Conditions Associated with Salt Craving (Salt Appetite)

 

Adrenal insufficiency:

(1) Addison's disease

 

Polyuria with salt loss (renal):

(1) Bartter's syndrome

(2) Gitelman's syndrome

(3) pseudohypoaldosteronism

 

Excessive salt loss in sweat:

(1) excessive sweating

(2) cystic fibrosis

 

Other:

(1) rarely iron deficiency (a form of pica)

(2) congestive heart failure (? hypo-osmolality associated with water retention)

(3) normokalemic periodic paralysis

 

Differential diagnosis:

(1) cultural or racial factors

(2) taste preference

 

Measures to consider in the initial evaluation of the patient:

(1) blood pressure (many metabolic or renal causes are associated with hypotension)

(2) salt intake diary

(3) 24 hour urine volume and electrolytes

(4) sources of obvious sweat loss

(5) hydration status