ELECTROLYTES
Electrolytes in the body : Electrolytes are minerals in the body that have electric charge. They are present in blood, urine, tissues and other body fluids. Electrolytes are important, because they help to balance the amount of water in the body. The important electrolytes in the body are sodium, calcium, potassium, chloride, phosphate, magnesium and bicarbonate.
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Dietary intake of electrolytes : Main dietary source of sodium salt is used for cooking. Most of the other electrolytes such as calcium, potassium, magnesium etc. are obtained from dietary sources. Important sources are milk, cheese, cereals, meat and most of the vegetables.
Functions of electrolytes :
To maintain body's acid -base balance (pH level)
To move nutrients into cells
To move waste out of cells
To make nerves, muscles, heart and brain to function normally
Electrolytes, especially sodium, help to maintain normal fluid level in the fluid compartment. The amount of fluid in a compartment depends on the amount of electrolytes present in that compartment. If electrolyte concentration is high, fluid moves into that compartment by way of osmosis. If electrolyte concentration is low, fluid moves out of that compartment.
Role of kidneys in electrolyte balance :
Electrolytes are supplied to the body through food and water intake. Kidneys play a vital role in maintaining water and electrolyte balance. It is done by -
Filtering water and electrolytes from blood
Returning them back to blood
Excreting excess through urine
Thus a normal electrolyte and water balance is maintained by the kidney.
Electrolytes concentration
Sodium - 136 to 145 m.mol/L
Potassium - 3.5 to 5 m.mol/L
Chloride - 98 to 106 m.mol/L
Bicarbonate - 22 to 26 m.mol/L
Causes for electrolyte imbalance
Dehydration due to vomiting or diarrhoea
Diseases like cholera causing loss of fluid
Over hydration due to excess fluid intake
Decreased elimination in renal diseases
Disorders of liver or heart
Signs of electrolyte imbalance
Muscle cramps
Irregular heart beat
Dizziness
Mental confusion
Diagnosis of electrolyte imbalance
By history of symptoms
Physical examination for dehydration or overhydration
Urine and blood test for electrolytes
X -ray of kidney
ECG for abnormalities of heart
Correction of electrolyte imbalance
Identifying and treating the underlying causes
Intravenous fluids
Electrolyte replacement
Appropriate diet containing electrolytes
Restricting water intake, if sodium level is low
Examples of electrolyte imbalance
Hypercalcemia
Hyperkalemia
Hypermagnesemia
Hyperglycemia
Hyponatremia
Hypernatremia
Hypocalcemia
Hypophosphatemia
Iron deficiency
Hypochloremia
