Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsNaCl in the BodyMedical UsesTypes of Sodium ChlorideWhen You Need MoreWhen You Need Less
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
NaCl in the Body
Medical Uses
Types of Sodium Chloride
When You Need More
When You Need Less
Sodium chloride (NaCl)is a key compound also known as salt. It consists of sodium and chloride atoms. When dissolved in body fluids or water, these minerals have an electric charge, becoming sodium ions and chloride ions. In ion form, they are also known aselectrolytes.
Sodium chloride is an important nutrient. When your sodium chloride level is too low, it must be increased to maintain normal body function. When it is too high, you should reduce it to prevent heart disease and other health problems.
Sodium chloride is also used in medical treatments to prevent symptoms ofdehydrationor overhydration. It can replace electrolytes lost as a result of disease, sweating, or other issues.
This article describes how sodium chloride works in your body and the ways it is used in treatments. It also explains when you may have to increase or decrease your salt intake.
FG Trade / Getty Images
Sodium Chloride in the Human Body
Your body does not produce sodium chloride. You obtain it from foods with naturally occurring salt, such as milk, meat, and shellfish, or foods with salt added as a seasoning or preservative. Extra sodium chloride is eliminated in perspiration and urine.
Each component of salt provides essential support for overall well-being. Sodium provides the following benefits:
Chloride makes key contributions to normal body function in the following ways:
Though most Americans consume about 3,400 milligrams (mg) of sodium daily, the American Heart Association recommends a daily sodium limit of 2,300 mg, with an ideal limit of 1,500 mg.
Americans typically consume too much sodium because it is commonly added to so many foods, especially processed foods such as bread, pizza, soups, and snacks like potato chips.
Sodium vs. Table SaltThe words “sodium” and “table salt” are often used to mean the same thing. However, they don’t. Sodium is just one component of table salt. Table salt is a combination of sodium and chloride. It occurs naturally or as an additive in some foods.
Sodium vs. Table Salt
The words “sodium” and “table salt” are often used to mean the same thing. However, they don’t. Sodium is just one component of table salt. Table salt is a combination of sodium and chloride. It occurs naturally or as an additive in some foods.
Sodium Chloride Medical Uses
Sodium chloride is mixed with water to create a saline solution, which is used in different medical applications.
Injections
Sodium chloride injections are used to treat dehydration and replace electrolytes and water. The solutions can be mixed with sugar if necessary. Though injections are available in syringes, they are typically administered asintravenous (IV) dripsbecause of the amount of liquid required to achieve results.
Purpose:Replace electrolytes and water to counterdehydration
Side effects:
Oral Tablets
Sodium chloride oral tablets are used as electrolyte replenishers for salt lost as a result of fever, hot weather, or vigorous exercise.
The tablets can also supplement salt levels in people withcystic fibrosisfor whom dehydration poses a severe problem. In people with cystic fibrosis, dehydration can lead to thicker lung mucus, which increases difficulty in expelling secretions and causes potential gastrointestinal blockages.
Purpose:
Saline Flush Injections
Saline flush injections flush an IV or catheter after a medication is administered.
Nasal Irrigation or Nasal Drops
Saline nasal irrigation spraysor nose drops to relieve congestion and dry nasal tissue can be purchased without a prescription or made at home.
Side effects:Stinging or dryness in your nose, usually from preservatives
Cleaning Wounds
Saline is the preferred cleanser for most wounds because it is always considered safe. Research indicates it is preferable to soap and water.
Eye Drops
Sodium Chloride Inhalation
Sodium chloride inhalation is used with anebulizer, a small machine that turns liquid medicine into a mist that is inhaled through a mask or mouthpiece. The medicine passes from your mouth to your lungs. It is often used to administer asthma medication or treatments for chronic lung diseases.
Purpose:To diluteasthma medicinefor nebulization
Sodium chloride for medical treatment comes in many forms and strengths, based on its use. Formulations come in numerous brand names as well as generics.
Sodium chloride injections:
Sodium chloride concentrate for dilution before IV or nebulizer administration:
Sodium chloride oral:
Sodium chloride inhalation:
Sodium chloride wound cleaning:
Sodium chloride nasal spray:
Sodium chloride ophthalmic:
When Do People Need More Sodium Chloride?
You only need a small amount of sodium chloride, about 500 milligrams daily, to help your body function normally. Though most people have too much salt in their diet, consuming inadequate amounts of salt can also cause problems.
If you develophyponatremia(low sodium levels in your blood), you may need more sodium chloride. Hyponatremia is defined as a blood serum sodium concentration of less than 135 milliequivalents per liter (mEq/L). Inadequate sodium levels in the blood can affect blood pressure and muscle and nerve function.
Inadequate sodium levels allow extra water to move into cells, causing swelling and organ malfunction. Hyponatremia doesn’t always cause symptoms unless the blood sodium level drops very low or the decline occurs very quickly.
Symptoms of hyponatremia include:
When sodium levels fall extremely low, the outcome can be dangerous, especially in your brain, where there is little room for swelling tissue to expand. The following severe symptoms of hyponatremia may indicate a life-threatening situation:
How Much Sodium You Need Per Day
When Do People Need Less Sodium Chloride?
Most people in the United States consume too much sodium chloride. This can lead tohypernatremia(an abnormally high level of sodium in the blood). Hypernatremia is defined as a blood serum sodium concentration greater than 145 mEq/L.
Sodium attracts water. Too much sodium in the blood causes water to be transferred out of your cells and into your blood, diluting it. You may need less sodium chloride if you have signs of hypernatremia, which include the following:
You may need less salt if you have any of the following risk factors that lead to hypernatremia:
6 Tips for Lowering Your Salt Intake
Summary
Sodium chloride, or salt, is a compound that contains sodium and chloride. These nutrients provide support to many key body functions such as cellular health and blood pressure control.
Most people consume too much salt because it is often added to processed and prepared food to season and preserve it. Lower dietary sodium chloride can help reduce severe effects from high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, and other severe problems.
When you can’t consume the lowest healthy level of sodium chloride, you may need supplementation. This can be done with oral tablets or IV injection, based on the severity of the problem. Sodium chloride is also used in treatments for your eyes, nose, and skin.
Talk to a healthcare provider about the amount of sodium chloride that you can safely consume. Factors such as your age, chronic health problems, and overall health can affect this amount.
27 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
National Library of Medicine.Sodium chloride.
University of Hawaii.Weird science: salt is essential to life.
Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health.Salt and sodium.
Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health.Chloride.
American Heart Association.Shaking the salt habit to lower high blood pressure.
U.S. Food and Drug Administration.Sodium in your diet.
U.S. Food and Drug Administration.Sodium chloride — sodium chloride injection, solution.
Columbia University Irving Medical Center.Sodium chloride oral tablet.
Hartford Hospital.Salt replacement with cystic fibrosis.
U.S. Food and Drug Administration.Sodium chloride injection USP 0.9% prefilled syringes, for intravascular use only.
Abdullah B, Periasamy C, Ismail R.Nasal irrigation as treatment in sinonasal symptoms relief: a review of its efficacy and clinical applications.Indian J Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg.2019;71(Suppl 3):1718–26. doi:10.1007/s12070-017-1070-0
Michigan Medicine.Saline nasal sprays and irrigation.
Fluid Lavage of Open Wounds (FLOW) Investigators.A trial of wound irrigation in the initial management of open fracture wounds.NEJM, 2015;373(27):2629-2641. doi:10.1056/NEJMoa1508502
Lehigh Valley Health Network.Wound cleansing.
Grevis Pharmaceuticals Pvt. Ltd.Sodium chloride eye drops.
American Lung Association.How to use a nebulizer.
PDR.BD Posiflush sterile field normal saline.
Renal and Urology News.Hyponatremia.
Farquhar WB, Edwards DG, Jukovitz CT, Weintraub WS.Dietary sodium and health: more than just blood pressure.J Am Coll Cardiol. 2015 Mar 17;65(10):1042–50. doi:10.1016/j.jacc.2014.12.039
National Kidney Foundation.Hyponatremia (low sodium level in the blood).
MedlinePlus.Low blood sodium.
Renal and Urology News.Hypernatremia.
Piedmont Healthcare.Why you should cut back on salt.
UpToDate.Patient education: low-sodium diet (beyond the basics).
Meet Our Medical Expert Board
Share Feedback
Was this page helpful?Thanks for your feedback!What is your feedback?OtherHelpfulReport an ErrorSubmit
Was this page helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
What is your feedback?OtherHelpfulReport an ErrorSubmit
What is your feedback?
