Electrolyte imbalance is a condition that occurs when the body does not have enough of certain minerals. These minerals are sodium, potassium, and chloride. The electrolytes help maintain a proper balance of fluids in your body. It can be caused by a deficiency in any one or more of these nutrients or it could be due to an illness such as diarrhoea, vomiting, or heart failure. Electrolyte deficiency can be easily caused due to several reasons, including weather changes, lack of nutritional diet, and other underlying diseases.
Let us understand this deficiency in detail by learning about its different types, their causes, and treatments.
Understanding Electrolyte Deficiency
Electrolyte Deficiency is a condition in which the body does not have sufficient amounts of electrolytes. Electrolytes are minerals that play an important role in how our bodies function. They include sodium, potassium, chloride, and calcium.
Electrolyte balance in our body is maintained by the kidneys. Mainly, the sodium levels in the body are maintained by consuming sodium according to its requirement. Electrolyte imbalance in the body is caused when the electrolytes are either very less or very high.
Electrolytes are quite essential for the body. Some of their main functions in our body are:
- The fluid levels in our body and the blood plasma are regulated by electrolytes.
- The pH level of the blood is maintained by electrolytes.
- Messages from nerve cells, the heart, and other cells are transmitted by electrolytes.
- The process of blood clotting involves electrolytes like calcium.
- The formation of new tissues is added by electrolytes in the body.
Cause of Electrolyte Deficiency
A proper fluid content in the body is very necessary to maintain the electrolyte balance. If you are suffering from electrolyte deficiency or electrolyte imbalance, it is possible that the fluid content in your body is not balanced. However, there might be some other reasons as well that are causing electrolyte imbalance in your body.
Multiple conditions can be caused by low electrolyte symptoms depending on which electrolyte is lacking in your body. Electrolyte imbalance causes are as follows:
1. Hypocalcemia
Hypocalcemia usually occurs when there isn’t enough calcium in the bloodstream. This can be caused due to vitamin D deficiency as vitamin D helps in the absorption of calcium. Prostate cancer or Malabsorption of nutrients can also be the reason for calcium deficiency in the body.
2. Hypochloremia
Hypochloremia can be caused when there is extreme fluid loss either during diarrhoea or from vomiting.
3. Hypomagnesemia
It is caused when the body lacks magnesium. It can be caused due to malnutrition or malabsorption of magnesium. Excessive alcohol usage can also cause magnesium deficiency in the body.
4. Hyponatremia
It is the lack of sodium in the body and can be caused due to poor nutrition. Alcohol use and certain medications can also cause hyponatremia.
These are the common electrolyte deficiencies and electrolyte imbalance causes. There are some other electrolytes as well which can cause an imbalance in the body. If you see any symptoms, you must consult a medical professional and start the treatment suggested.
Symptoms of Electrolyte Deficiency
Electrolyte deficiency can be mild or severe depending upon how much electrolyte your body lacks. Sometimes, the electrolyte deficiency can be so mild that it cannot be detected by blood tests. However, there are some symptoms that you can see if you have electrolyte deficiency. Some of the electrolyte deficiency symptoms are:
- Dry mouth and constantly feeling thirsty
- A feeling of restlessness persists throughout the day when your body lacks electrolytes.
- If you have difficulty with cognition or confusion while making decisions, you might be having an electrolyte deficiency.
- Muscle weakness and spasms are also experienced by some people. Numbness or tingling can be felt in different parts of the body.
- Blood pressure is not constant. High or low blood pressure is faced by people who have an electrolyte imbalance.
- Difficulty breathing or nausea is also experienced.
If you face any serious symptoms it is advised that you immediately contact a physician and get the proper medications and dietary supplements required for electrolyte deficiency.
Treatment for Electrolyte Imbalance
Electrolyte imbalance treatments depend upon the type of electrolyte that your body is lacking and its intensity. Some of the common treatments for electrolyte deficiency are as follows:
1. Intravenous (IV) fluids
IV Fluids are a critical part of the treatment. IV fluids are used to rehydrate patients and replace lost electrolytes in their blood. These fluids can be given through an IV, which is inserted into the patient’s vein or they can be given orally if the patient is unable to receive them intravenously.
2. IV Medications
IV medications are given intravenously into the bloodstream. Drugs administered this way can be given rapidly but they don’t last as long in the body as those given orally or by injection. IV medications may be used for treating electrolyte deficiency and its symptoms.
3. Oral Medications
In case of chronic mineral deficiencies, oral medications and supplements are used. If you have any medical condition that is causing the electrolyte imbalance, medications are given to combat the disease and treat the mineral deficiency.
There are certainly other methods also which are used in case of serious electrolyte imbalance. Once the doctor has diagnosed the proper cause of the electrolyte imbalance, you will be suggested for treatment.
Conclusion
The proper balance of electrolytes is necessary for the body to properly function. Electrolyte balance is maintained by the fluid content and function of the kidneys. If the electrolyte concentration in the body increases or decreases, it causes electrolyte imbalance which can lead to multiple issues. Electrolyte imbalance can be caused because of dehydration, lack of minerals in the diet, diseases related to kidneys, and other chronic diseases.
You can lack one or more than one mineral at a time which can cause electrolyte imbalance in your body. There are multiple treatments for different electrolyte deficiencies that your medical professional can suggest.
