What can happen if you consume too much sodium?

Answer 1

Although its almost impossible to eat too much salt it can have serious effects on your health such as: raise your blood pressure, which increases the risk of serious conditions such as stroke and Heart disease.

also your stomach can eat its self.

Answer 2

Sodium deficiency symptoms can range from headaches, confusion, muscle cramps, and fatigue to coma and sudden death. If you think you have a sodium deficiency, you should talk to your doctor immediately.

Answer 3

The body's physiology (e.g. how it functions) is complex and rather 'brilliant' in design. Just like a child's see-saw at a playground, the body has many built-in mechanisms to keep a homeostatic state--e.g. "normal". if you imagine a see-saw when one side goes "up" the other side goes "down". Many electrolytes, such as sodium and potassium, operate in a similar manner. The body's job is normally to keep those two electrolytes "in balance" (though the actual blood values of each are never "equal"). However, if outside forces change the normal "balance", the body has a lot of difficulty putting the body back to a state of homeostasis.

So, if you use a lot of table salt, especially when eating processed or canned foods that already contain high levels of salt, your blood sodium will rise. When sodium rises, your potassium blood level drops. The heart needs a more precise blood level of potassium just to maintain normal electrical heart functioning. When potassium drops the heart doesn't contract properly. In fact, ALL muscles in the body can have symptoms when potassium is too low or too high.

The body first tries to correct sodium-potassium imbalances by having the kidneys filter more sodium. But excreting sodium also relies on fluids. So, for example, a person who is dehydrated and consumes more salt (sodium) will have a harder time having the kidneys excrete enough sodium to bring potassium back into a relative balanced state. Persons who do not recognize thirst, a common symptom when consuming additional salt, may not drink or drink enough. In fact, most people are in slight dehydration because (a) people do not drink enough water, (b) people consume too much added salt and (c) people rely on soft drinks, but sugary drinks add glucose which can make the body's blood glucose too high; glucose also relies partly on fluid balance.

Although it is worse to have high potassium and low sodium, having low potassium and high sodium still causes problems. Muscles and even the brain don't work well (including muscle weakness), the heart won't beat properly, etc.

How to maintain better sodium-potassium balance:

1. Always assume you are less hydrated than ideal.
2. Drink at least 8 full glasses of water, to total about 64 oz a day.
3. Use table salt sparingly especially on highly processed or canned foods.
4. Ask for no-salt or lightly salted foods at restaurants and fast food places.
5. If you drink soda ("pop"), coffee or tea with sugar, drink an equal amount of water.
6. Know that alcoholic drinks lead to slight dehydration. So alcohol plus fast food french fries will increase your sodium levels. if drinking alcohol, make sure to drink water or electrolyte drinks the day after.
7. Do NOT over use electrolyte drinks, such as Gatorade. Those CAN upset the body's normal balance.
8. Dehydration causes constipation, so if constipated, assume you need to drink more water.
9. Drink water during and after exercise.
10. A banana a day helps replace potassium.
11. Tell your doctor if you have muscle pain, weakness, brain "fuzziness", or notice an irregular heart beat.

Answer 4

If you eat too much sodium, you are likely to suffer from high blood pressure, especially in later life. As your kidneys start to release increased amounts of water, the volume of blood that is being pumped around your body also increases.

Answer 5

If you consume too much sodium, over time heart disease can become a serious problem.

Answer 6

it bloats your stomach up and makes you puffy.seriously.

Answer 7

A small amount of excess raises blood pressure and makes you thirsty. A large excess will kill you.

Answer 8

it can cause Heart diseases, and can sometimes cause death

Answer 9

swelling

Answer 10

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