Sodium Chloride: Effects, Uses & Risks

Sodium chloride is also known as table salt. This agent is used as sodium chloride solution (saline) or tablets to compensate for a chloride, fluid, or sodium deficiency. Sodium chloride is used as a volume substitute in cases of severe blood loss.

What is sodium chloride?

Sodium chloride is used as sodium chloride solution (saline) or tablets to compensate for a chloride, fluid, or sodium deficiency. Sodium chloride (table salt or salt) is obtained as a sodium salt from hydrochloric acid. The chemical formula is NaCI. A saline solution is administered in the event of a high fluid loss associated with a deficiency of chloride or sodium. A sodium chloride solution can compensate for high blood loss by administering it systemically to the patient through a drip. Sodium chloride solutions are also used topically for what is known as dry eye or to decongest the cornea after an eye exam. Sodium chloride is also used to moisten dressings and cloths and for wound treatment. Nasal rinsing as an adjunctive therapy for sinusitis and rhinitis has an irritation-relieving effect on the mucous membranes. Furthermore, the active ingredient is used as a carrier solution for other drugs.

Pharmacological action

Fluid balance and sodium levels in the human organism are closely related. If the sodium concentration deviates from the norm, this negative value simultaneously affects the fluid content. An increased sodium value means an increase in fluid content, a decreased sodium content leads to a decrease in the amount of fluid in the body. By supplying a sodium chloride solution, a deficiency of sodium is compensated and fluid is supplied to the body in parallel. At the same time, an existing chloride deficiency is compensated. Chloride plays an important role in the acid-base balance and protects the organism from over-acidification. Sodium chloride has a slight disinfecting effect and is suitable as a wound dressing. In diseases of the kidneys or digestive tract, a sodium chloride solution balances the fluid and electrolyte balance, since diarrhea, vomiting, and reduced food and fluid intake can cause mineral deficiency and dehydration (dehydration). Another application is cleansing (enema) of the rectum to cleanse individual bowel segments prior to colonoscopy or surgical removal. Enemas are used to facilitate bowel movements in patients with digestive disorders, as they thin the stool and stimulate bowel movement. The saline solution must be isotonic, otherwise the enema unintentionally removes or adds fluid to the circulation through the bowel. Saline solutions are matched to the salinity of the blood plasma, plasma osmolality. This is an osmotic concentration. The osmotic components of a saline solution refer to the dehydrating effect. In medicine, 0.9 percent isotonic saline solutions are predominantly used. For these sodium chloride solutions, nine grams of common salt are dissolved in one liter of water. A preferred solution is the Ringer’s solution, which contains sodium chloride, sodium hydrogen carbonate, potassium chloride and calcium chloride. Furthermore, there are 10- and 45-percent hypertonic saline solutions.

Medical application and use

Patients who have suffered high blood loss, such as during surgery or after an accident, are given a 0.9 percent sodium chloride solution to replenish blood volume. Sodium chloride is dissolved in water and administered intravenously to the patient. This solution is also called isotonic or physiological saline if its components have the same composition as blood. This isotonic property is important when giving an infusion to replenish the body fluid and blood without affecting the blood volume in terms of its composition with sodium, chloride and water. Ancient people treated infected wounds by sprinkling saline directly into the wound site, which was accompanied by severe pain due to the burning sensation. The saying “sprinkle salt in the open wound” also goes back to this ancient practice. Salt has a strong osmotic (water-withdrawing) effect on the cells and destroys pathogens such as bacteria and microorganisms that accumulate around and in the wound.The disadvantage is that not only the pathogens but also the affected cells are destroyed. Modern medicine uses sodium chloride to moisten wound dressings, which are placed on the sore areas to promote wound healing by preventing the penetration and/or spread of germs. Sodium chloride is also used in spa treatments for brine baths or bath additives. Spending time at the sea is healthy for all people suffering from respiratory organ ailments such as bronchitis, pneumonia, chronic cough or sinusitis. Inhalers with salt aerosol provide relief. The inhaled active ingredient moistens the mucous membranes of the respiratory tract and reduces irritation caused by flu-like infections, irritable cough, hoarseness and asthma. Mucus is loosened and the patient is able to cough up. Nasal sprays with sodium chloride are also a useful treatment method. Sodium chloride can also be supplied to the body as tablets in the form of dietary supplements. These are sold, for example, under the brand names “astorincardio Tabs K”, “Swedish tablets” or as “DHU Schuessler Salts No. 8 Natrium chloratum”. Tablets of common salt can be a useful dietary supplement during regular physical exertion with heavy sweating. Also during a stay in tropical regions, tablets of common salt can be a useful dietary supplement due to their fluid regulating and slightly disinfecting properties. One tablet contains 225 mg of sodium chloride. Adults take four tablets daily, which provide 69.34 percent of the daily requirement. The maximum dose should not be exceeded. Since improper use can upset sodium and fluid balance, users should consult a physician or pharmacist for advice before taking.

Risks and side effects

There are no restrictions on topical use for wound and nasal irrigation. Contraindications include elevated blood sodium levels, excess blood chloride, and hyperhydration states with dried up or decreased urine output. Careful risk-benefit analysis is performed in patients with decreased blood potassium concentration, severe sodium deficiency, cardiac muscle weakness, water retention in tissues, pulmonary edema (water lung), severe renal dysfunction, body acidosis, and seizures in pregnancy complications. If the patient is already being treated with cortisone (glucocorticoids) or the brain hormone ATCH, sodium chloride solution should not be administered. There are no concerns during pregnancy or lactation. In children, the physician decides on the dose of sodium chloride solution. It is based on the child’s electrolyte and fluid needs. Possible side effects include blood chloride excess, blood sodium excess, volume loading, vein irritation, vein wall inflammation, increased urination, and diarrhea.