Sodium is the chief cation found in extracellular fluid and plays important roles in blood pressure, acid-base balance, and cell permeability. The recommended daily intake is 5-10g, though hypertensive patients should aim for 1g. Sources include salt, foods, and some vegetables. Sodium is readily absorbed in the gut and excreted primarily in urine. Normal plasma levels are 135-145 mEq/L. Imbalances can cause hyponatremia or hypernatremia. Potassium is found intracellularly and is important for nerve impulse transmission and protein synthesis. Sources include bananas and potatoes. It is highly absorbed and excreted in urine. Normal plasma levels are 3.4-5
2. Sodium
Chief cation of extracellular fluid
50% present in bone
40% in extracellular fluid
10% in soft tissue
3. Biochemical function
Blood pressure
Sodium regulates the body’s acid base
balance
Necessary for cell permeability
Necessary for initiating and maintaining
heart beat
Sodium, meanwhile, allows your small
intestine to absorb amino acids, glucose
and water from the foods you eat
5. Sources
Common salt
Ingested food
Bread
Whole grains
Leafy vegetables
Nut
Eggs and milk
6. Absorption
Readily absorbed in the GIT
Little of it is found in feces <2%
In diarrhea, large quantities of sodium
is lost in feces
7. Plasma sodium
Normal conc. Is 135-145 mEq/l
Sodium is extra cellular cation therefore
blood cells contains less(35 mEq/l)
Excretion
Urine and less in feces
The conc. Is controlled by aldosterone antagonist
to ANP
8. Disease states
Hyponatremia.
serum sodium level falls below normal
sodium deficiency can cause muscle cramps
Causes
diarrhea,vomitting,chronic renal disease
Addison's disease
Also observed in edema
Manifestation of hyponatremia include
reduce blood pressure and congestive heart
failure
9. hypernatremia
Increase in serum sodium level
Symptoms
blood volume and blood pressure
Occur due to
1. Cushing’s syndrome
2. Prolonged administration of cortisone
3. Diabetes insipidus
4. Pregnancy placenta and steroid cause sodium
and water retention
11. Biochemical function
Intracellular osmotic pressure
Acid base balance
Pyruvate kinase k+ for optimal activity
Transmission of nerve impulse
Necessary for proper biosynthesis of protein
by ribosome's
Extracellular k+ influences cardiac muscle
activity
15. Excretion
Mainly through urine
Maintenance of body acid base balance
Influences potassium excretion
Aldosterone increase excretion of k
16. Disease states
Hypokalemia
Decrease k+ in serum
Occur due to
Cushing’s syndrome and prolonged cortisone
therapy
Iv administration of k+-free fluid
Diarrhea and vomiting
18. hyperkalemia
Increase in the concentration of serum potassium
observed in renal failure
Severe dehydration
Iv fluid with excess of potassium
Diabetic coma