can too much sodium cause sever headaches?
405930
Wow! You are the only other person I have heard ask that. I found I had severe headaches after eating things like potato chips & Fritos. I finally picked up on the salt. I had my blood pressure checked & it was fine. I cut as much salt from my diet as possible. At home we use unsalted butter, canned vegetables etc. Eating out I avoid salt where possible.\n\nMy headaches have gone from two or three a week to none in almost eight months.\n\nGood luck to you. I hope it is your problem too.
385638
High blood pressure will not cause a migraine but Reserpine, a medication for high blood pressure will.\n\nHowever, hypertension can cause a headache.  A hypertension headache is suffered by people with very high blood pressure. It is usually worse in the morning, the pain seems to "band" the head.
126268
Dehydration causes an electrolyte inbalance, which can produce a headache, among other symptoms.
513507
The pressure in their vessels is high already.  If you add excess salt to your diet your body tries to reach a hemostatic equilibrium by retaining water.  Eventually too much water is kept in the vessels, the pressure increases more and a vessel somewhere bursts.  The most damaging areas are in the brain (causes a stroke and increased intercranial pressure), lungs (causes pneumonia), and the heart (causes heart failure).
812493
i'm going through the same thing right now. i've cut out cokes to try to lose weight and now i'm getting horrible headaches...i've just been drinking TONS of water.  good luck!
931665
With regards to dizziness, it has been my observation of my own response that there are two different conditions. One is almost always postural and is benign. Being attentive to the possibility of dizziness, light-headed, fainting, and blacking out with change of position plus insuring adequate hydration and some salt intake is usually all that is necessary.\n\nIf you salt your food to taste and eat any processed foods, you should be getting enough sodium. \n\nSome folks have reported they were able to increase their very low blood pressure by increasing their fluid intake (6-8 cups per day of any fluids is usually enough) to maintain adequate hydration and increasing their salt intake. Foods that are canned, pickled, processed or cured are high in salt. You can also drink 1/4 tsp of salt in a large glass of water to increase sodium.\n\nAlso, I would strongly advise you to stay away from Gatorade for I do not recommend the use of Gatorade or similar products. Even the ones that are low in sugar contain extra potassium which you may not need. \n\npaaatches --Discussing your concerns with you physician is a must. Never change your dosage or stop taking your medication without your doctor’s approval. If something isn’t working out for you, you feel something is wrong then you get your doctor on the phone and you tell them what’s going on.
392456
Are you eating a lot of salt? Salt is in a lot of things. Check. If you are cut down a lot and see what happens. If you aren't call your doctor before it gets worse. Good luck.
688104
Whenever I am pregnant (just had my 3rd)  I have such high blood pressure, and I OFTEN get those killer instant headaches immediately at the peak of orgasm.  I thought I was the only one...sheesh..   It is an instant, and almost crippling headache.  Kinda kills the mood...
723492
Side Effects\nFor individuals who are sodium-sensitive, an increased intake of sodium may contribute to high blood pressure. Therefore, people with high blood pressure may be advised to reduce sodium intake; all patients with high blood pressure should discuss this issue with their doctor. Reducing sodium can also reduce the side effects from certain prescription medications.\nIn addition, sodium may lead to fluid retention in patients with congestive heart failure, cirrhosis, or kidney disease. These patients should be on strict sodium-restricted diets as prescribed by their doctor.\nPlease see the webpages for more details on Sodium in diet.
1001056
Yes, talk to your doctor.  Perhaps it is connected to your medication, and only your doctor can advise you there.\n\nThe only time I suffered with headaches was when I took vitamin A or E tablets daily (separately).  It felt like I had overloaded the back of my head.  So now I don't take vitamin tablets and just make sure to treat myself to a balanced diet.  Although I know that there are some ailments that are treated with vitamins.  \n\nI think that the sooner you speak to your doctor the better
948021
I sincerely hope that u dont listen to some of these wrong answers and see your doctor instead, definetly do not increase your salt intake unless a doctor tells you to.  Your diziness may be caused from high blood pressure and increasing your salt is a bad idea.  Also, i used to smoke and i quit cold turkey, i have asthma also and smoking only made it worse!  You may not feel the bad effects of smoking till later in life and that might be when u start having regrets that u smoked in the first place.  Trying to get up a flight of stairs now might not be a problem, but give it a few more years and you will be wondering why u are out of breath just going up one flight.  Its a really good idea to quit smoking now.  Your lungs still have a chance to re-cuperate themselves.  Also your headaches may be from the nicotine. And of course you should drink enough water to keep yourself hydrated.  At least 8 glasses per day. But definetly ask a professional.
1137341
drink lots of water and take headache tablets. nuff said.
691763
For individuals who are sodium-sensitive, an increased intake of sodium may contribute to high blood pressure . Therefore, people with high blood pressure may be advised to reduce sodium intake; all patients with high blood pressure should discuss this issue with their doctor. Reducing sodium can also reduce the side effects from certain prescription medications.\n\nIn addition, sodium may lead to fluid retention in patients with congestive heart failure , cirrhosis , or kidney disease . These patients should be on strict sodium-restricted diets as prescribed by their doctor.
909747
2000-2500 mg a day for salt is what's recommended.  \n\nKosher or sea salt will provide less sodium mostly because the crystals are bigger.\n\nA good rule of thumb is to not add salt unless you're cooking from scratch.  Nearly all prepared food has more than enough sodium already.
436279
She shouldn't eat too much. A lot of times, women who are pregnant develop edema...swelling in the hands and feet that I believe is due to water retention. I know that salt can make it worse. Not too mention that we all should avoid too much sodium. Congratulations on your soon-to-be-here little one!!!
1057078
First question is what is the cause? \n\nIt may be too much soda. Or you could have a problem food causing it. Lactose intolerance from milk is a common one.\n\nFor many people, too much salt will cause serious bloating. The second link discusses this type of bloating.\n\nThe first link I've given has information about some of the common food causes of bloating. If none of these is the cause, you need to see your doctor.
835293
First off she needs to identify her triggers. Are the headaches related to stress levels ( good things bring stress too), foods (red wines, lunchmeat, cheeses, caffeine intake etc.), the weather, allergies (environmental), any neck/shoulder pain, menstrual cycle, or anything else that seems to occur just before the headache occurs. She can keep a headache log. Mark down when she has the headache and how bad it is. She can also think about what happened before the headache occurred.  I have included a couple of links that she may find helpful.\n\nFor me I found that certain foods, red wine, and job related stress were some of the triggers. The doctor then did MRI's of my brain and neck area to insure I didn't have any tumors that could have caused my everyday headaches/migraines. Once assured that there was no tumors, I was started on a medication that helps to prevent the frequency and severity of my migraine.\n\nExcerpts from the sites listed below:\n\nWhat causes migraine headaches? \n\nMigraine headaches seem to be caused in part by changes in the level of a body chemical called serotonin. Serotonin plays many roles in the body, and it can have an effect on the blood vessels. When serotonin levels are high, blood vessels constrict (shrink). When serotonin levels fall, the blood vessels dilate (swell). This swelling can cause pain or other problems.\n\nMany things can affect the level of serotonin in your body, including your level of blood sugar, certain foods and changes in your estrogen level if you're a woman.\n\nWhat things may set off a migraine? \n\nCertain things that can set off migraines in some people include the following:\n\nStrong or unusual odors, bright lights or loud noises \nChanges in weather or altitude \nBeing tired, stressed or depressed or the let-down after a stressful event \nChanges in sleeping patterns or sleeping time \nCertain foods (see the list below), especially those that contain tyramine, sodium nitrate or phenylalanine \nMissing meals or fasting \nMenstrual periods, birth control pills or hormones \nIntense physical activity, including sexual activity \n   \nFoods that may trigger migraines\n\nAged, canned, cured or processed meat, including bologna, game, ham, herring, hot dogs, pepperoni and sausage\nAged cheese\nAlcoholic beverages, especially red wine\nAspartame\nAvocados\nBeans, including pole, broad, lima, Italian, navy, pinto and garbanzo\nBrewer's yeast, including fresh yeast coffee cake, donuts and sourdough bread\nCaffeine (in excess)\nCanned soup or bouillon cubes\nChocolate, cocoa and carobCultured dairy products, such as buttermilk and sour cream\nFigs \nLentils\nMeat tenderizer\nMonosodium glutamate (MSG)\nNuts and peanut butter\nOnions, except small amounts for flavoring\nPapaya\nPassion fruit\nPea pods\nPickled, preserved or marinated foods, such as olives and pickles, and some snack foods\nRaisins\nRed plums\nSauerkraut\nSeasoned salt\nSnow peas\nSoy sauce\n\nCan I reduce how often I have migraines?\n\nYou may be able to reduce how often you have migraines by staying away from things that cause them. These are called "triggers." Common triggers include chocolate, red wine, cheese, MSG, strong odors, not eating, and poor sleep habits. It may be helpful for you to track and write down your triggers. You may be able to avoid the trigger and more migraines.\n\nIf you have migraines often, your doctor may prescribe medicine that helps prevent them.