Electrolytes are the naturally occurring chemicals in the body and they include chloride, phosphate, potassium, sodium, and calcium. They have a significant role in normal body functions and should be available in the body in a balanced amount. They are present in the blood, body fluids, and urine and are also ingested with food, drinks, and supplements.
Fluid and electrolyte balance is crucial in maintaining homeostasis in the body and helps in protecting cellular function, tissue perfusion, and acid-base balance. Whenever the level of electrolytes in the body is too high or too low, it leads to electrolyte imbalance or electrolyte disorder. The kidney is a principal organ that helps to retain or excrete electrolytes and fluids in an individual but, there are certain hormonal interactions of antidiuretic hormones, parathyroid hormones, high cortisol levels because of stress, and aldosterone also plays an important role in maintaining the electrolyte balance in the body.
Significance of Electrolytes in the body
- Regulate fluid levels in the body and blood
- Keep blood pH under check
- Helps with muscle contraction
- Regulate heartbeat
- Transmit messages from nerve cells, muscles, heart, and other cells
- Helps with blood clotting
Causes and Risk Factors
As per the studies done on symptomatic patients, it has been seen that electrolyte imbalances are frequently seen in elderly and critically ill patients, and they can occur as a progression of some other disorders like diabetes mellitus, chronic kidney failure, and myocardial infarction.
Also, the study of electrolyte imbalance in the body may determine the underlying condition like hormonal imbalances, sepsis (infection), malnutrition, medication, and renal disorders.
The most common cause of imbalance is loss of fluids from the body, which can be because of,
- Diarrhea
- Vomiting
- Excess of sweating
- Severe burns
- Chronic respiratory disease
- Metabolic alkalosis
- Medications such as laxatives and steroids
- Urinary tract infection
- Infection
Symptoms of Electrolyte Imbalance
At times, an individual might not show any signs and symptoms of electrolyte balance and it is only detected through routine tests, but symptoms may appear once the imbalance of a particular electrolyte becomes more severe.
Each electrolyte imbalance shows some typical symptoms, but common symptoms include,
| Palpitation | Fatigue |
|---|---|
| Irritability | Diarrhea |
| Constipation | Nausea |
| Irregular Heartbeat | Confusion |
| Muscle weakness | Cramps |
| Headaches | Numbness and tingling |
| Vomiting | Syncope (in severe cases) |
How do replenish Electrolytes?
- Water
Drinking water is the easiest and most effective way to maintain electrolyte balance in the body. Keep sipping water while doing any intense workout to prevent dehydration. As per the studies, a minimum of 3 L of water for men and 2.2 L of water for women is advised daily.
- Coconut water
It contains sodium, potassium, calcium, and magnesium but it comes with a certain number of calories because of natural sugar content, so add this into your routine judiciously.
- Electrolytes or sports drinks
They are generally high in potassium chloride and sodium chloride. It helps to replenish electrolytes during long workout sessions.
- Electrolyte-rich food
Foods like banana, potatoes, orange, lemon, berries, spinach, and avocados are high in electrolytes and can be included in the diet on a regular basis to maintain the balance in the body.
Avoid drinking carbonated drinks or sugary drinks as they may help with restoring electrolyte imbalance but will also add loads of calories to the routine. To prevent electrolyte imbalance, focus on drinking enough water during any physical activity and eat a balanced diet containing electrolyte-rich food. Avoid doing any strenuous activities during hot water.
In case the symptoms don’t subside or in case of severe dehydration, consult with the doctor on an emergency basis to avoid any complications.
Reference list
- Balci, A.K. (2013). General characteristics of patients with electrolyte imbalance admitted to emergency department. World Journal of Emergency Medicine, [online] 4(2), p.113
- Holland, K. (2013). All About Electrolyte Disorders. [online] Healthline.
- Meinders, A.-J. and Meinders, A.E. (2010). [How much water do we really need to drink?]. Nederlands Tijdschrift Voor Geneeskunde, [online] 154, p.A1757.
- Weishaupt, J. (2021). What Is an Electrolyte Imbalance? [online] WebMD.
