Importance of Electrolytes
Electrolytes
Minerals with an electrical charge are called electrolytes. They have a significant impact on the human body, affecting everything from muscle contraction to heartbeat. Health problems may arise when electrolyte levels are too high or too low.
Electrolytes are chemical compounds that have a positive or negative electrical charge at the molecular level. When dissolved in water they are able to conduct electricity. When electrolytes are not dissolved, they are found as salts, which have a neutral charge.
Following are the electrolytes that have significant function in the body,
- Sodium
- Potassium
- Chloride
- Magnesium
- Calcium
- Phosphorus
Important Body Functions Maintained by Electrolytes
Nearly all of your body’s functions include electrolytes. They can be found in cells and blood plasma, where they support the stabilisation of cell membranes. Additionally, electrolytes maintain fluid balance and protein structure. Electrolytes aid transport of substances into and out of cells and also play a role in chemical reactions in the body.
Electrolytes are necessary for a number of bodily functions, such as: maintaining proper hydration, heartbeat conduction and heart muscle contraction, blood vessel dilation and contraction, nerve impulse conduction, muscle contraction, gastrointestinal movement and maintaining internal pH levels.
Electrolyte Imbalance
The body maintains electrolytes at optimal range by controlling absorption in the GI tract and excretion in the urine and faeces. Problems with the intake, absorption, or excretion of electrolytes can cause an imbalance.
Simple blood tests can be used to determine electrolyte levels. The prefix “hyper” denotes the high levels of electrolytes. For example, hypercalcemia indicates high calcium levels in the blood. The electrolytes in low levels are denoted by the prefix “hypo”. Hypokalemia signifies low potassium levels in the blood.
Causes of Electrolyte Imbalance
Simple blood tests can be used to determine electrolyte levels. The prefix “hyper” denotes the high levels of electrolytes. For example, hypercalcemia indicates high calcium levels in the blood. The electrolytes in low levels are denoted by the prefix “hypo”. Hypokalemia signifies low potassium levels in the blood.
- Low intake: An electrolyte deficiency can result from a diet with insufficient nutrients.
- Fluid losses: Vomiting and diarrhoea can result in low electrolyte levels.
- Certain medications: Diuretics can lead to electrolyte loss in the stool and urine.
- Kidney disease: The kidneys play a vital role in regulating electrolyte levels, and kidney disease can have an impact on those levels.
- High blood acidity: The kidneys reabsorb bicarbonate in an effort to compensate acidosis (too much acid in body fluids).
How are electrolyte imbalances managed or treated?
Treatment is dependent on the particular electrolyte imbalance and its causes. Some imbalances will go away without treatment. To treat dehydration, your healthcare provider may advice rehydrating with an oral rehydration salt (ORS) solution or electrolyte drinks.
Treatments for electrolyte imbalance includes:
- IV fluids to rehydrate your body, such as sodium chloride.
- IV medications to restore electrolyte balance.
- Drugs or supplements to replenish electrolytes lost via sweating.
- Hemodialysis to treat electrolyte imbalances caused by severe kidney damage or kidney failure.
