Introduction:
Electrolytes are an important component of the body. They regulate many chemical reactions and functions. The body requires a minimum of electrolytes to carry out many functions. Electrolytes are essential minerals that carry electric charges. Electrolyte imbalance may lead to life-threatening complications.
What Are Electrolytes?
Electrolytes are essential for many functions of the body. These are available through foods, fluids, or drinks. These are substances that conduct electricity when dissolved in water. These include sodium, potassium, and calcium. These electrolytes are important for many key functions of the body. When electrolytes are very high or low, it is considered an electrolyte imbalance. Maintaining electrolyte balance is crucial for smoothing many functions of the body.
What Are the Functions of Electrolytes?
Electrolytes help maintain many functions of the body. It helps in maintaining the following functions.
Nervous System: The brain sends electrical signals through nerve cells, which need electrical charges. These signals help communicate with other body cells, and electrolytes provide them. The changes are due to the movement of sodium across the cell membrane.
Muscle Function: The electrolyte calcium is required for muscle contractions. Magnesium is also required for muscle relaxation after the contraction.
Hydration: The body should have the right amount of water. Water is present inside and outside all cells. Sodium, one of the electrolytes, is important for fluid maintenance through osmosis. Osmosis is a process in which water moves from a lower concentration to a higher concentration through the cell wall.
pH Levels: pH levels should be kept in balance to maintain good body health. pH is regulated by chemical buffers, which help decrease changes in the internal environment. Normally, the blood pH is 7.35 - 7.45. Any deviation in the pH may destroy the body's functions.
Electrolytes help regulate blood acidity and blood pressure. They also help rebuild damaged tissue, move nutrients into cells, move waste out of cells, keep the heart rate and rhythm steady, and maintain bone and tooth health.
What Are the Different Electrolytes of the Body?
There are many electrolytes in the body. These electrolytes include
Bicarbonates: Bicarbonates maintain the body’s acid-base balance (pH). These are important for moving carbon dioxide through the bloodstream.
Calcium: These are important for muscle contraction and help keep teeth and bones healthy.
Magnesium: This electrolyte helps work muscles, the heart, and nerves. It also helps in regulating blood pressure and blood glucose.
Chloride: This helps regulate the amount of fluid in the body. It helps maintain blood pressure and blood volume.
Phosphates: This, along with calcium, helps build strong bones and teeth.
Potassium: It helps work cells, heart, and muscles.
Sodium: It helps maintain the body's fluid and helps work the nerves and muscles.
These electrolytes are available to the body through foods and drinks.
What Is Electrolyte Imbalance?
When one or more electrolytes in the body vary from normal, either high or low, this is known as an electrolyte imbalance. The reason may be a change in the amount of water in the body. The amount of water intake and the amount of water lost should be the same. If any changes occur to this, it may result in an imbalance. When little water is left in the body, the condition is called dehydration; if too much water is present, it is called overhydration.
The reasons for the electrolyte imbalance include
-
Few medications.
-
When the body experiences vomiting and diarrhea.
-
When excessive sweating occurs.
-
When heart, liver, and kidney problems are present.
-
Due to insufficient fluid intake or over-intake of fluids.
Different Types of Electrolyte Imbalances:
What Are the Symptoms of Electrolyte Imbalance?
Symptoms are based on which electrolyte is out of balance. The following symptoms may be observed during electrolyte imbalance.
These include
-
Experience irregular heartbeat.
-
Fatigue is seen.
-
Muscle twitches and spasms can be observed.
-
Variation in blood pressure.
-
Numbness is seen.
-
Experience confusion.
-
Bone disorders are seen.
-
Nervous system disorders are observed.
-
Seizures or convulsions can be observed.
How to Diagnose Electrolyte Imbalance?
The tests conducted to learn about electrolytes include
Electrolyte Panel: This test helps to know about the electrolyte imbalances in the blood. This also measures acid-base balance and kidney function. This test is regularly done until the level of electrolyte reaches normal levels.
Anion Gap Blood Test: This test is done to determine the acid-base balance of the blood.
Healthcare providers may conduct blood gas tests to know about the acidity, oxygen, and carbon dioxide levels in a sample of blood drawn from an artery.
How to Treat Electrolyte Imbalance?
Treatment of electrolyte imbalance depends on which electrolyte imbalance is caused. The treatment usually involves restoring the levels of electrolytes.
If the levels are too high, treatment is to be given based on the cause of the excess. If an individual loses water without losing electrolytes, excess electrolytes can be in the body. In such cases, water and glucose are to be infused.
Doctors may provide supplements to treat the low levels of electrolytes. Treatment depends on the severity of the imbalance. It is considered safe to make electrolytes over time without performing any tests. If symptoms are severe, the individual should be treated in the hospital.
Oral Rehydration Therapy: This treatment is given during electrolyte shortage with dehydration. This may be seen after severe diarrhea. This contains,
-
2.6 grams (g) of sodium chloride.
-
1.5 g of potassium chloride.
-
2.9 g of sodium citrate.
-
13.5 g of glucose.
These contents are dissolved in 1 liter of water and given to drink.
Electrolyte Replacement Therapy: In severe cases, electrolytes may be given either orally or intravenously. In case of sodium imbalance, an infusion of salt water or compound sodium lactate may be administered to treat the shortage of sodium.
Prevention:
Some of the causes, like kidney disease, cannot be prevented. Other electrolyte imbalances may be prevented by consuming a good diet, which can help reduce the risk of electrolyte shortages. Consuming sports drinks during or after strenuous exercises may help prevent the loss of electrolytes.
Conclusion:
Electrolytes are crucial components of the body that regulate many functions. Any variation in their levels may affect many processes in the body. Hence, it becomes important to know about electrolytes, their imbalances, causes, symptoms, management, and prevention. Knowing about it in detail helps an individual identify the problem at the earliest possible time. Early diagnosis always leads to effective treatment. This further helps achieve a good quality of life.
