- Causes of Electrolyte Imbalances
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Electrolytes are essential in regulating critical bodily functions. When your body is low on electrolytes, whether it’s due to vomiting, diarrhea, or dehydration, it can impair these crucial functions and lead to significant discomfort.
The role of electrolytes in the body include the following:
- Prevent cells from shrinking or swelling
- Enable normal muscle contraction and relaxation
- Maintain normal blood pressure
- Maintain normal rhythm and rate of the heart
- Maintain blood pH in the normal range (7.35 to 7.45, slightly alkaline)
- Maintain brain health and orientation
- Assist blood clotting
- Transmit nerve signals from heart, muscle, and nerve cells to other cells
| Electrolyte Imbalance | Normal levels (mEq/L) | Effect of low levels |
|---|---|---|
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(Low sodium |
135-145 |
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Hypocalcemia (Low calcium) |
8.5-10.2 |
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| 3.5-5.5 |
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Hypomagnesemia (Low magnesium) |
1.7-2.2 |
As magnesium deficiency worsens:
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Hypochloremia (Low chloride levels) |
96-106 |
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Hypophosphatemia (Low phosphate levels) |
2.5-4.5 |
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What causes electrolyte imbalances?
Electrolytes and water in your body are regulated by your kidneys, lungs, and hormones. However, various conditions can cause electrolyte levels in your body to become imbalanced. Although mild imbalances may go undetected, extreme electrolyte imbalances can cause heart and kidney kidneys and in some cases even be life-threatening. Both infants and the elderly are particularly at risk of the dangers of an electrolyte imbalance.
| Causes | Symptoms | Treatment |
|---|---|---|
| Loss of body fluids |
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| Medications |
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| Hormonal diseases |
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| Other conditions |
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| Psychiatric causes |
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SLIDESHOW
Foods That Aren't as Healthy as You Think See SlideshowReferences
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4129840/
http://chemocare.com/chemotherapy/side-effects/electrolyte-imbalance.aspx
http://chemocare.com/chemotherapy/side-effects/electrolyte-imbalance.aspx
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Hyponatremia (Low Blood Sodium)
Hyponatremia or low sodium levels in the blood can result in symptoms such as headache, confusion, seizures, weakness, restlessness, and muscle spasms. Kidney or congestive heart failure, hypothyroidism, cirrhosis, medications, or strenuous exercise without electrolyte replacement can cause hyponatremia. Treatment for hyponatremia are diet changes and electrolyte replacement with an IV.
Low Potassium (Hypokalemia)
Low potassium or hypokalemia is a decrease in blood potassium levels, which is caused by colon polyps, vomiting, diarrhea, medications, and laxatives. Foods in the diet are how the body absorbs potassium. Symptoms of low potassium in the blood include palpitations, muscle cramps, and muscle aches. Treatment for low potassium is low potassium through diet IV.
sodium phosphates IV
Sodium phosphate intravenous (IV) is a combination of sodium and phosphate used to prevent and correct low serum phosphate levels (hypophosphatemia) in people who have restricted or no oral intake. Sodium phosphate is administered as an intravenous infusion and is also used as part of the fluid formulas used to provide the necessary nutrients and electrolytes to patients dependent on total parenteral (intravenous) nutrition (TPN). Common side effects of sodium phosphates IV include high levels of phosphates in the blood (hyperphosphatemia), low potassium in the blood (hypokalemia), high or low sodium levels in the blood (hypernatremia or hyponatremia), low calcium in the blood (hypocalcemia), involuntary muscle contractions (tetany) from hypocalcemia, bloating, abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, canker sores (aphthous stomatitis), loss of appetite (anorexia), fatigue, lethargy, irritability, confusion, stupor, coma, and others.