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Dietary sodium
Dietary sodium is a necessary electrolyte. However, minimal amounts of sodium is needed each day because our kidneys are very good at holding onto it. On the other hand, a diet that is too high in sodium can cause high blood pressure because the excess sodium causes fluid retention, which increases the amount of blood in our blood vessels and hence increases its pressure.
Dr. Jeff Livingston reviewed this
24 year experience in Obstetrics and Gynecology
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Related questions
A 33-year old asked:
How can you balance dietary sodium intake with the intake of potassium?
2 doctor answers • 6 doctors weighed in
A 52-year old female asked:
Is it ok I am taking bone-up superior calcium formula is a dietary supplement. Taking this instead of the medication alendronate sodium tablets 70 mg?
1 doctor answer • 3 doctors weighed in
A 37-year old asked:
If i'm allergic to sulfa drugs, could i be allergic to sodium cetostearyl sulphate?
1 doctor answer • 1 doctor weighed in
A 23-year old female asked:
Taking Divalproex sodium DR 250mg. I'm only taking it once a day only at night. Is that okay? Is that bad only taking it once a day instead of two?
1 doctor answer • 1 doctor weighed in
A 63-year old female asked:
I have tn i was on trilepal first it depleted my sodium. I'm on gabapintin and dilanta .Their putting me on low does of tegroel . Will this depleted s?
1 doctor answer • 2 doctors weighed in
A 62-year old female asked:
I'm on Trileptal my sodium is 128 is that low enough i sure be concerned.
2 doctor answers • 6 doctors weighed in
A 62-year old female asked:
I have trilrgrial neugria i'm on trilepal it's depleting my sodium. What is a good med to stop the shocks?
2 doctor answers • 2 doctors weighed in
A 20-year old female asked:
I am trying to eat clean and lose weight. I am 200pounds at the age 20& i'm 5ft tall.. So i want to know how much sodium I should take in daily. Thnks?
2 doctor answers • 2 doctors weighed in
A 49-year old asked:
I'm curious as to what is considered safe sodium intake?
1 doctor answer • 1 doctor weighed in
A 62-year old female asked:
What is a good low side effect med for trilegimal neruigia .. I'm on Trileptal now but it's delepingy sodium..
1 doctor answer • 1 doctor weighed in
A 41-year old female asked:
I'm taking Levothyroxine Sodium 100 mcg a day in the afternoon, is it safe to change the time and start taking it in the morning?
1 doctor answer • 1 doctor weighed in
A 27-year old male asked:
I'm trying to reduce sodium intake. I read that 1 Cup serving with 100mg sodium is LESS than 6oz with 60mg. Why? How do i know what's lower?
1 doctor answer • 2 doctors weighed in
A 38-year old female asked:
Gained 5lbs water weight in 3 days due to excessive sodium, how can I flush it out?? Im taking hydrochlorothiazide 25mg but no longer effective.
1 doctor answer • 1 doctor weighed in
A 18-year old male asked:
Something wrong with eating 1/2 cup sodium free beans (black, kidney, garbanzo, pinto) a day? I'm 18 5'9 male 166 lbs high bodyfat , tryin 2 lose lbs.
1 doctor answer • 2 doctors weighed in
A 46-year old female asked:
I have been having pain in the back of my head on the left & right side for the past 3 days around 6/7. I'm not a headache person, and my sodium is low?
1 doctor answer • 1 doctor weighed in
A 37-year old female asked:
I've been taking Levothyroxine Sodium 0,50 MCG for several months, I used to take only 0,25 MCG and I'm now having symptoms of faintiness and dizziness. I feel better when I don't take the medication. What should I do? I can't quit it completely?
1 doctor answer • 1 doctor weighed in
A 18-year old male asked:
If the sardines i'm eating says the ingrediants are just sardines, water, and crustaceans then there isn't much sodium is there? Or is there?
1 doctor answer • 3 doctors weighed in
A 43-year old male asked:
Is low sodium 132 bad?
1 doctor answer • 4 doctors weighed in
A 24-year old asked:
Why is excess sodium bad for you?
2 doctor answers • 6 doctors weighed in
A 43-year old female asked:
How do you increase sodium levels?
1 doctor answer • 1 doctor weighed in
A 38-year old asked:
How come I have strong cravings for sodium?
1 doctor answer • 1 doctor weighed in
A 53-year old female asked:
How much sodium are you suppose to have a day?
2 doctor answers • 2 doctors weighed in
A 28-year old male asked:
What is the definition or description of: sodium?
1 doctor answer • 2 doctors weighed in
A 34-year old asked:
Was wondering how much sodium should I have in a day?
1 doctor answer • 2 doctors weighed in
A 61-year old female asked:
Who in Wisconsin would perform a sodium pentathol procedure?
2 doctor answers • 2 doctors weighed in
A 44-year old asked:
Please tell me what foods have high sodium that I should avoid?
1 doctor answer • 1 doctor weighed in
A 35-year old female asked:
My sodium was 133, my Ba# was 0.0 and eo % was 2.0 and Eo# was 1.0 why would the ba be low and others high?
1 doctor answer • 1 doctor weighed in
A 34-year old asked:
Does gatorade have sodium?
1 doctor answer • 1 doctor weighed in
A 47-year old asked:
How much sodium is in vodka?
1 doctor answer • 2 doctors weighed in
A 44-year old asked:
Nephrology, what causes low sodium?
4 doctor answers • 9 doctors weighed in
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