Violation of water-salt metabolism. Water balance or How to normalize metabolism

In order for our body to function normally, a complex set of internal processes is involved. Maintaining normal water-salt metabolism is one of them. When it is in order, a person does not experience health problems, but its violation leads to complex and noticeable deviations. So what is water-salt balance? The disorder and its symptoms will also be considered.

general information

Water-salt balance is considered to be the interacting processes of water and salts entering the body, their absorption and distribution in internal organs and tissues, as well as methods of their elimination.

Everyone knows that more than half of a person consists of water, the amount of which in the body can vary. This depends on many factors, such as fat mass and age. A newborn is 77% water; in adult men this figure is 61%, and in women it is 54%. Such a small amount of fluid in the female body is explained by the presence of numerous fat cells. As you get older, this figure becomes even lower.

How is water distributed in the human body?

The liquid distribution is carried out as follows:

2/3 of the total is intracellular fluid;
1/3 of the total is represented by extracellular fluid.

In the human body, water is in a free state, it is retained by colloids or it participates in the formation and breakdown of molecules of fats, proteins and carbohydrates.

Compared to the intercellular fluid and blood plasma, the tissue fluid in the cells is characterized by a higher concentration of magnesium, potassium and phosphate ions and a low content of chlorine, sodium, calcium and bicarbonate ions. This difference is explained by the fact that the capillary wall for proteins has low permeability. Normal in a healthy person helps maintain not only a constant composition, but also the volume of fluid.

Regulation of water-salt balance by the kidneys and urinary system

Kidneys are necessary to maintain ongoing processes. They are responsible for ion exchange, removing excess cations and anions from the body through reabsorption and excretion of sodium, potassium and water. The role of the kidneys is extremely important, since thanks to them the required volume of intercellular fluid and the optimal amount of substances dissolved in it are maintained.

A person should consume 2.5 liters of fluid per day. About 2 liters comes through drinking and food, and the rest is formed in the body due to metabolic processes. 1.5 liters are excreted by the kidneys, 100 ml by the intestines, and 900 ml by the skin and lungs. Thus, it is not just one organ that regulates the water-salt balance, but a combination of them.

The volume of fluid excreted by the kidneys depends on the needs and condition of the body. The maximum amount of urine that this organ is able to excrete per day is 15 liters of liquid, and with antidiuresis it is 250 ml.

Such different indicators depend on the nature and intensity of tubular reabsorption.

Why is the balance of water and salt in the body disrupted?

Violation of the water-salt balance occurs in the following cases:

Accumulation of fluid in the body in large quantities and slowing down its elimination. It accumulates in the intercellular space, its volume inside the cells increases, resulting in swelling of the cells. If nerve cells are involved in the process, nerve centers are excited, contributing to the occurrence of seizures.
Also, completely opposite processes can occur in the body. Due to excessive removal of fluid from the body, the blood begins to thicken, the risk of blood clots increases, and blood flow in organs and tissues is disrupted. If the water deficit is more than 20%, the person dies.

Violation of the water-salt balance of the body leads to weight loss, dry skin and cornea. In case of severe moisture deficiency, the subcutaneous fatty tissue begins to resemble dough in consistency, the eyes become sunken, and the volume of circulating blood decreases. In addition, facial features become sharp, cyanosis of the nails and lips occurs, kidney hypofunction occurs, blood pressure decreases, the pulse quickens and weakens, and due to protein metabolism disorders, the concentration of nitrogenous bases increases. A person begins

In addition, imbalance may occur due to equal loss of water and salts. This usually occurs in acute poisoning, when fluid and electrolytes are lost through vomiting and diarrhea.

Why does there be a lack and excess of water in the body?

Most often, such a pathological process occurs due to external loss of fluid and its redistribution in the body.

A decrease in calcium levels in the blood occurs:

for diseases of the thyroid gland;
when using radioactive iodine preparations;
with pseudohypoparathyroidism.

Sodium decreases as a result of long-term diseases in which urine excretion is very poor; after operation; due to self-medication and uncontrolled use of diuretics.

A decrease in potassium is caused by:

its movement within cells;
alkalosis;
corticosteroid therapy;
liver pathologies;
insulin injections;
aldosteronism;
alcoholism;
surgery on the small intestine;
hypofunction of the thyroid gland.

Symptoms of imbalance of water and salt in the body

If the water-salt balance in the body is disturbed, then symptoms such as vomiting, severe thirst, swelling, and diarrhea occur. The acid-base balance begins to change, blood pressure decreases, and arrhythmia appears. Such symptoms should never be ignored, since progressive pathology can lead to cardiac arrest and death.

Calcium deficiency is dangerous due to the occurrence of smooth muscle spasms, especially if a spasm of the larynx occurs. If, on the contrary, there is a lot of this element in the body, severe thirst, stomach pain, vomiting, and frequent urination appear.

With potassium deficiency, alkalosis, chronic renal failure, atony, intestinal obstruction, heart disease, and brain pathology occur. When it increases, vomiting, nausea, and ascending paralysis appear. This condition is dangerous because ventricular fibrillation occurs very quickly, leading to atrial arrest.

Excessive amounts of magnesium appear due to kidney dysfunction and antacid abuse. In this case, nausea occurs, leading to vomiting, body temperature rises, and heart rate slows down.

How to restore water-salt balance in the body?

It is quite difficult to independently determine the presence of such a pathology, and if suspicious symptoms appear, you should consult a doctor. He can offer the following treatment methods to restore the water-salt balance:

medicinal;
outpatient;
chemical;
diet.

Drug treatment

This method consists in the fact that the patient must take mineral or vitamin-mineral complexes containing calcium, sodium, silicon, magnesium, potassium, i.e., elements that are responsible for the water-salt balance in the body.

Such drugs include:

"Duovit";
"Vitrum";
"Biotech Vitabolic"

The course of treatment lasts a month, then take a break of several weeks.

Chemical method of treatment

In this case, it is necessary to take a special solution. At any pharmacy you can purchase special packages containing various salts. Similar remedies were previously used for poisoning, cholera, dysentery, which are accompanied by diarrhea and vomiting, resulting in rapid and such a saline solution promotes water retention in the body.

Before using this product, you should consult your doctor, because it is contraindicated if:

diabetes mellitus;
renal failure;
infections of the genitourinary system;
liver diseases.

How to restore the water-salt balance in this way? To do this, you need to take a week’s course of this remedy. The saline solution should be taken an hour after meals, and the next dose should be taken no earlier than 1.5 hours later. During treatment, you should avoid eating salt.

Outpatient treatment

It is very rare, but such a situation does occur that the patient has to be hospitalized due to a violation of the water-salt balance. In this case, the patient takes saline solutions and special mineral preparations under the supervision of a doctor. In addition, a strict drinking regime is recommended, and meals are prepared according to the patient’s needs. In extreme cases, droppers are prescribed with

Diet

To normalize the water-salt balance, it is not necessary to take medications. In this case, the patient is prescribed a special diet with the amount of salt calculated. It should be limited to 7 g per day.

Instead of table salt, it is better to use sea salt, as it contains a higher content of useful minerals;
if it is not possible to use sea salt, you can add iodized table salt to your dishes;
You should not salt “by eye”, but use a spoon for this (5 g of salt is placed in a teaspoon, and 7 g in a tablespoon).

In addition, you need to drink water depending on your body weight. There are 30 g of water per 1 kg of mass.

Conclusion

Thus, the water-salt balance can be brought back to normal on your own, but before that you still need to see a doctor and take all the necessary tests. You should not prescribe various mineral and vitamin complexes or salt packs to yourself; it is better to adhere to a special diet and useful recommendations.

The normal functioning of our body is an incredibly complex set of internal processes. One of them is maintaining water-salt metabolism. When it is normal, we are in no hurry to feel our own health, but as soon as disturbances occur, complex and quite noticeable deviations occur in the body. What is it and why is it so important to control it and maintain it normal?

What is water-salt metabolism?

Water-salt metabolism refers to the combined processes of the entry of liquid (water) and electrolytes (salts) into the body, the features of their absorption by the body, distribution in internal organs, tissues, environments, as well as the processes of their removal from the body.

We know from school textbooks that half or more of a person consists of water. Interestingly, the amount of fluid in the human body varies and is determined by factors such as age, fat mass and the amount of the same electrolytes. If a newborn consists of 77% water, then adult men are 61%, and women are 54%. Such a low amount of water in the female body is explained by the large number of fat cells in their structure. With old age, the amount of water in the body decreases even below these levels.

The total amount of water in the human body is distributed as follows:

2/3 of the total is allocated to intracellular fluid; associated with potassium and phosphate, which are a cation and an anion, respectively;
1/3 of the total is extracellular fluid; a smaller part of it resides in the vascular bed, and a large part (over 90%) is contained in the vascular bed, and also represents interstitial or tissue fluid; The cation of extracellular water is sodium, and the anion is chlorides and bicarbonates.

In addition, water in the human body is in a free state, retained by colloids (swelling water or bound water) or involved in the formation/disintegration of molecules of proteins, fats and carbohydrates (constitutional or intramolecular water). Different tissues are characterized by different ratios of free, bound and constitutional water.

Compared to blood plasma and intercellular fluid, tissue fluid in cells has a higher content of potassium, magnesium, phosphate ions and a low concentration of sodium, calcium, chlorine and bicarbonate ions. The difference is explained by the low permeability of the capillary wall to proteins. Precise regulation of water-salt metabolism in a healthy person makes it possible to maintain not only a constant composition, but also a constant volume of body fluids, maintaining almost the same concentration of osmotically active substances and acid-base balance .

Regulation water-salt metabolism the body occurs with the participation of several physiological systems. Special receptors respond to changes in the concentration of osmotically active substances, electrolytes, ions and fluid volume. Such signals are transmitted to the central nervous system and only then do changes occur in the consumption or excretion of water and salts.

The excretion of water, ions and electrolytes by the kidneys is controlled by the nervous system and a number of hormones . In regulation water-salt metabolism Physiologically active substances produced in the kidney are also involved - vitamin D derivatives, renin, kinins, etc.

Regulation of potassium metabolism in the body is carried out by the central nervous system with the participation of a number of hormones, corticosteroids, in particular aldosterone and insulin.

Regulation of chlorine metabolism depends on the functioning of the kidneys. Chlorine ions are excreted from the body mainly through urine. The amount of excreted sodium chloride depends on the diet, the activity of sodium reabsorption, the state of the renal tubular apparatus, the acid-base state, etc. The exchange of chlorides is closely related to the exchange of water.

What is considered the normal water-salt balance?

Many physiological processes in the body depend on the ratio of the amount of liquid and salts in it. It is known that per 1 kilogram of weight a person should receive 30 ml of water per day. This amount will be enough to supply the body with minerals, spread with them through the vessels, cells, tissues, joints of our body, as well as dissolve and flush out waste products. On average, the amount of liquid consumed per day rarely exceeds 2.5 liters; such a volume can be formed approximately as follows:

from food - up to 1 liter,
by drinking plain water - 1.5 liters,
formation of oxidative water (due to the oxidation of mainly fats) - 0.3-0.4 liters.

Internal fluid exchange is determined by the balance between the amount of fluid received and released over a certain period of time. If the body requires up to 2.5 liters of fluid per day, then approximately the same amount is excreted from the body:

through the kidneys - 1.5 liters,
by sweating - 0.6 liters,
exhaled with air - 0.4 liters,
excreted in feces - 0.1 liters.

Regulation water-salt metabolism carried out by a complex of neuroendocrine reactions aimed at maintaining the stability of the volume and osmotic pressure of the extracellular sector and, most importantly, the blood plasma. Although the mechanisms for correcting these parameters are autonomous, both of them are extremely important.

As a result of this regulation, a stable level of concentration of electrolytes and ions in the intracellular and extracellular fluid is maintained. The main cations of the body are sodium, potassium, calcium and magnesium; anions - chlorine, bicarbonate, phosphate, sulfate. Their normal number in blood plasma is presented as follows:

sodium - 130-156 mmol/l,
potassium - 3.4-5.3 mmol/l,
calcium - 2.3-2.75 mmol/l,
magnesium - 0.7-1.2 mmol/l,
chlorine - 97-108 mmol/l,
bicarbonates - 27 mmol/l,
sulfates - 1.0 mmol/l,
phosphates - 1-2 mmol/l.

Disturbances of water-salt metabolism

Violations water-salt metabolism appear:

accumulation of fluid in the body or its deficiency,
the formation of edema,
decrease or increase in blood osmotic pressure,
electrolyte imbalance,
a decrease or increase in the concentration of individual ions,
changes in acid-base status (acidosis or alkalosis) .

The water balance in the body is completely determined by the intake and removal of water from the body. Disorders of water metabolism are closely related to electrolyte balance and are manifested by dehydration (dehydration) and hydration (increasing the amount of water in the body), the extreme expression of which is edema:

edema- excess fluid content in body tissues and serous cavities, in intercellular spaces, usually accompanied by an imbalance in the electrolyte balance in cells;
dehydration, being a lack of water in the body, is divided into:
- dehydration without an equivalent amount of cations, then thirst is felt, and water from the cells enters the interstitial space;
- dehydration with loss of sodium occurs from extracellular fluid and thirst is usually not felt.

Disturbances in water balance occur when the volume of circulating fluid decreases (hypovolemia) or increases (hypervolemia). The latter often occurs due to hydremia, an increase in water content in the blood.

Knowledge of pathological conditions in which the ionic composition of the blood plasma or the concentration of individual ions in it changes is important for the differential diagnosis of various diseases.

Disorders of sodium metabolism in the body are represented by its deficiency (hyponatremia), excess (hypernatremia) or changes in distribution throughout the body. The latter, in turn, can occur with normal or altered amounts of sodium in the body.

Sodium deficiency divided into:

true - associated with the loss of both sodium and water, which occurs with insufficient intake of table salt, excessive sweating, extensive burns, polyuria (for example, with chronic renal failure), intestinal obstruction and other processes;
relative - develops against the background of excessive administration of aqueous solutions at a rate exceeding the excretion of water by the kidneys.

Excess sodium distinguished in a similar way:

true - occurs when patients are given saline solutions, increased consumption of table salt, delayed excretion of sodium by the kidneys, excess production or prolonged administration of external minerals and glucocorticoids;
relative - observed during dehydration and entails overhydration and the development of edema.

Disorders of potassium metabolism, which is 98% in the intracellular and 2% in the extracellular fluid, are represented by hypo- and hyperkalemia.

Hypokalemia observed with excess production or external introduction of aldosterone, glucocorticoids, which cause excessive secretion of potassium in the kidneys, with intravenous administration of solutions, insufficient intake of potassium into the body with food. The same condition is likely with vomiting or diarrhea, since potassium is released with the secretions of the gastrointestinal tract. Against the background of this pathology, dysfunction of the nervous system develops (drowsiness and fatigue, slurred speech), muscle tone decreases, motility of the digestive tract, blood pressure and pulse weaken.

Hyperkalemia turns out to be a consequence of starvation (when protein molecules breakdown occurs), injuries, a decrease in circulating blood volume (with oligo- or anuria), and excessive administration of potassium solutions. Reports itself with muscle weakness and hypotension, bradycardia up to cardiac arrest.

Disturbances in the ratio of magnesium in the body are dangerous, since the mineral activates many enzymatic processes, ensures muscle contraction and the passage of nerve impulses through the fibers.

Magnesium deficiency occurs in the body during fasting and decreased absorption of magnesium, with fistulas, diarrhea, resection of the gastrointestinal tract, when magnesium leaves with the secretions of the gastrointestinal tract. Another circumstance is excessive secretion of magnesium due to the entry of sodium lactate into the body. In health, this condition is determined by weakness and apathy, often combined with a deficiency of potassium and calcium.

Excess magnesium is considered a manifestation of impaired secretion by the kidneys, increased cell breakdown in chronic renal failure, diabetes, hypothyroidism. The disorder manifests itself as a decrease in blood pressure, drowsiness, depression of respiratory function and tendon reflexes.

Disorders of calcium metabolism are represented by hyper- and hypocalcemia:

hypercalcemia- a typical consequence of excessive administration of vitamin D into the body, probably due to increased secretion into the blood of somatotropic hormone, hormones of the adrenal cortex and thyroid gland in Itsenko-Cushing's disease, thyrotoxicosis;
hypocalcemia observed in kidney diseases (chronic renal failure, nephritis), with limited secretion of parathyroid hormones into the blood, a decrease in plasma albumin, diarrhea, vitamin D deficiency, rickets and spasmophilia.

Restoration of water-salt metabolism

Normalization water-salt metabolism is carried out with pharmaceutical preparations designed to correct the content of water, electrolytes and hydrogen ions (determining acid alkalinity). These basic factors of homeostasis are supported and regulated by the interconnected work of the respiratory, excretory and endocrine systems and, in turn, determine this same work. Any changes in water or electrolyte levels, even minor ones, can lead to serious, life-threatening consequences. Applicable:

- prescribed in addition to the main therapy for heart failure, myocardial infarction, cardiac arrhythmias (including arrhythmias caused by an overdose of cardiac glycosides), hypomagnesemia and hypokalemia; easily absorbed when taken orally, excreted by the kidneys, transports potassium and magnesium ions, promotes their penetration into the intracellular space, where it is actively involved in metabolic processes.
- prescribed for gastritis with high acidity, peptic ulcer of the stomach and duodenum, metabolic acidosis, which occurs during infections, intoxications, diabetes mellitus and in the postoperative period; justified prescription for stone formation in the kidneys, inflammatory diseases of the upper respiratory tract, oral cavity; quickly neutralizes hydrochloric acid of gastric juice and has a rapid antacid effect, enhances the release of gastrin with secondary activation of secretion.
- indicated for large losses of extracellular fluid or insufficient supply (in the case of toxic dyspepsia, cholera, diarrhea, uncontrollable vomiting, extensive burns) for hypochloremia and hyponatremia with dehydration, intestinal obstruction, intoxication; has a detoxifying and rehydrating effect, and compensates for sodium deficiency in various pathological conditions.
- used to stabilize blood counts; binds calcium and inhibits hemocoagulation; increases sodium content in the body, increases alkaline blood reserves.
(ReoHES) - used during operations, acute blood loss, injuries, burns, infectious diseases as a prophylaxis against hypovolemia and shock; appropriate for microcirculation disorders; promotes the delivery and consumption of oxygen by organs and tissues, restoration of capillary walls.

With the approach of summer, many women, and even men, begin to dream about how they will defeat everyone with their luxurious forms and muscle relief. But the mirror at the end of winter, alas, mercilessly makes it clear that to create a stunning figure you cannot do without serious work! Physical activity is, of course, one of the most important elements in this matter, but it is also important to get your metabolism in order. Let's talk about salt and water today!

Water-salt metabolism

Amazing water...

How many adults remember what they were taught at school? If you rummage through your memory, it turns out that there is not much active knowledge gained during these “wonderful years” left. For example, E = mc2 (but who will remember the decoding?). Or that the human body is 65% water. Unfortunately, at school we don’t realize that all these boring laws, axioms, statements that you memorize without even trying to understand are quite applicable in life.

Well, at least take the same water. If children bothered to delve into the study of human anatomy and physiology, in particular, its metabolic processes, they could learn a lot of useful things even for this age. It would be useful for girls to know that water can be one of the reasons for weight gain. And boys would probably be interested in reading about water poisoning. In general, since such necessary information did not come to us in childhood, we will correct the situation now.

Let's start, as usual, with the basics. But it is hardly worth repeating that thanks to water, life appeared on Earth and that without it a person would not last even a week. Let's skip this part. Let's get straight to the necessary explanation of why water is so important.

1. H2O is an essential element of most biochemical reactions.

2. Water performs a transport function, that is, it delivers necessary substances to organs and tissues and removes metabolic end products from the body.

3. It acts as a kind of gasket, reducing friction between organs and tissues.

4. H2O is involved in thermoregulation.

More specifically, without a sufficient amount of water, memory, and indeed the brain in general, will malfunction, the immune system will not be able to withstand the onslaught of pathogenic bacteria, and you should completely forget about a good mood.

Thirst is not hunger

Naturally, for the body to function normally, it needs a sufficient amount of H2O. It receives the bulk of water from the liquid it consumes, and also “pulls” it from food. This is routine information that everyone knows, but which should be supplemented. The fact is that a person loses more water every day than he receives. This happens due to a simple chemical reaction: H2O molecules are formed during the oxidation of proteins (41 g of water per 100 g), fats (100 g - 107 g of water) and carbohydrates (55 g of water per 100 g).

There are different data regarding daily water consumption. Basically, they are quite vague: from 1.5 to 3 liters. But there are also more specific figures. There should be 40 g of H2O per 1 kg of body weight. That is, suppose an adult weighing 60 kg should receive 2.4 liters of water per day (this amount also includes water contained in food). Unfortunately, modern people, especially those who have unlimited access to the “benefits” of civilization, often cannot understand what their body requires of them, and mistake the feeling of thirst for hunger.

By consuming some kind of bun instead of the treasured H2O, we upset the water-salt balance. This affects metabolism, which directly affects our weight. If there is not enough water, the breakdown of fats slows down, as the liver is forced to help the kidneys. This distribution of labor leads to the accumulation of reserves that do not color the figure. There can be only one result and advice here: consume the right amount of water (you shouldn’t overdo it either) and you’ll lose weight before your eyes. By the way, experts recommend prefacing each meal with a glass of H2O, and drinking it only an hour after eating. With this regimen, water improves digestion rather than hinders it.

Dehydration

The most interesting part of almost any topic is the deviations from the norm, so it's time to talk about dehydration and water poisoning.

Dehydration occurs when 10% of water is lost, but if the body is deprived of 20% of H2O, death occurs. Mild dehydration is possible due to overheating and heavy physical work. In addition, water intensively leaves the body during hyperventilation of the lungs and, of course, as a result of the action of certain diuretics. With insufficient consumption of H2O in the blood, the concentration of mineral salts increases, and this already leads to water retention in the body. The natural result is impaired metabolism.

The following signs indicate a lack of water: rapid pulse, shortness of breath, dizziness; if the losses are more significant, vision and hearing are impaired, speech problems arise, delirium appears, then irreversible damage to the central nervous system, cardiac and respiratory systems occurs. Surprisingly, even if you quench your thirst, dehydration can occur. The fact is that with sweat the body loses a lot of salt, so to get rid of the desire to drink less H2O is required, although in fact it may require much more.

And water poisoning

A mild degree of dehydration is one way or another familiar to almost everyone, but water poisoning is a much more exotic thing. Still, our bodies are designed very smartly. When excess amounts of water enter the body, the kidneys remove it, restoring the necessary balance. However, under certain conditions, overhydration is also possible. It manifests itself as nausea, worsening after drinking water, and increased moistness of the mucous membranes. Patients also suffer from drowsiness, headache, muscle twitching, convulsions, heart function becomes difficult, fat deposition is observed, and pulmonary edema may even develop. They get rid of poisoning by intravenously administering a solution of sodium chloride (salt) and limiting water consumption.

Potassium – to get rid of water

Water-salt metabolism is a process no less important for us than fat, protein or carbohydrate. Our mood and health directly depend on the intake of H2O and minerals. But if we still know at least something about water, then we have almost no idea about the macro- and microelements we need. So, let's get acquainted: macroelements - calcium, potassium, magnesium, sodium, phosphorus, chlorine, sulfur; microelements – iron, cobalt, zinc, fluorine, iodine, etc.

Most attention is usually paid to potassium and sodium concentrations. The water-salt balance depends on them. If there is more sodium in the body, H2O is retained. If there is more potassium, water, on the contrary, is actively excreted. In addition, K is involved in the transmission of nerve impulses, maintains the acid-base balance of the internal environment of the body, participates in the regulation of heart activity, makes the heart rate more rare, and reduces the excitability of the heart muscle. Potassium is usually present in sufficient quantities in food, so deficiency of this element is rare. Lack of potassium manifests itself in drowsiness, decreased blood pressure, apathy, and cardiac arrhythmias. An excess of potassium is also expressed in drowsiness and decreased blood pressure, but confusion is also present, pain in the tongue, and flaccid muscle paralysis are characteristic. This element is found in abundance in parsley, celery, melon, potatoes, green onions, oranges, apples, and dried fruits. An adult needs about 3 g of potassium per day.

Sodium – to preserve H2O

Sodium, like potassium, is involved in the transmission of nerve impulses and the regulation of acid-base balance, water-salt metabolism, but, in addition, it also increases the activity of digestive enzymes. The need for this element in temperate climates is 7-8 g of table salt per day. If you eat more NaCI than necessary, water retention will occur, which will complicate the functioning of the cardiovascular system and cause an increase in blood pressure. If sodium is less than normal, drowsiness, nausea, cramps, dehydration, muscle weakness, dry mouth and many other unpleasant symptoms appear.

Magnesium – for peace of mind

Another very important element that cannot be ignored is magnesium. It has a calming and vasodilating effect. With a lack of magnesium in the diet, food absorption is impaired, appetite worsens, growth is delayed, and calcium is deposited in the walls of blood vessels. In addition, very painful cramps occur. Magnesium is found in millet, oat and buckwheat cereals, beans, dried fruits, especially dried apricots. Every day a person needs about 0.5 g of this element.

False thirst

A fun fact is best to end the lecture. For example, this: thirst can be true and false. True is caused by a decrease in water content in the blood. Through vascular receptors, a signal about this is transmitted to the hypothalamus, and its stimulation causes a desire to drink. With false thirst, the oral mucosa dries out. This effect occurs during readings, reports, lectures; at high external temperatures; stressful situations. There is no physiological need to drink liquid at such moments.

A person's water-salt balance is a natural indicator of his health. With its help, control is exercised over the functioning of all systems and internal organs.

If this balance is disturbed and is not restored for a sufficiently long period of time, functional and physiological pathologies begin to develop in the body, including oncological tumor diseases.

The normal balance of fluid and salt in the body ranges from 60% to 65% water in a middle-aged adult. For a child, the upper limit is approximately 10% higher, but during the aging period, water can make up only 50% of the basic indicator in kg of body weight.

When the body loses up to 5% of moisture, a person simply experiences extreme thirst, general lethargy, and his performance decreases. When up to 15% of moisture leaves the body, disturbances begin in various metabolic processes. Complete dehydration, that is, when the body loses up to 25% of fluid, can be fatal.

When the water-salt balance is disturbed, that is, the body is partially or completely dehydrated, the blood begins to thicken, metabolism deteriorates and begins the development of hypertension (increased blood pressure), hypotension (decreased blood pressure), and vegetative-vascular dystonia.

Disturbances in water-salt balance can be identified by certain signs:

The appearance of edema (that is, accumulation of fluid in the intercellular space);
A decrease in blood pressure or, conversely, an increase;
Acid-base imbalance in the human body.

The program to restore the balance of water and salt in the body is directly dependent on the causes and conditions that caused the pathological changes. Therefore, the doctor draws it up and makes prescriptions in each individual case.

But, of course, there are also general methods that are suitable in cases where the imbalance is detected at an early stage and is not associated with serious pathologies of internal organs and systems.

The first method is to drink at least two liters of water per day. To accurately calculate the volume of water required for consumption, you need to apply a proportion: for each kg of body weight there should be 30 ml of liquid. The water should be mineral, without gas and various additives (dyes, sugars, etc.). In some cases, the doctor may prescribe the use of slightly salted mineral water (0.5% saline solution).
The second method is to eat sea salt, and ideally iodized salt. You can add iodine to rock salt yourself. Sea salt is characterized by containing up to 80% of various beneficial minerals. All of them are necessary for the full functioning of the human body. To get enough of them, a portion of salt should be calculated using the formula: 1.5 g of salt for each liter of liquid consumed.
Another technique is the correct combination of the necessary micro and macroelements: potassium, selenium, calcium. Take, for example, potassium - it is found in dried fruits (dried apricots, prunes, peaches) and cherry juice. When, for one reason or another, it is not possible to select all the necessary products with these minerals, then you can start taking a pharmacological vitamin-mineral complex.
When eliminating salt imbalance in the body, it is very important to monitor and control the process of urination. The fact is that the volume of urine excreted must correspond, at least approximately, to the volume of liquid drunk. With proper internal processes, urine should also be light yellow in color and odorless.
In cases where dehydration has occurred due to one of the types of failure (renal or cardiac), fluid must be consumed during the day in small dosages, no more than 100 ml at a time. And in the first three recovery courses, it is very important to completely eliminate salt from your diet. As soon as the swelling goes away (the main symptom of salt imbalance), you can increase the one-time volume of water and add to it. In this case, medications with a diuretic effect will not be a hindrance, but only if they are prescribed by the attending physician. And immediately after the negative symptoms have decreased, the medications can be discontinued, or their dosage can be reduced.
Movement is important to restore salt balance. Light morning exercises and exercises during the day and evening will help the body cope with this disease faster.
In case of severe symptoms due to salt imbalance, hospitalization of the patient is necessary. And depending on what type of disturbance has occurred in the body (what is missing - liquid or salt), solutions of glucose, sodium chloride or, if plasma loss is observed, then plasma itself or its substitutes will be prescribed intravenously.
In infancy, the body requires more water than in an adult. Therefore, in case of water-salt imbalance in a child, Pedialyt or Oralit (water-soluble tablets) can be used.

With a properly designed medical program and its implementation, the water-salt balance will very quickly return to normal, and at the same time, blood pressure and general well-being will normalize.

Gymnastics to eliminate salt imbalance

To cure and eliminate salt imbalance from the body, of course, a doctor’s prescription is required, which will consist of taking certain medications and dietary nutrition. But, as an addition to these prescriptions and a good help in eliminating imbalances, gymnastics, consisting of specially selected exercises, can be a good help.

Attention in gymnastics, as a rule, is focused on the spinal column. It is very important that the spine is flexible and mobile. If this is not the case, then the condition will be aggravated by a painful syndrome with any, even the smallest movement.

Each exercise in therapeutic gymnastics is performed at least five times in a row. You can gradually “increase” the load and perform exercises with dumbbells in your hands or sandbags (no more than 1 kg in each hand).

You can always find out a set of exercises from your doctor or in the physiotherapy room at your local clinic.

Have you ever experienced sudden muscle cramps or weakness during strenuous activity?

Do you experience skin rashes or dry mouth during intense exercise?

If yes, then these are signs of a violation water-salt balance(lack of electrolyte salts), which, contrary to popular belief, affects not only marathon and triathletes (swimming, cycling and road running), but also outdoor enthusiasts, as well as those who turn into binge drinkers on weekends.

What causes water-salt imbalance?

This disorder is usually the result of poor nutrition or insufficient fluid intake before exercise and/or failure to replenish the body with essential nutrients (electrolytes) during prolonged physical activity.

What are electrolytes and why are they so important?

Electrolyte is the scientific term for salts. These substances are electrically charged ions that carry out electrical impulses across the cell membranes of nerves and muscles, including those in the heart, and control blood pH (acidity). The kidneys and adrenal glands are responsible for maintaining proper levels of electrolytes in the blood.

When you exercise vigorously, you lose electrolytes through sweat, especially sodium and potassium. Deficiencies of other electrolytes, such as calcium and magnesium, and related chlorides and bicarbonates, occur from causes such as malnutrition, thyroid imbalance, use of certain medications (such as diuretics and hypertension medications), excessive vomiting and diarrhea, and overconsumption distilled water.

So, without the right amount of electrolytes your body needs, your health may suffer, to say the least.

How to ensure that the body does not suffer from electrolyte deficiency?

First of all, eat a nutritionally balanced diet consisting of plenty of green leafy vegetables, eggs, lean meats, fish, grains and legumes, raw nuts and seeds. But even if you eat the foods listed, but your activity involves intense physical activity, which in one way or another causes sweating, it is recommended to replenish the body with good electrolytes during and after such exercise.

The problem is that the nutritional electrolyte market is flooded with countless high-sugar “sports drinks” with various additives and preservatives. Let's name some of them.

What sports drinks should you not drink?

Gatorade and Powerade are market leaders but are actually some of the poorest drinks in the category. They are manufactured using PepsiCo and Coca-Cola technology, respectively, and contain artificial flavors and colors, as well as denatured (brominated) vegetable oils, a lot of refined sugar and artificial sweeteners. Despite this composition, they are still used by many athletes.

Vitaminwater (Coca-Cola Company). A bottle of water with such a misleading name (vitamin water) contains 32 grams of sugar and synthetic vitamins, most of which the body cannot absorb.

Accelerade. Contains genetically modified soy protein and large amounts of fructose.

Cytomax. Contains sweeteners derived from genetically modified corn derivatives, as well as artificial flavors.

What “sports” drinks can you drink?

The closest two drinks to the required electrolyte formula for restoring water-salt balance are Emergen Lite-C and raw coconut juice. Emergen Lite-C is an effective and relatively harmless choice. It actually contains the following nutritional supplements: vitamin B6 for improved nutrient absorption, vitamin C and alpha lipoic acid for additional antioxidant protection.

Coconut juice, when taken directly from the coconut, is chock-full of natural sugars and valuable nutrients for the body, including electrolytes. But the trouble is that this juice usually goes through a fair amount of processing before it is sold, and unfortunately many of the wonderful nutrients are lost. The exception is unprocessed coconut juice, which is much more expensive, but contains all the electrolytes that are needed to restore water-salt balance.

If you're looking for more cost-effective alternatives, make your own homemade drinks for compensation for lost electrolytes.

Below are five different homemade drink recipes you can try to restore your hydration. Please note that where the word “water” is mentioned, it means either filtered water, from which impurities found in tap water have been removed, or distilled water. When you see the words "sea salt" in a recipe, it is better to use Himalayan Pink Crystal Salt or Celtic Sea Salt as they contain trace minerals that make the water more easily absorbed by the body's cells.

Recipes for homemade drinks to compensate for water-salt balance

Fast and easy

2 liters of clean water (filtered or distilled)

¾ cup fresh lemon juice

¼ - ½ teaspoon natural sea salt (ideally Himalayan or Celtic)

¼ cup natural sweetener (honey, maple syrup, sorghum)

Tart-sweet

¼ cup fresh lemon juice

¼ cup fresh lime juice

1 orange – juiced (or one can of frozen orange juice)

Mix in a blender

3 cups coconut juice or 2 cups strawberries or watermelon

1 glass of ice water

1 teaspoon natural sea salt

½ lemon - juice

A strong beat

1 liter of water

¼ teaspoon natural sea salt

½ teaspoon mixed ascorbates powder (Vit. C)

¼ cup juice (lemon, lime, watermelon or orange)

½ -1 tsp. stevia

On my way

2 cups coconut juice

½ teaspoon natural sea salt

½ teaspoon honey or stevia

1 liter of water