I've never been one to really salt my food and stuff, but I used to really love salty snacks, fast food and things like pizza rolls.
This past spring, I started having problems with my hands and face swelling badly. My lips would actually feel swollen, and I was starting to gain a lot of weight. I felt bloated all the time. I would only urinate once or twice a day at the most. I started eating "whole" and unprocessed foods at the end of July. I noticed that I was urinating more and my face/hands wouldn't get as swollen. When I do eat something with more sodium in it, like the other day I had a turkey wrap, and it turns out the sodium was through the roof. My hands were so swollen by the end of the night, I had to remove my wedding rings with dish soap. This is big, because normally they almost fall off. I weighed 3.5lbs heavier the next morning. Tonight I had a steak that I could tell was a little bit salty, and sure enough, my hands and face are swollen, I can't wear my wedding rings and I'm bloated. I haven't pee'd once since I got home 6 hours ago.
Does this sound like a salt sensitivity, or just... I dunno... my body being weird. Is it something I should talk to the doc about?
Probably not enough. I drink as much as I remember to, but I've never been one to drink 8-10 glasses per day. One of my goals is to drink at least 64oz/day.
Well if it is dark colour - then you aren't drinking enough water.
I find herbal tea easier to drink than water.
I suppose I'd be less concerned about being salt sensitive, and looking more into why there has been a change. You probably should be seeing a doctor and getting some blood tests, there are a couple of medical conditions that could have this symptom.
Atleast increase your water intake and see if you are peeing more frequently.
It's clear or very light yellow. I eat a lot of fruit and veggies, which my doctor said is supplying me with hydration as well.
When I make a point of avoiding salty things, my urine output is fine.
I've been to the doctor multiple times in the past year because of issues; tiredness, (tmi) chronic constipation, asthma flareups, migraines, joint pain in my hips, hands, elbows and lower back.... I've been tested for lupus, thyroid disorders and complete blood workups, so I don't know if they would've missed something. The tiredness got better when I started eating better, but I still get very tired during the day. The asthma flareups are allergies (happens every year). The migraines do concern me because they're getting more frequent and more severe, to the point I can't open my eyes and I'm physically ill. I've been tested for lots of stuff, and my doctor acts like she's tired of seeing me.
i definitely notice when i eat high sodium foods!! especially in my breasts (seriously) and fingers, and i generally just feel bloated (and it shows, albeit temporarily, on the scale.)
i like salt, and i'm not shy about seasoning the food i cook. i never see a problem there- the amount of salt i use (and it's pretty liberal) is nothing compared to what they put in processed foods. when i eat more salty snack foods and restaurant food i definitely feel and see the effects of high sodium content.
drinking lots of water helps (i drink a ton of seltzer.) better is to just avoid the foods that make me feel bloated and yucky. i think more now, when i choose what to eat, not just about what i want to put in my mouth but how i want to feel after eating it!
Yes over the years I've developed salt sensitivity, it's really difficult because I just like spicy, salty food. I think in my "dieting" mindset I was like, well salt has no calories so always had a lot of things like broth and V8 juice which I can now no longer have (except the low salt kind which I don't like.) It also started affecting my blood pressure. A very salty meal (pizza or whatever) almost guarantees high blood pressure the next morning. The good thing is I find limiting my salt (I shoot for 1500 mg a day but that is difficult!) has had a positive effect on my health, weight, diet, looks, just about everything, except my MEALS but I am getting a little more used to it.
You have to drink enough water! If you're peeing only twice a day, it's because you aren't drinking enough water. Water is what flushes out the salt and swelling. I'd suggest you make it a habit to drink a glass of water every hour at least during "working hours," and more if you're eating salty foods (not a huge glass--just 8 ounces).
It's never a bad idea to see your doctor if you're concerned, but if your urine and blood tests come back normal and you don't have high blood pressure, it doesn't really give them much to go on.
I've never been one to really salt my food and stuff, but I used to really love salty snacks, fast food and things like pizza rolls.
This past spring, I started having problems with my hands and face swelling badly. My lips would actually feel swollen, and I was starting to gain a lot of weight. I felt bloated all the time. I would only urinate once or twice a day at the most. I started eating "whole" and unprocessed foods at the end of July. I noticed that I was urinating more and my face/hands wouldn't get as swollen. When I do eat something with more sodium in it, like the other day I had a turkey wrap, and it turns out the sodium was through the roof. My hands were so swollen by the end of the night, I had to remove my wedding rings with dish soap. This is big, because normally they almost fall off. I weighed 3.5lbs heavier the next morning. Tonight I had a steak that I could tell was a little bit salty, and sure enough, my hands and face are swollen, I can't wear my wedding rings and I'm bloated. I haven't pee'd once since I got home 6 hours ago.
Does this sound like a salt sensitivity, or just... I dunno... my body being weird. Is it something I should talk to the doc about?
I can so relate to this. For the last couple of years I've been having the same problems. There are many foods that I simply cannot eat without suffering major consequences. A can of soup, for example, will make me bloat up until I look six months pregnant and I won't urinate at all for a couple of days, regardless of how much water I force down. My doc kept trying to tell me the water retention was related to my menstrual cycle except that it happened every time I ate something with a lot of sodium in it. She finally agreed to prescribe me a diuretic which I take on an emergency basis only.
You might want to look at other things in your diet. A friend of mine had similar symptoms. She went from doc to doc until she found one who specialized in food sensitivities. He did some tests and told her: no sugar, no wheat, no dairy, no oranges (I think no potatoes, too).
It worked. Like a charm. Asthma gone. Swelling gone. It's hard to give up all of those things, but she felt so much better, it was worth it. Now she can eat those things occasionally, but she says she can feel it if she overdoes it.
I would start a food and symptom journal. I think that's the only way you're going to figure out what's going on. I have a co-worker that is allergic to Nitrates, which is in all processed meats among other foods as well.
I agree - possible food sensitivity/allergies is worth looking into. Happened with my BFF - turned out she had quite a list of food allergies and once she began avoiding those foods her asthma, headaches, aches, bloating - everything! - disappeared like magic. The worst culprits are usually wheat, dairy and eggs. :-(
I've had both problems - allergies and sodium sensitivity. I have to keep sodium between 500-1500 mg/day (you need at least 500mg to function). When I go over I definitely retain water (4-5 pounds overnight). It takes a couple of days to flush it out. As far as allergies are concerned, definitely keep a journal (food eaten, how you feel). It can help you find patterns. Also, you could check out "elimination diet", where you avoid one particular food for 3 weeks, then try it and see if you react. Repeat twice, to make sure the results are conclusive. It takes a while, but it's well worth it.
Just be careful we are not doctors and even if we are - we can't diagnose over the internet. If you have given up on your current doctor go to another one, or ask the doctor for a referral to specialists.
Salt sensitivity? (maybe tmi)
