Sodium Deficiency
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Sodium deficiency is very rare, as it is widely available in a number of natural foods as well as processed foods and most people get enough. The only groups of people who may be deficient are:
- People who drink excessive amounts of water
People who drink excessive amounts of water (more than 3 litres a day) may have unbalanced levels of sodium and the other electrolytes, as water dilutes the amount of the electrolytes in the body and may cause a deficiency of sodium. - People who have cancer of the adrenal glands
People who have cancer of the adrenal glands may not be processing sodium properly because the adrenal hormone aldosterone, which is critical for sodium balance may not be functioning properly. - People who sweat excessively
People who sweat excessively either through engaging in heavy exercise or due to air temperatures (high heat) may be sweating too much of the sodium in the body and could become deficient.
People who have severe diarrhoea or vomiting (or even both) may become deficient in sodium (and the other electrolytes) because they may be excreting too much of the sodium in the body
- People who use diuretics
People who use diuretics may be eliminating too much sodium (as well as the other electrolytes) and could become deficient if the diuretics are taken over a long term. - People with Addison's disease
People with Addison's disease, a condition which produces adrenal gland insufficiency, have low sodium (and chloride) levels, but high potassium levels. This condition causes a deficiency of sodium levels in the body. - People with chronic kidney disease
People with chronic kidney disease may not be able to process sodium (or the other electrolytes) properly and could be excreting too much of the sodium in the body and become deficient. - People with severe diarrhoea or vomiting
People who have severe diarrhoea or vomiting (or even both) may become deficient in sodium (and the other electrolytes) because they may be excreting too much of the sodium in the body.