What symptom is salt poisoning?

summary

Salt is not only a condiment, but also contains sodium, which is a kind of nutrition needed by human body. Sodium helps muscles and nerves work to ensure that the body maintains the right amount of fluid. However, too much sodium intake is not good for health, and even can cause hypernatremia or salt poisoning. Symptoms of salt poisoning include excessive thirst, mental state changes, muscle convulsions or stiffness. What symptom is salt poisoning? Let's talk about it.

What symptom is salt poisoning?

Although large doses of sodium bicarbonate are risky, sodium intake alone is usually not enough to cause hypernatremia. The disease usually occurs when people drink too little water, or when fluid is lost due to diabetes, severe burns, excessive vomiting and diarrhea.

Increased thirst is often the first symptom of salt poisoning. Increased sodium levels in the body can induce thirst. But many patients do not have symptoms of thirst or the duration is very short, and patients who have already experienced mental state changes are less likely to show such symptoms.

A change in mental state may mean salt poisoning. If salt poisoning is very rapid and serious, lack of fluid in the body can also affect the brain. This causes the brain to contract, and the blood vessels in the organ to strain excessively can cause rupture and oozing of blood. This physiological change can lead to irritability, confusion or coma.

matters needing attention

Patients generally need intravenous fluids and drinking water to restore sodium and fluid balance in the body. This treatment usually ends within 48 hours, but it should be noted that the patient cannot receive fluid too fast or too slow. Doctors must carefully assess the cause, duration and rate of onset to determine the right treatment. People with diabetes may also need anti-inflammatory drugs and hormone therapy.