Baking soda, or sodium bicarbonate has wide range of uses, starting from absorbing the odors in your fridge, up to cleaning your bathroom and your pantry for baking.
The monosodium salt of carbonic acid possesses electrolyte and alkalizing properties (1). This extremely cheap product that comes for less than a dollar price, offers impressive feats which might be even life saving for those injured in earthquakes.
Being trapped under rubble in cases of earthquake often causes internal bleeding, broken bones and other health risks. According to statistics, up to 15% of the earthquake survivors which are hospitalized experience traumatic rhabdomyolysis, or crush syndrome (2).
Crushed muscle sends a myoglobin flood into the bloodstream. This protein helps the oxygen movement in the muscles. Normally, myoglobin which winds up in the bloodstream bounds to other proteins, thus becoming too large for the filtration system of the kidneys (tubules). However, in a crush injury, there’s a lot of myoglobin which enters the bloodstream so there’s a lack of protein to bind with it. In other words, the myoglobin eventually blocks the tubules in the kidneys.
The lack of water further aggravates the buildup of myoglobin in the kidneys. This often ends up in kidney failure. As STAT reports (3), the punch on the kidneys makes them unable to filter out acid, making the blood highly acidic, and pouring of potassium from the cells into the veins. Kidneys are not capable of filtering this too, so excess potassium diverts the electrical currents which maintain the regular heart beating.
Being trapped under rubble in cases of earthquake often causes internal bleeding, broken bones and other health risks. According to statistics, up to 15% of the earthquake survivors which are hospitalized experience traumatic rhabdomyolysis, or crush syndrome (2).
Crushed muscle sends a myoglobin flood into the bloodstream. This protein helps the oxygen movement in the muscles. Normally, myoglobin which winds up in the bloodstream bounds to other proteins, thus becoming too large for the filtration system of the kidneys (tubules). However, in a crush injury, there’s a lot of myoglobin which enters the bloodstream so there’s a lack of protein to bind with it. In other words, the myoglobin eventually blocks the tubules in the kidneys.
The lack of water further aggravates the buildup of myoglobin in the kidneys. This often ends up in kidney failure. As STAT reports (3), the punch on the kidneys makes them unable to filter out acid, making the blood highly acidic, and pouring of potassium from the cells into the veins. Kidneys are not capable of filtering this too, so excess potassium diverts the electrical currents which maintain the regular heart beating.
Baking Soda to the Rescue
Baking soda is usually given to earthquake survivors as an aid to dissolve myoglobin in the blood and lower the blood acidity. Often they are given a baking soda solution even before being extricated from the ruins. STAT reports (4) the statement of the chairman of emergency medicine for Steward Health Care Network in the Boston area, Dr. Mark Pearlmutter. He recommends people giving fluid and then bicarbonate to earthquake survivors while still being trapped. This decreases the complications of crush syndrome, as stated by The Journal of Emergency Medicine (5). Besides baking soda solution, intravenous saline solution is also used for prevention of dehydration, and dissolving of myoglobin buildup. A research conducted on 9 earthquake survivors who received a solution of the sugar alcohol called mannitol, and bicarbonate in the hospital, showed that they have all survived with none of them getting permanent damage on the kidney, but only 2 developing acute kidney failure (6).Mixed Data on the Baking Soda Use for Crush Syndrome
Other researches, like one published in The Journal of Trauma, showed that the need for dialysis, rates of kidney failure, or mortality in patients with crush-syndrome who received mannitol-bicarbonate solutions were the same as those who didn’t receive the solution (7). The Emergency Medical Journal has published another systematic review which didn’t manage to find any high-quality proof to support the bicarbonate infusions use over saline alone (8). Nevertheless, the Journal of Emergency Medicine authors say the use of bicarbonate-mannitol solution in crush syndrome should continue as it might be helpful, expect further studies proves the opposite, or a patient has a contraindication (9).Other Medical Uses for Baking Soda
The natural mineral natron contains nahcolite- the natural form of baking soda. People have used natron ever since the ancient times. For example, the Egyptians used it for cleaning purposes. But, even in 1846, John Dwight and Dr. Austin Church started to produce and sell the compound known as baking soda. By the 1860, baking soda was generally known as a cooking additive featured in published cookbooks (10). However, its versatility was expanded by the 1920s, and already in 1930s was known as a proven medical agent. Even nowadays over-the-counter antacids include some bicarbonate form in their content. Baking soda neutralizes the stomach acid immediately, helps relieve ingestion, heartburn, and ulcer pain. The typical dosage of baking soda is ½ a teaspoon completely dissolved in a glass of water. The solution should be taken every 2 hours but not more than 7 times in a 24-hour period (if you are over 60, don’t take it more than 3 times) (11). Use this remedy only as an occasional treatment, and not chronic. Have in mind that excessive amounts might distort the electrolyte and acid balance (12).Don’t Try This at Home - ‘Soda Doping’
Many distance runners take baking soda capsules, or soda doping, before races to improve their performance as it is believed that it provides similar results like carbohydrate loading. Baking soda is an alkali substance that can raise the blood’s pH, thus helping the offset of muscle-produced acidity during intense activity. Activities that cause rapid production of lactic acid in the muscles that can be then offset by taking baking soda are vigorous running and swimming. Although not recommended to try it at home, this tactic has been shown to enhance the speed of swimmers (13).3 Reasons to Keep Baking Soda in Your Medicine Cabinet
Besides being very cheap, baking soda is a safe remedy for numerous minor injuries, like:1. Poison Ivy and Insect Bites
To relieve the itching in case of insect bites, apply a baking soda-water paste on the affected area. You can as well rub baking soda powder on the insect bite. This treatment is also useful for poison ivy and itchy rashes. Baking soda neutralizes irritants and toxins on the surface of the skin, thus relieving itching and minor skin irritation Stat.2. Splinter Removal
Soak the affected area with a baking soda-water solution (1 tablespoon in a small glass of water). Do this twice daily, and you will see noticeable results after few days.3. Sunburn
Soak your body in a lukewarm bath with one-half cup of baking soda. Instead of toweling off the excess baking soda, allow your skin naturally dry when you get out of the bath. This will provide an extra relief. Other option is to apply cool compress with baking soda-water solution directly on the affected skin area.Add Baking Soda to Your Personal Hygiene Routine
Baking soda added in toothpaste improves the plaque removal (15). The mild abrasive action it provides helps remove plaque, clean, polish, and deodorize the teeth (16). Blend baking soda and sea salt in the ratio 6:1, for about half a minute. Transfer the mixture from the blender to a container, and your baking soda gum and toothpaste is ready. Place a small amount of the paste on your gums with the help of your index finger. Rub the paste on your gums and teeth, from the upper outside gums to the upper inside parts, and then on the lower outside parts of the gum to the lower inside parts. Spit out any excess paste in your mouth. Let it act for 25 minutes, and then rinse your mouth. You can also sprinkle some baking soda on your armpits to use it as a natural deodorant. Other option is to make a paste from baking soda and water. If you need a revitalizing foot soak, just add three tablespoons of sodium bicarbonate to a tub of warm water. For an additional exfoliation, use a baking soda paste to scrub your feet. You can also use it as a face and body exfoliator. For that purpose, mix 1 part of water with 3 parts of baking soda, and you will get an inexpensive, natural, and gentle enough paste to use it as a face and body exfoliator every day. As you can see, baking soda has wide range of uses. If you use it for some other purpose not mentioned in this post, feel free to share it in the comments. Via Dr.Mercola | STAT News
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