, burns, diarrhea and vomiting may...
Hyperglycemia is one of the hallmark characteristics of diabetes mellitus, a disease affecting roughly 25 million Americans, according to the National Diabetes Information Clearinghouse. Diabetes causes many adverse effects on health, including...
Seizures, or convulsions, are the physical manifestations of abnormal electrical activity within the brain. Neurons, the cells that make up the brain and the nervous system, communicate with each other through electrical signals. When these...
The adrenal glands are endocrine glands located above each kidney. The glands are responsible for producing the hormones aldosterone and cortisol, which have many important functions in the body. Adrenal insufficiency is a condition that occurs...
Bladder leakage in females, medically known as urinary incontinence, refers to a common problem in which urine is spontaneously leaked. According to the Mayo Clinic, urine may be leaked when you cough or sneeze. In some instances, you may have the...
Low levels of sodium in the body is a condition known as hyponatremia. According to the Mayo Clinic, it is a condition that is very common among elderly persons. The condition can be caused by something as simple as drinking too much water, or by...
Sodium has a variety of uses. It assists in blood pressure regulation, fluid volume maintenance, nerve conduction and muscle contraction. Sodium is added to foods as a flavor enhancer and is used as a preservative. The recommended dietary sodium...
For many people, following a low sodium diet is necessary to maintain health. And although it's important to keep your sodium levels within a healthy range, it can be dangerous if they drop too low. If you are diagnosed with low sodium, your...
Diabetes mellitus, hypothyroidism, hypopituitarism and Addison's disease are all hormonal diseases that involve low levels of certain hormones. These diseases could be caused by cancer, infection or autoimmune responses by the body. Hormones are...
Epitol, also known as carbamazepine, is a drug used to treat certain types of epilepsy, and for a condition called trigeminal neuralgia, which causes excruciating pain in the jaw. According to experts at Drugs.com, some doctors also use it to...
Many people experience natural vision changes, requiring an update in an eyeglass or contact lens prescription every year or two. In other instances, blurred vision may result from eye diseases such as macular degeneration or diabetic retinopathy,...
Running increases muscle activity and metabolism. According to the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons, during exercise the body releases 70 to 90 percent of the energy produced as heat. Perspiration cools the body and results in a loss of...
High-protein diets have been used to improve health for more than 2,000 years, according to Dr. Margo Denke of the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas, whether to improve athletic performance or promote weight loss. Consuming...
Ascites is a condition characterized by fluid accumulation in the space between the internal organs and the wall of the abdomen, called the peritoneum or peritoneal cavity. Symptoms include a distended abdomen, difficulty breathing and a feeling...
Changes in the way your body processes water can affect your balance of fluids and electrolytes as you age. Taking diuretics, pain medication, antidepressants or other prescription drugs may also alter your fluid balance. Symptoms of low sodium...
Sodium is a mineral that helps you maintain normal fluid balance. Many foods contain sodium, especially processed foods. The recommended daily intake of sodium is 2,300 mg per day for ages 2 years and older, and less than 1,500 mg per day for...
Water weight loss supplements, also referred to as diuretics, may help to reduce water retention, or water weight. In the United States, 66 percent of adults are either obese or overweight, according to MedlinePlus. Water weight may be a factor in...
Saunas and sauna suits are a dangerous yet popular way people try to lose weight fast. This process serves to dehydrate the body and purge water weight. Unfortunately, minimizing your body's water content serves no long-term benefits and can put...
A well-planned weight-loss program includes water and other fluids that hydrate your body. Include water-rich foods as well, such as soups, low-fat dairy products and vegetables, to lower each meal's calorie density. This helps you decrease...
To lose weight, you need to burn more calories than you consume. Drinking water can help in the overall process but only when combined with a proper diet and exercise. Knowing the benefits and effects that result from drinking water will help you...
