Can High Sodium Intake Cause Muscle Cramps?

Posted on Thu, 21 May 2015

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Thu, 21 May 2015 Answered on

Sat, 6 Jun 2015 Last reviewed on

Question : Can high sodium intake cause muscle cramps/spasms?

Answered by Dr. Panagiotis Zografakis (-4 hours later)

Brief Answer:
normally no

Detailed Answer:
Hello,

the human body has mechanisms that excrete the excess sodium. This way - in a normal individual - increased sodium intake won't cause hypernatremia. Besides that, hypernatremia is not known for causing muscle cramps. It may cause muscle twitches though, that is partial and local involuntary muscle contractions that last for a moment.

Please keep in mind that increased sodium intake may result in heart failure decompensation and high blood pressure!

You can contact me again, if you'd like more information.

Kind Regards!

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar