Sodium in diet?

[sandramarie]

Was wondering about sodium in the diet and how it affects the dryness?  Yesterday I ate allot of popcorn and drank several diet sodas - just thinking about trying a little experiment and cut back on sodium and see if that makes any difference.  Before the diagnoses I quit diet sodas for several months and don't remember the dryness being as present.  (could be wishful thinking here)  In the past month I started up again and I am very aware of the dryness.
Also aren't colas and teas diuretics?  Wouldn't that work against the moisture balance?
I'm new here and maybe you all have already hashed this one out.  Any thoughts?
Sandy

[Linda196]

The dryness of a Sjoggie's mouth and eyes doesn't reflect systemic dehydration, although that can naturally make it worse. Even when we are over hydrated, our glands fail to produce the saliva and tears that normal glands produce. The cells of the mucosa, skin and other tissues can be properly hydrated, the blood chemistry can be balanced for electrolytes and the other markers of hydration, but our mouths and eyes are still dry. It's like having a full well and pipe system, but the tap is blocked up.

Granted, if, through the use of medication or other diuretic, we reduce the available fluid in the body, the glands have less to work with, but the goal of most diuretic therapy is to produce a fluid balance that is adequate to the body's needs, but not an overload. Unless we overreact to the diuretics in colas, coffee and tea, their effect pretty much balances the amount of fluid they come in, although alcohol seems to take more than it gives.

Salt, on the other hand, especially of applied directly to the oral tissues (as in popcorn and other salty snacks) has a direct chemical, drawing moisture from the tissues to the salt. Diet sodas most often contain chemical artificial sweeteners , and many people find that they have an adverse reaction to them, in one way or another. Diet sodas also contain high levels of sodium, which takes us back to the original issue. I've found that by keeping my intake of foods mostly fresh and all natural, I at least know that any symptoms I'm experiencing can't be blamed on artificial sweeteners or flavours, or preservatives.

Just remember that excessive amounts of anything can have an adverse effect....moderation in all things...even moderation!