Salt... Again

[Maurya]

Originally Posted by mellowsong

Do you urinate excessively?
Is your thirst extreme?
Does your pulse jump up when you stand up?
Does your blood pressure fall when you stand up or you get dizzy?
Are symptoms worse in hot weather or when you get hot?

Thanks a lot, Mellowsong for this really interesting information. I vaguely remember having read about these symptoms earlier, but had not reviewed them until you mentioned them. Unfortunately (or fortunately) none of them would seem to apply to me. Nonetheless, I now am curious as to what one would do or should do if there were problems with the adrenals or the pituitary? I am asking, in addition to plain curiosity, as someone might find that they can identify with these symptoms. You really are a wealth of information for the rest of us!

[Reesacat]

I would think if it was a problen with adrenals/pituitary your history would be differnt-you would have this problem year round.
But since it is only in summer probably due to heat at work-what temp does it get inside the boilers?

[Maurya]

Originally Posted by Reesacat

what temp does it get inside the boilers?

Actually, subsequent to having a conversation with a neighbor, I have obtained a thermometer that I intend to bring into a boiler with me tomorrow. It is not exactly the appropriate type of thermometer, so this will be an experiment. Stay tuned!

[mellowsong]

Originally Posted by Maurya

Thanks a lot, Mellowsong for this really interesting information. I vaguely remember having read about these symptoms earlier, but had not reviewed them until you mentioned them. Unfortunately (or fortunately) none of them would seem to apply to me. Nonetheless, I now am curious as to what one would do or should do if there were problems with the adrenals or the pituitary? I am asking, in addition to plain curiosity, as someone might find that they can identify with these symptoms. You really are a wealth of information for the rest of us!

Wow that's an incredibly complicated answer and no way to answer it all here, lol. Most of the time YOU have to figure things out for yourself, get the tests done yourself, then try to convince a doc to listen to you. If you suspect adrenal problems, the best thing to do is a salivary cortisol test with hormones (cortisol done at least 4X/day) The rhythm of cortisol production is just as important as the number. A good naturopath or chiropractor can help you get the tests and most have protocols to restore proper function. Before taking even supplements though you have to know if you are low or high cortisol. Both occur in adrenal fatigue and many symptoms overlap. There are good natural treatments for adrenal fatigue but sometimes, if things have progressed very far, natural isn't enough and some people will require hydrocortisone (exactly the same thing your adrenals make) temporarily to allow the adrenals to recover.

There is something called the HPA axis: Hypothalamus/Pituitary/Adrenal. Anything that affects one of those affects the rest. Just one example: If your hypothalamus doesn't produce enough of the hormone that tells the pituitary to produce the hormone to tell the adrenals to make cortisol, you will have adrenal insufficiency...just the same as if you had Addison's disease and your adrenals weren't working. Any link kinked or broken in that chain stops everything. Same thing with thyroid. Your thyroid could be just fine, but the pituitary not make enough of the hormone that tells the thyroid to make thyroid hormone so you end up hypothyroid. The same thing applies when the pituitary or hypothalamus over secrete. Like I said, way to complicated, lol.

Anyway, for some more ideas and where to start, read this article:
http://www.hawkeshealth.net/communit...light=Eighteen

Pituitary problems are a different story. Most of the time more than one hormone is affected. You really need a knowledgeable endocrinologist to figure out pituitary problems. Honestly, I figured it out for myself and it took 11 months of me insisting on certain tests etc to get an endo to agree I have a problem. I have what is called partial diabetes insipidus and am treated with a nasal spray synthetic vasopressin (the hormone I don't make sufficient quantities of) If I wasn't a nurse with a degree in pharmacology, I'd probably still be drinking 6 to 8 quarts of water a day and peeing out more than that. For almost a year they tried to tell me it was psychological.

I know this isn't a very good answer but it's really impossible to cover here.

[Maurya]

Originally Posted by mellowsong

I know this isn't a very good answer but it's really impossible to cover here.

This is a wonderful answer! When I get some time, I will follow the links, and allow one thing to lead to another, as we all know how that goes. You have given the curious amongst us a terrifically good start!

[Maurya]

Update: The thermometer experiment went bust, as I had failed to take notice of the dead battery in this small digital thermometer that I tried to use. The results would have been less than relevant, however, as the day I had the large water tube boiler was a very cool day for this summer. The ambient temperature was no higher than 90 degrees F (about 32 C) that day, it was fairly cool and comfortable inside that particular boiler.

So my conclusion involves the following: As my situation is an occupational hazard, and as my work week generally is only five days, and as not every work day involves a large boiler internal inspection, and as not every day in the summer has a temperature higher than 100 F, I think that I should just drink my morning smoothie with grapefruit and pineapple juice on those days. A morning smoothie having high protein and high carbohydrate just will not kill my when consumed only occasionally, and when followed by a physically strenuous day (boiler diving). So I now have resolved just to drop my carbophobia and just replenish my electrolytes naturally, in proportion to the necessity for increased water intake.

I so do not regret stirring up this little tempest, as I have learned so much along the way about the human body and its unbelievably complex endocrine system. Great appreciation to all from me!

[Reesacat]

You didn't stir up a tempest, Maurya-you asked some very intelligent questions and we had a great discussion.

Sounds like a sensible plan to me

[EmmaPeel]

No tempest here! Good discussion. The manner in which you chose to manage your hydration situation is unique to you, which is exactly as it should be. Information is great, but how you apply it should always be contingent on your individual situation ....no one here can ever be in your body but you!