Sea Salt

[steve60]

Hi all, I've been noting that several of the most recent threads, have at some point mentioned that Sea salt can be taken (in various forms) to help stop an episode of Afib. I'd be very interested to read if anyone has found this to be the case. I was prescribed Flecanide several years ago, but at one point they made it worse, so that was the end of the pill in the pocket solution for me, however Sea salt intrigues me.?

[Hidden]

I don't know, but I can say that I have constant ectopics and my heart wobbles all the time. They've tried various drugs on me and the only one that works is a class 1a sodium-blocker, and wow do they work. Now got a pulse that is almost too strong. So definitely a clear link between sodium and the ticker in my case.

Koll

[dedeottie]

And me too as flecanide is also a sodium channel blocker but doesn't that mean that more salt would make it worse. Surely our meds are designed to stop sodium(salt?) Starting the funny electrics. Just a thought. X

[BobD Volunteer]

Remember that the constant need to P when in AF (O K not everybody experiences this) is a result of the body getting rid of salt. Why add some more ??? There is an enzyme which the distressed heart secretes which causes this.

Bob

[Wightbaby in reply to BobD]

Cheers Bob D.....I am glad that has been confirmed, I thought it was caused by meds but wondered why it was only during an episode that this happened......when I mentioned the constant need to P at A&E I was told 'oo never heard that before' and they tested me for a urine infection!! And sent me home....despite the blood clot on my arm...which they also dismissed as an RSI!!!

Very little salt in my diet though????

[Hidden]

I think these drugs tend to ration/control the amount of sodium, not a complete block according to what I read. So if you reduce your salt intake, you may get a deficiency? I'm just guessing and talking, I haven't a clue. And to be honest the cardios told me they don't know which drugs will work, they just try till they get the right one, although they may have a shortlist. So my view for what it's worth Steve is that if it works for you, it works.

K

[Hidden]

loaded up Iodine medication or foods do alter the way your body functions but be aware If you are on Amiodarone you do not need to add extra sodium yet if like me when I had my Thyroid checked about 5 years ago which was apparently in normal range, I did consider sea salt as a healthier option to normal salt but I then discovered that seaweed (which is more nutricious) could be added to my food which maintained my thyroid without any medication, but since taking Amiodarone I dropped the seaweed. Its interesting to note that when I handed over my medication list including supplements etc No health professional suggested dropping seaweed or any sodium based foods. So I think its best to check the contents of your medications yourself. Unless you are working in very high temperatures, why do you need salt anyway.

[jennydog]

When I was pregnant with my first son, 33 years ago, my GP advised me to cut down on my salt intake. She said that "it holds water in the tissues." I stopped using salt in cooking and for sprinkling on food except where it's essential eg scrambled eggs.

I raised the question of frequent urine production some time ago on this forum and a number of people responded. I will post separately on this subject shortly.

I haven't tried to drink salty water as I suspected that my stomach wouldn't like it.

[steve60 in reply to jennydog]

Hi there, like you I cut salt out of my diet several years ago, I'm now wondering if there may be some sort of link, very interesting.

[Hidden in reply to steve60]

Just read this post . Makes you think because I cut out adding salt & avoiding salty foods over 30 years ago . Too much salt , particularly in soups, made me vomit. I have had AF on & off for 21 years & a quite chequered history of treatments-- It does make me wonder whether I might decide to try a teeny bit of salt ( marmite on toast? ) when I get a further attack.

Sandra

[Hidden]

Be cautious steve60, Holistic meds and ideas need to be studied well before used to our advantage. Magnesium is another one that's shown as a mineral that is supposed to help. I do understand the post from jeanjeanie, about giving it a go.and that we all have levels of A/F THAT DIFFER FROM OTHERS, But surely caution is needed.A word with the Doctor/Specialist is always the route to go, please do not experiment without information.