I have had an interesting experience I thought I would share, just in case someone else might find themselves in this situation.
I have been vaping since December. I know of vaping dehydration, so I do drink a lot of water. About 2 months ago I just stayed extremely thirsty. I cut my PG level in juice and drank more water. And more water. Still thirsty, and tired...
A week ago (Tuesday to give the time frame) I went to the Dr for my regular annual checkup blood work panel. Did not expect any problems, I have been very healthy (albeit getting older....
). So on Friday I get a call from the Dr's office - Dr must see you right away!!!! No can do, I am in Virginia for work (home and Dr is in Florida). OK, so hang on for the Dr. After approx. 5 minutes on ignore (hold) he comes on the line. "Your serum sodium is dangerously low, at 80. Add 1 tsp of salt to your diet every day and you should be OK. See you Tuesday. (yesterday, my scheduled appointment)". Click. OK, so now what?
Google is my friend. I googled "low sodium" and found that the symptoms for low sodium are almost identical to dehydration. Extreme thirst, fatigue, muscle cramps (I had a backache, don't think it is related but who knows?) I get very little salt in my regular diet; don't eat much fast food, don't use salt in cooking, don't even have salt on the kitchen table. "Normal" serum sodium is 135-145. I was 80!!!!!!! Could have passed out and gone into a coma! Your body needs sodium to absorb liquid into the cells, along with lots of other chemical processes in the body.
So what I was doing to "treat" my "dehydration" was drinking more water, thus diluting my serum sodium more and more. Once I added 1 tsp of salt to my diet (first few days I just put 1 tsp of sea salt in a glass, added water to dissolve, and through the lips and over gums, look out stomach here it comes!). Funny thing? I am not so thirsty! I also googled "home made electrolye drinks) and now have a big gallon bottle of orange juice, lemon juice, lime juice, appropriate amount of salt, a little honey and water in my fridge. Drinking several glasses a day and feel much better. Gatorade, Powerade, those drinks are not the best, too much sugar and other chemicals. But everything in moderation is my motto.
My point? This is an extremely rare condition. Being thirsty does not give license to add a bunch of salt to your diet!!!! Most people get more salt then they need. Just to be aware that if you continue to be thirsty, tired, dragged out in spite of drinking lots of water, SEE YOUR DOCTOR!!! Something else may be going on. It was just a "fluke" of timing that my condition was found. Fortunately for me it was found in time to avoid medical crisis.
BTW, went for my physical yesterday. All systems are go. Kidneys, liver, anything that could cause this condition was fine and healthy. All other electrolytes are at a healthy level. I do take a multi vitamin (with potassium, magnesium, etc) and calcium/vit D every day, so that probably protected me there. But the salt.. I go back in 2 weeks for a renal test (sodium and electrolytes???), but both Dr and I expect all to be well with the addition of salt to my daily diet. Oh, and when I told him I am off tobacco and vaping, he said, and I quote "That is wonderful!!" He is a man of little words, so that was music to my ears!
Vape on my friends! OH! another side note, I am not experiencing the loss of taste I was experiencing. I do have moments, like first thing in the morning, but a glass of my electrolyte mix and a little extra water and all is well.
I have been vaping since December. I know of vaping dehydration, so I do drink a lot of water. About 2 months ago I just stayed extremely thirsty. I cut my PG level in juice and drank more water. And more water. Still thirsty, and tired...
A week ago (Tuesday to give the time frame) I went to the Dr for my regular annual checkup blood work panel. Did not expect any problems, I have been very healthy (albeit getting older....
). So on Friday I get a call from the Dr's office - Dr must see you right away!!!! No can do, I am in Virginia for work (home and Dr is in Florida). OK, so hang on for the Dr. After approx. 5 minutes on ignore (hold) he comes on the line. "Your serum sodium is dangerously low, at 80. Add 1 tsp of salt to your diet every day and you should be OK. See you Tuesday. (yesterday, my scheduled appointment)". Click. OK, so now what?Google is my friend. I googled "low sodium" and found that the symptoms for low sodium are almost identical to dehydration. Extreme thirst, fatigue, muscle cramps (I had a backache, don't think it is related but who knows?) I get very little salt in my regular diet; don't eat much fast food, don't use salt in cooking, don't even have salt on the kitchen table. "Normal" serum sodium is 135-145. I was 80!!!!!!! Could have passed out and gone into a coma! Your body needs sodium to absorb liquid into the cells, along with lots of other chemical processes in the body.
So what I was doing to "treat" my "dehydration" was drinking more water, thus diluting my serum sodium more and more. Once I added 1 tsp of salt to my diet (first few days I just put 1 tsp of sea salt in a glass, added water to dissolve, and through the lips and over gums, look out stomach here it comes!). Funny thing? I am not so thirsty! I also googled "home made electrolye drinks) and now have a big gallon bottle of orange juice, lemon juice, lime juice, appropriate amount of salt, a little honey and water in my fridge. Drinking several glasses a day and feel much better. Gatorade, Powerade, those drinks are not the best, too much sugar and other chemicals. But everything in moderation is my motto.
My point? This is an extremely rare condition. Being thirsty does not give license to add a bunch of salt to your diet!!!! Most people get more salt then they need. Just to be aware that if you continue to be thirsty, tired, dragged out in spite of drinking lots of water, SEE YOUR DOCTOR!!! Something else may be going on. It was just a "fluke" of timing that my condition was found. Fortunately for me it was found in time to avoid medical crisis.
BTW, went for my physical yesterday. All systems are go. Kidneys, liver, anything that could cause this condition was fine and healthy. All other electrolytes are at a healthy level. I do take a multi vitamin (with potassium, magnesium, etc) and calcium/vit D every day, so that probably protected me there. But the salt.. I go back in 2 weeks for a renal test (sodium and electrolytes???), but both Dr and I expect all to be well with the addition of salt to my daily diet. Oh, and when I told him I am off tobacco and vaping, he said, and I quote "That is wonderful!!" He is a man of little words, so that was music to my ears!
Vape on my friends! OH! another side note, I am not experiencing the loss of taste I was experiencing. I do have moments, like first thing in the morning, but a glass of my electrolyte mix and a little extra water and all is well.
