Electrolyte Imbalance: What Is It and How to Fix It?
We often hear about the importance of electrolytes for the body. But what does that mean and why are they important for our health? In this article, we will answer seek to understand electrolyte imbalance and explore the causes, symptoms and ways to prevent it!
Electrolyte imbalance
To begin with, we need to ask ourselves what an electrolyte is. Generally speaking, an electrolyte is defined as: chemical components, therefore atoms that have an extra or minus electron, which are therefore electrically charged. Electrolytic substances are very varied and have many industrial applications, but here we will focus on blood electrolytes, in liquid form.
In the human body, electrolytes perform several functions. The most important is to maintain the tension of cell membranes, but they also help regulate cardiac and neurological functions, balance the amount of water in the body, ensure oxygen supply and the acidity of blood plasma. In short, electrolytes are absolutely essential for the body and therefore for our health.
Among the main blood electrolytes we can find sodium which plays a role in the distribution of water in the body, potassium which helps ensure a balance of concentrations between the inside and outside of cells, calcium which is very important for blood clotting and magnesium which regulates muscle contraction by nerves.
Why is it important to maintain electrolyte balance?
As you can see, electrolytes play a major role in the body and it is impossible for the body to function properly without an adequate level of all essential electrolytes in the blood. This is why we often hear about the importance of electrolytes, especially in the sports context since electrolyte balance can be threatened after a workout during which a lot of water has been lost through sweat.
What can cause an imbalance? How do I know if I am affected?
Physical exercise is not the only possible cause of electrolyte imbalance, it can also be manifested by illnesses or excessive consumption of certain medications leading to severe diarrhea and/or vomiting that can also lead to this result. Malnutrition is also a major risk factor since most of the electrolytes we ingest are contained in food.
Symptoms associated with electrolyte imbalance vary greatly depending on the electrolyte involved. Here is a brief overview of the most common electrolyte disorders and their associated symptoms:
Hypercalcemia (too high a level of calcium in the blood) is frequently caused by certain types of cancer, particularly thyroid cancer, and is manifested by abdominal pain, constipation, nausea/vomiting and a significant feeling of thirst.
Hypocalcemia (low blood calcium levels) is often linked to hormonal insufficiency or vitamin D deficiency. The most common symptoms are muscle cramps or twitching and numbness around the mouth and fingers.
Hyperkalemia (excess potassium) is often caused by kidney failure or overconsumption of foods high in potassium . Hyperkalemia is particularly dangerous because it is asymptomatic in most cases and only manifests itself when it becomes severe, with nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.
Hypokalemia is caused by increased excretion of potassium or underconsumption of potassium -rich foods. Like hyperkalemia, it is often asymptomatic at first and manifests itself when severe with muscle weakness, cramps, and cardiac arrhythmias.
Hypernatremia (excess sodium in the blood) is often linked to significant water losses (diarrhea, lack of rehydration after exercise). The most common symptoms in patients are dehydration, nausea, vomiting and fatigue.
Hyponatremia (deficiency of sodium in the blood) has many causes, including insufficiencies of certain organs such as the heart, kidneys or liver or a large excess of water in the body (which can occur in a post-operative context). It is not uncommon for hyponatremic people to be asymptomatic. In other cases, this disorder manifests itself by loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, confusion and muscle weakness.
Indeed, there is a wide variety of symptoms depending on the electrolyte(s) involved. However, some are recurrent, such as nausea, vomiting, fatigue and muscle weakness that are sometimes accompanied by cramps. If you experience some of these symptoms, it is imperative to consult a doctor who can prescribe blood and urine tests to detect a possible imbalance.
It is also noted that electrolyte imbalance can be caused by very different factors, ranging from pre-existing diseases such as cancer to dysfunction of certain organs (notably the kidneys) to poor hydration and diet.
Coping with Electrolyte Imbalance
How to treat it?
It is important to know that the treatments for electrolyte imbalances are just as varied as the causes. In the case of electrolyte deficiencies (prefix hypo-), the most common solution is oral or intravenous administration of the missing electrolyte in patients. This can be coupled with rehydration if necessary. As for electrolyte excesses (prefix hyper-), treatments may include taking medication to help eliminate the excess or even renal dialysis, which consists of filtering the blood outside the body and then reinjecting it, often to replace kidneys that are not functioning.
How can this imbalance be prevented?
To prevent the risk of electrolyte imbalance , there are several good habits to adopt. The main one is to have a healthy and balanced diet in order to guarantee a sufficient and regular intake of all electrolytes, combined with good hydration (drink enough quality water every day, especially after exercise).
Hydratis tablets will allow you to optimize your hydration. Thanks to their scientifically studied and validated composition, the tablets will on the one hand enrich your water with micronutrients and electrolytes and on the other hand, optimize the absorption of water and the electrolytes it contains.
In summary, an electrolyte imbalance occurs when the levels of certain electrolytes in the body, such as sodium , magnesium or chloride , are out of balance. This can affect the body's water system, causing imbalances at the cellular level and potentially leading to serious symptoms in patients . The reasons for this imbalance can be varied, ranging from disorders of the gastrointestinal system to malfunctions of the cardiac system . In all cases, proper treatment and medical supervision are necessary to restore the balance of electrolytes in the body.
