Cathy- I'm no doctor and I'm not trying to give you medical advice. However, I am diabetic (type 2) and I use some salt in my diet. My blood pressure is low and I don't retain fluids which would be the two main reasons for restricting salt in the diet of a diabetic (or anyone else for that matter). Salt intake results in fluid retention and fluid retention can cause blood pressure to rise--that is really the only reason (as far as I know) to restrict salt. If sodium is low that can be just as much of a problem as if you have too much. One of the worst culprits in robbing our bodies of sodium and making the level too low is taking prescription diuretics such as lasix or hydroclorothiazide (hct) or diazide or the like. If you mother-in-law is on one of these drugs you might talk to the doctor about changing to a different type of blood pressure med. And you might talk to the doctor about allowing a little salt in the diet too. Also...someone said that sea salt has as much sodium as table salt--that isn't really true, but it does have some. So, while is it fine for some people it may not be ok for someone on a severely sodium restricted diet. Campbell's soup just reduced the sodium in their tomato soup by switching to sea salt. Joan In a message dated 11/14/2009 10:23:52 A.M. Eastern Standard Time, pigeonrock@embarqmail.com writes: Anyone know if your a diabetic & your suffering from low salt, what you can do? My mother-in-law said she's not feeling well, & went to the doctor recently, but wanted to know what I can do for her. The doctor is keeping her in his care, for sure! But still worried. Would anyone know? Thanks, Cathy

Joan,    My doctor has me on hydroclorothiazide (HCTZ) for high blood pressure. HCTZ does not effect the sodium in our bodies, like other diruretics. Also not needed with it is Potassium.   This is what my and my mothers doc's have told us.   tracy --- On Sat, 11/14/09, JYoung6180 wrote: If sodium is low that can be just as much of a problem as if you have too  much. One of the worst culprits in robbing our bodies of sodium and making the  level too low is taking prescription diuretics such as lasix or  hydroclorothiazide (hct) or diazide or the like. If you mother-in-law is on one  of these drugs you might talk to the doctor about changing to a different type of blood pressure med. And you might talk to the doctor about allowing a little  salt in the diet too.

>From the www at http://www.rxlist.com/dyazide-drug.htm : Hyperkalemia: Abnormal elevation of serum potassium levels (greater than or equal to 5.5 mEq/liter) can occur with all potassium-sparing diuretic combinations, including DYAZIDE. Hyperkalemia is more likely to occur in patients with renal impairment and diabetes (even without evidence of renal impairment), and in the elderly or severely ill. Since uncorrected hyperkalemia may be fatal, serum potassium levels must be monitored at frequent intervals especially in patients first receiving DYAZIDE, when dosages are changed or with any illness that may influence renal function. I take HCTZ in the form Triamterene. My doctor still wants me tested for potassium loss if I start taking it every day. I can always tell when I have lost potassium because I get very bad cramps in my feet and legs. When that starts occurring, I take potassium and magnesium supplements for a couple of days and it takes care of the problem. My doctor was happy with that answer. Hugs, Mary -----Original Message----- From: padutch-life-bounces@rootsweb.com [mailto:padutch-life-bounces@rootsweb.com] On Behalf Of Tracy Sent: Saturday, November 14, 2009 12:21 PM To: padutch-life@rootsweb.com Subject: Re: [PD-LIFE] low-sodium diet Joan,    My doctor has me on hydroclorothiazide (HCTZ) for high blood pressure. HCTZ does not effect the sodium in our bodies, like other diruretics. Also not needed with it is Potassium.   This is what my and my mothers doc's have told us.   tracy --- On Sat, 11/14/09, JYoung6180 wrote: If sodium is low that can be just as much of a problem as if you have too  much. One of the worst culprits in robbing our bodies of sodium and making the  level too low is taking prescription diuretics such as lasix or  hydroclorothiazide (hct) or diazide or the like. If you mother-in-law is on one  of these drugs you might talk to the doctor about changing to a different type of blood pressure med. And you might talk to the doctor about allowing a little  salt in the diet too. ------------------------------- To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to PADUTCH-LIFE-request@rootsweb.com with the word 'unsubscribe' without the quotes in the subject and the body of the message