Still others aid in releasing hormones from endocrine glands. All of the ions in plasma contribute to the osmotic balance that controls the movement of water between cells and their environment.

Electrolytes in living systems include sodium, potassium, chloride, bicarbonate, calcium, phosphate, magnesium, copper, zinc, iron, manganese, molybdenum, copper, and chromium. In terms of body functioning, six electrolytes are most important: sodium, potassium, chloride, bicarbonate, calcium, and phosphate.

These six ions aid in nerve excitability, endocrine secretion, membrane permeability, buffering body fluids, and controlling the movement of fluids between compartments. These ions enter the body through the digestive tract.

More than 90 percent of the calcium and phosphate that enters the body is incorporated into bones and teeth, with bone serving as a mineral reserve for these ions. In the event that calcium and phosphate are needed for other functions, bone tissue can be broken down to supply the blood and other tissues with these minerals.

Phosphate is a normal constituent of nucleic acids; hence, blood levels of phosphate will increase whenever nucleic acids are broken down. Excretion of ions occurs mainly through the kidneys, with lesser amounts lost in sweat and in feces.

Excessive sweating may cause a significant loss, especially of sodium and chloride. Severe vomiting or diarrhea will cause a loss of chloride and bicarbonate ions.

Adjustments in respiratory and renal functions allow the body to regulate the levels of these ions in the ECF. Table In a clinical setting, sodium, potassium, and chloride are typically analyzed in a routine urine sample. In contrast, calcium and phosphate analysis requires a collection of urine across a hour period, because the output of these ions can vary considerably over the course of a day.

Urine values reflect the rates of excretion of these ions. Sodium is the major cation of the extracellular fluid. It is responsible for one-half of the osmotic pressure gradient that exists between the interior of cells and their surrounding environment.

This excess sodium appears to be a major factor in hypertension high blood pressure in some people. Excretion of sodium is accomplished primarily by the kidneys. Sodium is freely filtered through the glomerular capillaries of the kidneys, and although much of the filtered sodium is reabsorbed in the proximal convoluted tubule, some remains in the filtrate and urine, and is normally excreted.

Hyponatremia is a lower-than-normal concentration of sodium, usually associated with excess water accumulation in the body, which dilutes the sodium.

An absolute loss of sodium may be due to a decreased intake of the ion coupled with its continual excretion in the urine. An abnormal loss of sodium from the body can result from several conditions, including excessive sweating, vomiting, or diarrhea; the use of diuretics; excessive production of urine, which can occur in diabetes; and acidosis, either metabolic acidosis or diabetic ketoacidosis.

At the cellular level, hyponatremia results in increased entry of water into cells by osmosis, because the concentration of solutes within the cell exceeds the concentration of solutes in the now-diluted ECF.

The excess water causes swelling of the cells; the swelling of red blood cells—decreasing their oxygen-carrying efficiency and making them potentially too large to fit through capillaries—along with the swelling of neurons in the brain can result in brain damage or even death.

Hypernatremia is an abnormal increase of blood sodium. It can result from water loss from the blood, resulting in the hemoconcentration of all blood constituents.

This can lead to neuromuscular irritability, convulsions, CNS lethargy, and coma. Hormonal imbalances involving ADH and aldosterone may also result in higher-than-normal sodium values. Potassium is the major intracellular cation. It helps establish the resting membrane potential in neurons and muscle fibers after membrane depolarization and action potentials.

In contrast to sodium, potassium has very little effect on osmotic pressure. The low levels of potassium in blood and CSF are due to the sodium-potassium pumps in cell membranes, which maintain the normal potassium concentration gradients between the ICF and ECF.

Potassium is excreted, both actively and passively, through the renal tubules, especially the distal convoluted tubule and collecting ducts.

Potassium participates in the exchange with sodium in the renal tubules under the influence of aldosterone, which also relies on basolateral sodium-potassium pumps.

Hypokalemia is an abnormally low potassium blood level. Similar to the situation with hyponatremia, hypokalemia can occur because of either an absolute reduction of potassium in the body or a relative reduction of potassium in the blood due to the redistribution of potassium.

An absolute loss of potassium can arise from decreased intake, frequently related to starvation. It can also come about from vomiting, diarrhea, or alkalosis. Hypokalemia can cause metabolic acidosis, CNS confusion, and cardiac arrhythmias. Some insulin-dependent diabetic patients experience a relative reduction of potassium in the blood from the redistribution of potassium.

When insulin is administered and glucose is taken up by cells, potassium passes through the cell membrane along with glucose, decreasing the amount of potassium in the blood and IF, which can cause hyperpolarization of the cell membranes of neurons, reducing their responses to stimuli.

Hyperkalemia , an elevated potassium blood level, also can impair the function of skeletal muscles, the nervous system, and the heart. Hyperkalemia can result from increased dietary intake of potassium.

In such a situation, potassium from the blood ends up in the ECF in abnormally high concentrations. This can result in a partial depolarization excitation of the plasma membrane of skeletal muscle fibers, neurons, and cardiac cells of the heart, and can also lead to an inability of cells to repolarize.

Because of such effects on the nervous system, a person with hyperkalemia may also exhibit mental confusion, numbness, and weakened respiratory muscles.

Chloride is the predominant extracellular anion. Chloride is a major contributor to the osmotic pressure gradient between the ICF and ECF, and plays an important role in maintaining proper hydration. Chloride functions to balance cations in the ECF, maintaining the electrical neutrality of this fluid.

The paths of secretion and reabsorption of chloride ions in the renal system follow the paths of sodium ions. Hypochloremia , or lower-than-normal blood chloride levels, can occur because of defective renal tubular absorption.

Vomiting, diarrhea, and metabolic acidosis can also lead to hypochloremia. Hyperchloremia , or higher-than-normal blood chloride levels, can occur due to dehydration, excessive intake of dietary salt NaCl or swallowing of sea water, aspirin intoxication, congestive heart failure, and the hereditary, chronic lung disease, cystic fibrosis.

In people who have cystic fibrosis, chloride levels in sweat are two to five times those of normal levels, and analysis of sweat is often used in the diagnosis of the disease. Watch this video to see an explanation of the effect of seawater on humans.

What effect does drinking seawater have on the body? Bicarbonate is the second most abundant anion in the blood.

This role will be discussed in a different section. Bicarbonate ions result from a chemical reaction that starts with carbon dioxide CO 2 and water, two molecules that are produced at the end of aerobic metabolism.

Only a small amount of CO 2 can be dissolved in body fluids. Thus, over 90 percent of the CO 2 is converted into bicarbonate ions, HCO 3 — , through the following reactions:. The bidirectional arrows indicate that the reactions can go in either direction, depending on the concentrations of the reactants and products.

Carbon dioxide is produced in large amounts in tissues that have a high metabolic rate. Often, a doctor will order a basic metabolic panel test.

Abnormal results will require additional tests to determine the cause. This may include a comprehensive metabolic panel test or an electrolyte panel test.

It is important to determine the exact cause in order to decide on an appropriate treatment plan. Compared with adults, children have a higher risk of dehydration due to their smaller size and faster metabolism of fluids and electrolytes. If a child sweats excessively or gets sick with severe vomiting or diarrhea, they may develop an electrolyte imbalance that requires medical attention.

Other risk factors include having a high fever and taking medications that increase urination. A child with an underlying health condition — such as thyroid, heart, or kidney disease — may be at a higher risk of an electrolyte imbalance. Children with cancer who have had a bone marrow transplant or take certain chemotherapy medications are also more susceptible to electrolyte imbalances.

A parent or caregiver should seek immediate medical care for a child if the child exhibits any of these symptoms, especially if they also have a fever or a health condition.

Older adults may be more susceptible to dehydration and electrolyte imbalances than younger adults. Caregivers should watch older adults closely for signs of dehydration.

They may need to help ensure that a person is eating and drinking enough. Signs of dehydration in an older adult can include :. The following table shows optimal levels of electrolytes for children and adults:. An electrolyte imbalance can happen if a person becomes dehydrated or if they have too much water in their body.

If a person has been sick with a short bout of vomiting or diarrhea or has been sweating heavily, drinking water or an over-the-counter electrolyte solution can help restore the balance of electrolytes.

Many oral rehydration drinks are available in stores, and they may be sufficient if an individual has a mild imbalance, with no severe symptoms.

Some people have an electrolyte imbalance due to a health condition, such as kidney or heart disease. In this case, a person may be able to correct the imbalance at home over a period of days or weeks.

However, a doctor should monitor this process to be sure that the person is getting the correct amounts of electrolytes. Also, some individuals require additional treatment to address the underlying problem. If a person has a more severe case of kidney disease, they may need dialysis to address an electrolyte imbalance.

Electrolyte imbalances can be dangerous. If an imbalance is severe, a person may need to receive electrolytes intravenously, meaning into a vein and directly into the bloodstream, in the hospital. If a person believes that they may have mild dehydration, they can try a rehydration drink to rebalance their electrolyte levels.

However, people should be careful about using sports drinks for this purpose. Some experts believe that sports drinks contain too much sugar and too little sodium to correct an imbalance.

Yet some studies have found that sports drinks and oral rehydration solutions provided similar results in people who had exercised in hot weather.

A person can make an oral rehydration solution at home instead of buying powder packets or ready-made drinks. Electrolyte imbalances can cause serious or life threatening symptoms. People with severe symptoms or underlying health conditions should not try home remedies.

Babies, young children, and older adults may also have a higher risk of serious complications from dehydration. They should therefore consult a doctor. Healthy adults with mild dehydration may find that drinking a rehydration solution helps replenish their electrolytes.

However, if a health condition is causing an electrolyte imbalance or if a person has any severe symptoms, they should seek guidance from a doctor. Older adults, infants, and children should seek professional medical care if they have any symptoms of dehydration or an electrolyte imbalance.

Learn where you can find electrolytes in food and drink, including the best dietary sources of magnesium, calcium, sodium, and potassium.

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Symptoms usually start to appear once a particular imbalance becomes more severe. Possible symptoms of an electrolyte imbalance include:.

Electrolyte disturbances can become life threatening if left untreated. Treatment varies depending on the type of electrolyte imbalance and the underlying condition causing it. Certain treatments are generally used to restore the proper balance of minerals in the body.

These include:. Intravenous IV fluids , typically containing sodium chloride, can help rehydrate the body. This treatment is commonly used in cases of dehydration resulting from vomiting or diarrhea. Electrolyte supplements can be added to IV fluids to correct deficiencies.

IV medications can help your body restore electrolyte balance quickly. They can also protect you from negative effects while being treated by another method. The medication you receive will depend on the electrolyte imbalance you have. Medications that may be administered include calcium gluconate, magnesium sulfate, and potassium chloride.

Oral medications and supplements are often used to correct chronic mineral abnormalities in your body.

These can help replace depleted electrolytes on a short- or long-term basis, depending on the underlying cause of your disorder. To correct the imbalance, your doctor will usually treat the underlying cause.

One way to get the blood to flow to this artificial kidney is for your doctor to surgically create a vascular access, or an entrance point, into your blood vessels. This entrance point will allow a larger amount of blood to flow through your body during hemodialysis treatment.

This means more blood can be filtered and purified. Hemodialysis can be used to treat an electrolyte imbalance. Your doctor may also decide on hemodialysis treatment if the electrolyte problem has become life threatening. A simple blood test can measure the levels of electrolytes in your body.

A blood test that looks at your kidney function is important as well. Your doctor may want to perform a physical exam or order extra tests to confirm a suspected electrolyte imbalance.

These additional tests will vary depending on the condition in question. For example, hypernatremia too much sodium can cause skin elasticity loss due to significant dehydration.

Your doctor can perform a pinch test to determine whether dehydration affects you. An electrocardiogram ECG or EKG , an electrical tracing of your heart, may also be useful to check for any irregular heartbeats, rhythms, or ECG or EKG changes brought on by electrolyte problems.

Anyone can develop an electrolyte imbalance. Certain people are at an increased risk because of their medical history. Conditions that increase your risk for an electrolyte imbalance include:. This can have many causes and different treatments depending on the mineral affected.

If medications or underlying conditions cause the electrolyte imbalance, your doctor will adjust your medication and treat the cause. This will help prevent future electrolyte imbalances. But not every electrolyte imbalance can be easily prevented , and it could be caused by a serious condition.

Our experts continually monitor the health and wellness space, and we update our articles when new information becomes available. Electrolytes like salt, potassium, and calcium perform a variety of important functions within your body.

Electrolytes are found in all kinds of foods, including fruits and vegetables, such as broccoli, kale, avocados, and bananas. Electrolytes help our…. Electrolytes are important for many bodily functions, such as fluid balance and muscle contractions. This article discusses the potential benefits of….

Electrolytes are minerals that are involved in many essential processes in your body. This article takes a detailed look at electrolytes, their…. Traditional sports drinks provide easy-to-digest carbohydrates to help athletes to fuel longer-duration exercises and replace electrolyte lost in…. Low blood sodium, or hyponatremia, occurs when water and sodium are out of balance in your body.

It can cause weakness, headache, nausea, and muscle…. Hypercalcemia is a condition in which you have too much calcium in your blood. Although calcium is important for bone health and normal functioning in….

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A Quiz for Teens Are You a Workaholic? How Well Do You Sleep? Health Conditions Discover Plan Connect. All About Electrolyte Imbalance. Medically reviewed by Adam Bernstein, MD, ScD — By Kimberly Holland — Updated on December 15, Causes Types Symptoms Treatment Diagnosis Risk factors Takeaway Electrolytes are minerals that control important physiologic functions of the body.

Understanding electrolyte imbalance and disorders. Types of electrolyte imbalance. Symptoms of electrolyte imbalance. Treating electrolyte imbalance. Diagnosing electrolyte imbalance. Risk factors for electrolyte disorders.

A balance of different electrolytes is crucial for the body to function. They regulate nerve and muscle function, hydrate the body, balance blood acidity and pressure, and help rebuild damaged tissue. They rely on the movement of electrolytes through the fluid inside, outside, or between cells.

For example, a muscle needs calcium, sodium, and potassium to contract. When these substances become imbalanced, it can lead to either muscle weakness or excessive contraction. The levels of electrolytes in the blood can become too high or too low, leading to an imbalance.

Electrolyte levels can change in relation to water levels in the body, as well as other factors. Important electrolytes, including sodium and potassium, are lost in sweat during exercise. A rapid loss of fluids, such as after a bout of diarrhea or vomiting, can also affect the concentration of electrolytes.

In these types of situations, the balance of electrolytes in the body needs to be restored. The kidneys and several hormones regulate the concentration of each electrolyte. If the level of one is too high, the kidneys filter it from the body, and different hormones act to restore a balance.

An imbalance causes a health issue when the concentration of a certain electrolyte becomes higher than the body can regulate. Low levels of electrolytes can also affect overall health. The most common imbalances involve sodium and potassium. The symptoms depend on which electrolyte is out of balance and whether its level is too high or too low.

A harmful concentration of magnesium, sodium, potassium, or calcium can produce one or more of the following symptoms:. For example, a calcium excess can occur in people with breast cancer , lung cancer , or multiple myeloma.

This type of excess is often caused by the destruction of bone tissue. As these symptoms can also result from cancer or cancer treatment, it may be difficult to identify high calcium levels as the cause.

An electrolyte panel is a test that screens for imbalances in the blood. It also measures the acid-base balance and kidney function. This test can help monitor the progress of treatment relating to a known imbalance. A doctor may include it as part of a routine physical exam, and people often undergo it during a hospital stay or when receiving care in an emergency room, as both acute and chronic illnesses can affect electrolyte levels.

A healthcare professional may also perform this test for someone taking medication known to affect electrolyte concentrations, such as diuretics or angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors.

The levels of electrolytes in the blood are measured in millimoles per liter l. If the level of one type of electrolyte is too high or low, the doctor will test regularly until the levels are back to normal.

If there is an acid-base imbalance, the doctor may carry out blood gas tests. These measure the acidity, oxygen, and carbon dioxide levels in a sample of blood from an artery. They also determine the severity of the imbalance and how the person is responding to treatment.

Treating an electrolyte imbalance involves either restoring levels that are too low or reducing concentrations that are too high. If levels are too high, the treatment depends on the cause of the excess.

If the body loses water without losing electrolytes, this can lead to an excess, and the treatment involves an infusion of water and glucose. Healthcare professionals typically treat low levels by supplementing the needed electrolyte. The type of treatment will also depend on the severity of the imbalance.

However, the symptoms of an imbalance can be severe, and a person may need to be hospitalized and monitored during the treatment. Doctors mainly use this to treat an electrolyte shortage alongside dehydration, which tends to follow severe diarrhea.

The World Health Organization WHO has approved a solution for oral rehydration therapy that contains:. In more severe cases of an electrolyte shortage, healthcare professionals may administer the electrolyte orally or through an IV drip. An infusion of saltwater solution or compound sodium lactate, for example, can help treat a shortage of sodium.

Some causes of an electrolyte shortage, such as kidney disease, are not preventable. In general, having a well-managed diet can help reduce the risk of low electrolyte levels. Also, having a moderate amount of a sports drink during or after any kind of exertion or exercise can help limit the effects of losing electrolytes through sweat.

For people who do not need treatment in a hospital, a doctor may recommend dietary changes or supplements to balance electrolyte concentrations.

When levels of an electrolyte are too low, it is important to have foods and drinks that contain high amounts of that electrolyte.

Here are some options:. It is worth knowing how much of each electrolyte is in a type of food or drink. The Department of Agriculture has a searchable database of nutritional contents.

Supplements are also an option for managing low levels of an electrolyte. For example, older adults often do not consume enough potassium, and treatments with corticosteroids or diuretic medications can also reduce these levels.

In this case, potassium tablets can boost the concentration in the blood. Some sports drinks, gels, and candies can restore levels of electrolytes such as sodium and potassium during and after exercise. They can also help the body retain water. However, these products sometimes contain high electrolyte contents, and consuming too much can lead to an excess.

Some also contain high levels of sugar. It is important to carefully follow any treatment or supplementation plan that a health professional recommends.

Adult males typically are composed of about 60 percent water and females are about 55 percent water. This gender difference reflects the differences in body-fat content, since body fat is practically water-free. This also means that if a person gains weight in the form of fat the percentage of total body water content declines.

As we age, total body water content also diminishes so that by the time we are in our eighties the percent of water in our bodies has decreased to around 45 percent. Does the loss in body water play a role in the aging process? Alas, no one knows. But, we do know that dehydration accelerates the aging process whereas keeping hydrated decreases headaches, muscle aches, and kidney stones.

Additionally a study conducted at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center in Seattle found that women who drank more than five glasses of water each day had a significantly decreased risk for developing colon cancer.

Although water makes up the largest percentage of body volume, it is not actually pure water but rather a mixture of cells, proteins, glucose, lipoproteins, electrolytes, and other substances. Electrolytes are substances that, when dissolved in water, dissociate into charged ions.

Positively charged electrolytes are called cations and negatively charged electrolytes are called anions. In the human body, water and solutes are distributed into two compartments: inside cells, called intracellular, and outside cells, called extracellular.

The extracellular water compartment is subdivided into the spaces between cells also known as interstitial, blood plasma, and other bodily fluids such as the cerebrospinal fluid which surrounds and protects the brain and spinal cord Figure 3.

The composition of solutes differs between the fluid compartments. For instance, more protein is inside cells than outside and more chloride anions exist outside of cells than inside. This article discusses the potential benefits of…. Electrolytes like salt, potassium, and calcium perform a variety of important functions within your body.

Electrolytes are naturally occurring minerals that control important bodily functions. Here's what you need to know about electrolyte imbalance, its…. Electrolytes are found in all kinds of foods, including fruits and vegetables, such as broccoli, kale, avocados, and bananas.

Electrolytes help our…. Want to change up your hydration routine after a sweat session? These great-tasting fluids will rehydrate and power your body — no water required. Everyone gets dehydrated from time to time, but chronic dehydration is much more serious.

Treating it often requires more than just drinking water —…. Traditional sports drinks provide easy-to-digest carbohydrates to help athletes to fuel longer-duration exercises and replace electrolyte lost in….

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How Well Do You Sleep? Health Conditions Discover Plan Connect. Nutrition Evidence Based Electrolytes: Definition, Functions, Imbalance and Sources. By Helen West, RD — Updated on October 24, Definition Functions Imbalance Sweating Sources Supplements Bottom Line Electrolytes are crucial for body processes like conducting nerve impulses, contracting muscles, hydrating, and regulating pH levels.

Share on Pinterest. What Are Electrolytes? Needed to Maintain Vital Body Functions. Electrolyte Imbalances Are Bad for Your Health. Do You Need More Electrolytes If You Sweat a Lot?

Dietary Sources of Electrolytes. Should You Supplement Your Diet With Electrolytes? The Bottom Line. How we reviewed this article: History. Oct 24, Written By Helen West. In addition, it helps maintain healthy blood volume and blood pressure.

Magnesium, which helps your muscles, nerves, and heart work properly. It also helps control blood pressure and blood glucose blood sugar.

Phosphate, which works together with calcium to build strong bones and teeth. Potassium , which helps your cells, heart, and muscles work properly.

Sodium , which helps control the amount of fluid in the body. It also helps your nerves and muscles work properly. You get these electrolytes from the foods you eat and the fluids you drink. What is an electrolyte imbalance? The names of the different types of electrolyte imbalances are: Electrolyte Too low Too high Bicarbonate Acidosis Alkalosis Calcium Hypocalcemia Hypercalcemia Chloride Hypochloremia Hyperchloremia Magnesium Hypomagnesemia Hypermagnesemia Phosphate Hypophosphatemia Hyperphosphatemia Potassium Hypokalemia Hyperkalemia Sodium Hyponatremia Hypernatremia How are electrolyte imbalances diagnosed?

What are the treatments for electrolyte imbalances? For example: If you don't have enough of an electrolyte, you may get electrolyte replacement therapy. This involves giving you more of that electrolyte. It could be a medicine or supplement that you swallow or drink, or it may be given intravenously by IV.

If you have too much of an electrolyte, your provider may give you medicines or fluids by mouth or by IV to help remove that electrolyte from your body. In severe cases, you may need dialysis to filter out the electrolyte. Start Here. Also in Spanish. Diagnosis and Tests. Anion Gap Blood Test National Library of Medicine Also in Spanish Basic Metabolic Panel BMP National Library of Medicine Also in Spanish Carbon Dioxide CO2 in Blood National Library of Medicine Also in Spanish Chloride Blood Test National Library of Medicine Also in Spanish Comprehensive Metabolic Panel CMP National Library of Medicine Also in Spanish Electrolyte Panel National Library of Medicine Also in Spanish Magnesium Blood Test National Library of Medicine Also in Spanish Osmolality Tests National Library of Medicine Also in Spanish Sodium Blood Test National Library of Medicine Also in Spanish.

Related Issues. Hydrating for Health: Why Drinking Water Is So Important National Institutes of Health Also in Spanish Nutrition and Healthy Eating: How Much Water Should You Drink Each Day?