It consists of sodium and chloride atoms.

In ion form, they are also known aselectrolytes.

Sodium chloride is an important nutrient.

A person receives a saline IV

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When your sodium chloride level is too low, it must be increased to maintain normal body function.

When it is too high, you should reduce it to prevent heart disease and other health problems.

Sodium chloride is also used in medical treatments to prevent symptoms ofdehydrationor overhydration.

It can replace electrolytes lost as a result of disease, sweating, or other issues.

This article describes how sodium chloride works in your body and the ways it is used in treatments.

It also explains when you may have to increase or decrease your salt intake.

Extra sodium chloride is eliminated in perspiration and urine.

Each component of salt provides essential support for overall well-being.

However, they don’t.

Sodium is just one component of table salt.

Table salt is a combination of sodium and chloride.

It occurs naturally or as an additive in some foods.

Injections

Sodium chloride injections are used to treat dehydration and replace electrolytes and water.

The solutions can be mixed with sugar if necessary.

The tablets can also supplement salt levels in people withcystic fibrosisfor whom dehydration poses a severe problem.

Research indicates it is preferable to soap and water.

The medicine passes from your mouth to your lungs.

It is often used to administer asthma medication or treatments for chronic lung diseases.

Formulations come in numerous brand names as well as generics.

If you develophyponatremia(low sodium levels in your blood), you may need more sodium chloride.

Hyponatremia is defined as a blood serum sodium concentration of less than 135 milliequivalents per liter (mEq/L).

Inadequate sodium levels in the blood can affect blood pressure and muscle and nerve function.

Inadequate sodium levels allow extra water to move into cells, causing swelling and organ malfunction.

Most people in the United States consume too much sodium chloride.

This can lead tohypernatremia(an abnormally high level of sodium in the blood).

Hypernatremia is defined as a blood serum sodium concentration greater than 145 mEq/L.

These nutrients provide support to many key body functions such as cellular health and blood pressure control.

When you could’t consume the lowest healthy level of sodium chloride, you may need supplementation.

This can be done with oral tablets or IV injection, based on the severity of the problem.

Sodium chloride is also used in treatments for your eyes, nose, and skin.

Factors such as your age, chronic health problems, and overall health can affect this amount.

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