Ron Thompson

We often hear that we should try to reduce our sodium intake . However , this isn ’ t always true , something ARTA member Ron Thompson learned the hard way . Here is his story :

It was our anniversary — Sunday , August 16 , 2020 . It should have been a happy day . Instead I suffered a seizure and was rushed to the University of Alberta Hospital by ambulance .

As a result of the seizure , I broke the humerus in my left shoulder and had to wait several days before surgery because of delays caused by COVID-19 . I was home the next day to recuperate and do my physiotherapy exercises , and Family and Community Support Services in Leduc put me in touch with home care . Home care came every one to two days to change my dressings for two weeks . When I followed up with the surgeon after two weeks , he reported that the X-rays of my shoulder showed good healing so far . A nurse removed the remaining dressings , and I went home with three new exercises to do for the next five weeks .

Back at the hospital , doctors had determined that I had suffered a seizure as a result of low sodium . How did this happen ? A side-effect of one of my blood pressure medications resulted in the depletion of sodium in my body . My medication was changed immediately at the hospital as a result of their assessment .

Sherry Dumont , a HumanaCare Registered Nurse , explains :

Sodium is an important electrolyte our bodies require to function properly . Too much sodium may be harmful , but too little can also have serious consequences . The Food and Nutrition Board recommends an adequate intake of 1,300 milligrams of sodium per day for people aged 51 to 70 and a slightly lower intake of just 1,200 milligrams per day after age 70 . Adequate intake is the amount of sodium that should meet a healthy senior ’ s nutritional requirements . Many people may benefit from a lower-sodium diet , such as those with salt-sensitive high blood pressure . However , even though too much sodium causes problems , eating too little can be just as unhealthy . Listen to your doctor if you have a medical condition that requires a diet low in sodium . The body uses salt to regulate blood pressure and blood volume and to help nerves and muscles function properly . Too much salt causes a myriad of problems ranging from water retention to impaired cognitive abilities to problems with the heart , bones , and kidneys . The most notorious result of too much salt is high blood pressure , which can damage the cardiovascular system and even cause serious issues such as strokes and heart failure .

But you don ’ t want to cut out salt entirely ; your body needs it to function correctly . Sodium helps the body retain water , aids in digestion , helps muscles and nerves work properly , keeps minerals in the bloodstream , and maintains blood pressure .

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