Salt craving can sometimes be caused by a serious medical condition, such as adrenal insufficiency or Bartter's syndrome.
Adrenal insufficiency
Adrenal insufficiency (Addison's disease) is a disorder that occurs when your body doesn't produce enough of certain hormones. In Addison's disease, the adrenal glands, located just above the kidneys, produce too little cortisol and, often, too little aldosterone. These hormones regulate important body functions and help the body respond to stress. Addison's disease can cause a salt craving that's new, ongoing and excessive.
Signs and symptoms of Addison's disease include:
- Craving salt
- Muscle aches and weakness
- Severe tiredness and weakness (fatigue)
- Nausea and stomach pain
- Weight loss
- Low blood pressure
- Darkening of the skin (hyperpigmentation)
Bartter's syndrome
Salt craving can sometimes be a symptom of a rare kidney disorder called Bartter's syndrome.
Seek medical attention
You'll likely want to have a health care provider evaluate your husband's salt cravings, especially if he has other symptoms. Without a condition that causes salt (sodium) loss, such as Addison's disease or Bartter's syndrome, eating too much salt generally isn't good for you. Eating too much salt can increase your risk of developing high blood pressure and cause swelling from holding too much fluid in the body.
Show References
- Husebye ES, et al. Adrenal insufficiency. The Lancet. 2021; doi:10.1016/S0140-6736(21)00136-7.
- Konrad M, et al. Diagnosis and management of Bartter syndrome: Executive summary of the consensus and recommendations from the European Rare Kidney Disease Reference Network Working Group for Tubular Disorders. Kidney International. 2021; doi:10.1016/j.kint.2020.10.035.
- Heart disease: Sodium. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/heartdisease/sodium.htm. Accessed Feb. 3, 2022.
- Adrenal insufficiency and Addison's disease. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/endocrine-diseases/adrenal-insufficiency-addisons-disease. Accessed Feb. 3, 2022.
- Nippoldt TB (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic. Feb. 8, 2022.
Original article: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/addisons-disease/expert-answers/salt-craving/faq-20057988