What is Sodium?

Sodium is an essential mineral and one of the most important and abundant electrolytes in our bodies. Among the bodily functions it is involved in, we can include regulation of fluid balance, blood pressure, muscle function and transmitting nerve impulses.

For instance, an inhibited sodium transmission is the function behind anesthetics used to reduce sensation in your skin. Sodium is found in various types of foods, but most commonly found in regular table salt (sodium chloride).

Due to the high prevalence of salt in processed foods as well as a widely spread habit of adding salt to many meals, many people are thought to consume more sodium than the daily recommendations suggest. Sodium levels are mostly present outside of the cells in circulating blood, regulated by your kidneys.

Normal sodium levels indicate an overall balance in electrolytes and suggest well functioning regulations of fluids, blood pressure, muscle function and normal transmissions of nerve impulses.

Measuring sodium levels can provide important information on fluid balance and help identify abnormal sodium levels. This is especially relevant if suffering from symptoms associated with too much sodium (hypernatremia), too little sodium (hyponatremia), kidney disease or dehydration.

Since there are medications which can alter the levels of sodium, such as diuretics, measuring sodium may also be relevant to evaluate the effects of certain medications.

High levels of Sodium

High levels of sodium, also known as hypernatremia, can cause and be caused by an imbalance in body fluids. Most commonly, high levels indicate either dehydration, resulting in a “false” increase of sodium as a consequence of

1. a reduced blood volume, thus more concentrated blood

or

2. certain medications increasing the reabsorption of sodium
Along these two main causes, excessive intake of salt and kidney disease causing an impaired ability to excrete sodium through urine are possible underlying factors behind high sodium levels.

Low levels of Sodium

High levels of sodium, also known as hypernatremia, can cause and be caused by an imbalance in body fluids. Most commonly, high levels indicate either dehydration, resulting in a “false” increase of sodium as a consequence of

1. a reduced blood volume, thus more concentrated blood

or

2. certain medications increasing the reabsorption of sodium
Along these two main causes, excessive intake of salt and kidney disease causing an impaired ability to excrete sodium through urine are possible underlying factors behind high sodium levels.

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