TCM clinic: When sodium is too low in the body

Q. I am a 73-year-old man suffering from hyponatraemia, or low sodium in the body. This is due to the retention of fluid.

There is little or no perspiration after I exercise in the morning.

I experience nocturia or frequent urination at night.

I am averse to the cold and I have to go to the toilet to ease myself more often when I am in a cold place or when the weather is cold.

My doctors' advice is to cut down on the intake of fluid.

What can be done to solve my problem?

A. In traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), hyponatraemia is probably due to deficiencies in the heart, liver, spleen and kidneys.

In TCM, a good flow of blood and qi (energy) is needed for good health.

The spleen transforms nutrients from food into blood and qi.

When the spleen is weak - due to tiredness, alcohol consumption, irregular meals and a poor diet of cold, oily and spicy food - it transforms the nutrients into phlegm and "dampness" instead.

These slow down water metabolism and trigger hyponatraemia, water retention, scanty urination, loose stool, bloated stomach and a yellowish complexion.

The heart controls the mind. Blood and qi are the main foundations for mental activity.

If blood and qi are insufficient to nourish the heart - due to ageing, anaemia and poor spleen function - it triggers hyponatraemia with congestive heart failure. The symptoms include palpitations, sleep disorders and fatigue.

The liver harmonises the emotions, regulates qi circulation and stores blood.

When the liver is weak - due to insufficient blood or negative emotions, such as anxiety, fear, anger or depression - it slows down blood and qi circulation and creates "heat" and "fire" in the liver.

These can dry up body fluid and trigger hyponatraemia, fever, fatigue, irritability, a dry mouth and throat, and excessive sweating.

If the "heat" accumulates for a prolonged period, it creates blood stasis. This further weakens the spleen and triggers hyponatraemia with liver cirrhosis. The symptoms include a hard, bloated abdomen, pain in the ribs and abdomen, and black stool.

The kidneys play an essential role in metabolising and distributing water. The distribution of water relies on warmth from yang in the kidneys. A balance of yang and yin, which is linked to coldness and moisture, is needed for good health.

If yang in the kidneys is insufficient - due to ageing, chronic disease, overwork and excessive sexual activities - it triggers hyponatraemia, water retention, either scanty or frequent urination, palpitations, fast breathing and aching in the lower back.

STRENGTHEN THE ORGANS

Chinese herbal medicine, acupuncture and cupping (placing heated cups on the skin to improve blood and qi flow) can help improve your condition by strengthening your organs and dispelling pathogenic (disease-causing) factors.

Indian bread, umbrella polypore, officinal magnolia bark, areca seed, coix seed, amomum tsao-ko fruit, dried ginger, largehead atractylodes rhizome, oriental water plantain rhizome and costus root strengthen the spleen.

Cassia twig, Chinese magnolia vine fruit, dwarf lilyturf tuber, ginseng, milkvetch root, red sage root and liquorice root processed with honey strengthen the heart and increase the amount of qi.

Barbat skullcap, areca peel, immature orange fruit, nutgrass galingale rhizome, Chinese thorowax root and white peony root strengthen the liver and enhance qi circulation.

Common anemarrhena rhizome, solomon's seal rhizome, kudzu vine root, snake gourd root and rehmannia root increase the amount of yin in the liver and reduce "heat" and "fire" there.

Cassia bark, malaytea scurfpea fruit, dodder seed and prepared common monkshood daughter root increase the amount of yang in the kidneys.

You should limit your water intake to below one litre daily and eat small meals of easily digested food to enhance your digestive system.

Avoid negative emotions and get sufficient rest and sleep. Engaging in exercise, such as brisk walking and taiji, helps enhance qi and blood circulation.

MS LIM LAY BENG,

traditional Chinese medicine practitioner at YS Healthcare TCM Clinic at The Adelphi

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