Electrolytes are minerals that carry an electric charge, positive or negative, when dissolved in water or body fluids such as blood. They are in your blood, urine, tissues and other body fluids.
What they do
Electrolytes help to:
- balance the amount of water in your body;
- balance your body's acid-base level (pH);
- move nutrients into your cells and wastes out of them;
- support muscle and nerve function;
- keep your heart rate and rhythm steady;
- keep your blood pressure stable;
- keep your bones and teeth healthy.
The main electrolytes
| Electrolyte | Role |
|---|---|
| Bicarbonate | keeps the acid-base balance (pH) and helps carry carbon dioxide in the blood |
| Calcium | builds and keeps strong bones and teeth |
| Chloride | helps control the body's fluid, and maintain blood volume and blood pressure |
| Magnesium | helps muscles, nerves and the heart work properly, and helps control blood pressure and blood sugar |
| Phosphate | works with calcium to build strong bones and teeth |
| Potassium | helps cells, the heart and muscles work properly |
| Sodium | helps control the body's fluid, and helps nerves and muscles work |
You get them from the food you eat and the fluids you drink.
Imbalances
An electrolyte imbalance means the level of one or more electrolytes is too low or too high. It can happen when the amount of water in your body changes. The water you take in should match the water you lose; if that balance is upset you can have too little water (dehydration) or too much (overhydration). Common causes include:
- certain medicines;
- severe vomiting or diarrhoea, or both;
- heavy sweating;
- heart, liver or kidney problems;
- not drinking enough, especially during intense exercise or in very hot weather;
- drinking too much water.
Each imbalance has its own name:
| 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 |
Diagnosis
An electrolyte panel measures the main electrolytes. A related test, the anion gap blood test, checks whether they are out of balance or whether your blood is too acidic or not acidic enough.
Treatment
Treatment depends on which electrolytes are affected, whether there is too little or too much, and why.
- Minor cases may need only changes to your diet.
- Too little: electrolyte replacement therapy gives you more of the missing electrolyte, as a medicine or supplement you swallow or drink, or through an IV.
- Too much: your provider may give medicines or fluids, by mouth or by IV, to help remove it. In severe cases, dialysis may be needed to filter it out.
Sources
- MedlinePlus, U.S. National Library of Medicine, "Fluid and Electrolyte Balance." https://medlineplus.gov/fluidandelectrolytebalance.html
- Rewritten in hubnx's own words.
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