sudden salt craving

MY BEST FRIEND AND ROOM MATE, ANNE, HAS CHF. SHE ALSO HAS A VERY LARGE MASS ON ONE OF HER KIDNEYS THAT IS NOT GROWING OR CHANGING AT THE MOMENT.  IN THE PAST 2 WEEKS, ANNE HAS NOT BEEN ABLE TO STOP EATING LEMONS AND SALT.  SOMETIMES, SHE WILL JUST PUT THE SALT IN HER HAND AND EAT IT.  SHE EATS 2 OR 3 LEMONS A DAY, EVERY DAY, WITH A TON OF SALT ON THEM, IN ADDITION TO THE SALT SHE EATS BY ITSELF.  I AM VERY WORRIED ABOUT HER.  THIS CANNOT BE GOOD FOR HER CHF!  I MENTIONED THE MASS ON HER LIVER IN CASE SOMEONE HAS BEEN IN A SIMILAR SITUATION AND THE LIVER MASS HAD SOMETHING TO DO WITH IT.

I TRY TO MAKE HER STOP BUT SHE SAYS SHE CANNOT HELP IT, IT'S A VERY STRONG CRAVING SHE HAS FOR THE SALT.  AT THE MOMENT, HER LEGS ARE NOT AS SWOLLEN AS I HAVE SEEN THEM IN THE PAST, BUT I FEEL LIKE I WILL WAKE UP ONE MORNING AND HER LEGS WILL LOOKE LIKE NAVY TORPEDOES, OR WORSE........ IF ANYONE CAN HELP SHED SOME LIGHT ON THIS SALT THING AND HOW TO FIX IT, PLEASE SHARE IT.  I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO TO HELP HER AT THIS POINT.

THANKS,
DEE

[kenkeith]

Salt craving can be a symptom of a variety of mild to serious disorders, diseases or conditions.  A serious condition, disease or disorder, such as Addison's disease and other adrenal disorders, and moderate to severe dehydration and electrolyte imbalance.

It may be suggested to your friend to see a doctor for an evaluation to rule out any serious conditions and treat.