Electrolytes are essential for proper body function, but an imbalance can cause problems. Hypernatremia, hyponatremia, hyperkalemia, and hypokalemia are common types of imbalances. Symptoms vary, but weakness and confusion are common. Treatment depends on the type of imbalance and can include supplements or IV fluids. Serious imbalances require immediate treatment and addressing the underlying cause.
Electrolytes are salts that conduct electricity in the body. They are present in body fluids and tissues and must be maintained in the body in a correct ratio to keep the body systems functioning properly. Electrolyte imbalance occurs when that balance is disrupted. This can include having too much or too little of a particular electrolyte in the body. There are several specific types of electrolyte imbalance that can occur.
Hypernatremia occurs when there is too much sodium in the body. There are several potential causes of hypernatremia, including unmanaged diabetes, diuretic medications, heavy breathing such as during exercise, severe burns, diarrhea, and excessive vomiting. The opposite problem, hyponatremia, is when the body has too little sodium. The most common cause of hyponatremia is renal failure.
Hyperkalemia is another type of electrolyte imbalance. Hyperkalemia is the result when the body has an excess of potassium. It is most frequently caused by kidney failure or by drugs that cause the body to retain potassium. Hypokalemia, when the body doesn’t get enough potassium, is often caused by diuretics, because they cause the body to excrete more potassium.
Excess or deficient calcium is the third common type of electrolyte imbalance. Too much calcium is called hypercalcemia. Hypercalcemia is often caused by problems with the thyroid gland, which controls the amount of calcium in the body, or by certain types of cancer. When the body doesn’t get enough calcium, it is called hypocalcemia. Hypocalcemia is also often caused by problems with the thyroid gland, a body-wide infection called sepsis, or a vitamin D deficiency.
There are a variety of symptoms of an electrolyte imbalance. The nature of the symptoms will depend on the type of imbalance. The two symptoms common to all types of electrolyte imbalance are weakness and confusion. High or low sodium levels can produce seizures and paralysis. Having high potassium levels often produces an abnormal heart rhythm. Too much calcium can produce dehydration, loss of appetite, nausea and vomiting.
There are several treatments available for electrolyte imbalance, depending on the type of imbalance present. Very often, a low level of a particular electrolyte will require the person to receive a needed electrolyte supplement. Having too much of an electrolyte is often treated with intravenous (IV) fluids to dilute the amount of electrolyte in the person’s body.
Electrolyte imbalances can be mild and unproblematic, or they can be a serious problem. Any serious electrolyte imbalance should be treated right away. In many cases, treatment of the electrolyte imbalance must be followed by treatment of the underlying cause.
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