Electrolyte imbalance is commonly caused by loss of body fluids through prolonged vomiting, diarrhea, sweating, or high fever. All of these may be side effects of chemotherapy treatment. The kidneys play a critical role in regulating electrolytes. They control the levels of chloride in your blood...
What causes electrolytes to be depleted?
Electrolyte stores typically deplete through fluid loss (i.e., urination and sweating), however, an electrolyte imbalance can also be caused by diet shortfalls, an illness, medications, or a physical disease, or hormonal imbalance….
What is an electrolyte imbalance?
An electrolyte imbalance occurs when certain mineral levels in your blood get too high or too low. Symptoms of an electrolyte imbalance vary depending on the severity and electrolyte type, including weakness and muscle spasms. A blood test called an electrolyte panel checks levels.
What happens when electrolytes are too low?
Problems can happen if electrolytes are too high or too low. That's called an electrolyte imbalance, when the concentration of the specific electrolyte falls outside the normal range. Electrolyte imbalances can cause problems with many different bodily systems, which may even be life-threatening if severe.
What drugs cause electrolyte imbalance?
Certain prescription drugs–such as prescription antibiotics, corticosteroid hormones (hydrocortisone), and immunosuppressant drugs (i.e., cyclosporine) used to prevent organ transplant rejection can also cause electrolyte imbalance. Perhaps more commonly, chemotherapy or heart disease drugs can also upset electrolyte stores.
What is the most common electrolyte imbalance?
Hyponatremia is considered the most common electrolyte imbalance.
What deficiency causes electrolyte imbalance?
An electrolyte imbalance is the excess or lack of certain minerals in the body, such as sodium or calcium. Your body gets the electrolytes it needs from the intake of foods, liquids, and supplements. However, consuming too much, or not enough water can lead to an electrolyte imbalance.
What are 4 signs of an electrolyte imbalance?
What are electrolyte imbalance symptoms?Confusion and irritability.Diarrhea or constipation.Fatigue.Headaches.Irregular or fast heart rate (arrhythmia).Muscle cramps, muscle spasms or weakness.Nausea and vomiting.Numbness or tingling in limbs, fingers and toes.
What medications cause electrolyte imbalance?
Certain medications may cause an electrolyte imbalance such as:Chemotherapy drugs (cisplatin)Diuretics (furosemide[Lasix] or bumetanide [Bumex])Antibiotics (amphotericin B)Corticosteroids (hydrocortisone)
How do I restore my electrolyte balance?
Staying hydrated is key to maintaining a balance of electrolytes. Water is the most natural choice for hydration. It is less expensive and more available than any other drink. Coconut water is another alternative for replenishing electrolytes.
What is probably the most undiagnosed electrolyte deficiency?
What is probably the most undiagnosed electrolyte deficiency? hypomagnesemia is asymptomatic until the serum magnesium level (normal range 1.5 to 2.5 mEq/L) approaches 1.
What causes low sodium and potassium?
Adrenal gland insufficiency (Addison's disease) affects your adrenal glands' ability to produce hormones that help maintain your body's balance of sodium, potassium and water. Low levels of thyroid hormone also can cause a low blood-sodium level.
What is the fastest way to replenish electrolytes?
The best way to get electrolytes is by consuming them through your diet. You can get electrolytes from foods like chicken, watermelon, and avocado. You can also get electrolytes through drinks like 100% fruit juice, coconut water, or sports drinks.
What are electrolyte imbalances?
Electrolyte imbalances, also known as electrolyte disorders, refer to the variations of electrolyte levels within body fluids. Very high or very lo...
What causes electrolyte imbalances?
Electrolyte imbalances are caused by different conditions and medications that intervene with the body’s natural fluid balance.Sodium Hyponatremia...
What are the signs and symptoms of electrolyte imbalance?
Electrolyte imbalances have a very broad range of signs and symptoms, from being completely asymptomatic to having fatal arrhythmias. The coexisten...
How is an electrolyte imbalance diagnosed?
In order to diagnose any electrolyte imbalance, a thorough review of medical and personal history is often necessary. Additional information obtain...
How is an electrolyte imbalance treated?
Each electrolyte imbalance requires a different approach in order to be treated. Treatment of the underlying cause is the most effective way to res...
What are the most important facts to know about electrolyte imbalances?
Electrolyte imbalances are variations of the electrolyte levels, which are electrically charged molecules that preserve the body’s function. Conseq...
How to diagnose electrolyte imbalance?
Diagnosis of an electrolyte imbalance can be performed with a simple blood test. Electrolytes are usually tested as a group, along with other electrolytes and additional key laboratory values.
What happens if you have too much electrolyte?
For example, if a certain electrolyte is too high, the kidney might try to release more of it in your urine. Problems can happen if electrolytes are too high or too low. That's called an electrolyte imbalance, when the concentration of the specific electrolyte falls outside the normal range.
Why do you need electrolytes for a child?
For example, a child that is losing a lot of fluids through vomiting or diarrhea might benefit from an electrolyte drink to help prevent them from becoming dehydrated. Your pediatrician’s office may be able to provide guidance about when this might be helpful.
Why are electrolytes important?
For example, electrolytes are necessary for the proper contraction of your muscles , including the muscles of your heart. If your electrolyte levels are off , it can affect the way your nerves signal in the body.
What happens if your electrolyte levels are off?
If your electrolyte levels are off, it can affect the way your nerves signal in the body. They are critical for making sure your blood doesn’t become too acidic or too alkaline. Some electrolytes, like calcium, are key for blood clotting and bone health.
What happens if you lose a lot of fluid?
For example, prolonged exercise with lots of sweating might cause an imbalance. Vomiting, diarrhea, and severe burns are all causes of fluid loss that might lead to electrolyte imbalances. 4 .
Why do you need to be tested for electrolytes?
Sometimes they are tested as part of monitoring for people who have certain medical conditions that might alter electrolytes. These might include illness affecting your gastrointestinal system, your kidneys, your heart, your endocrine system, or your lungs. 3 They might need to be regularly tested if you are taking a medication that might change your electrolyte levels, like a diuretic .
What causes electrolyte imbalance?
Your body gets electrolytes from food and drink. Although the body is relatively good at balancing your electrolytes, your levels can become too high or too low when your body water levels change dramatically. For instance, if you lose much more water than you take in, you can become dehydrated.
Exercising in hot or humid conditions
Exercising in the heat and humidity can cause you to lose a lot of body water through sweat. The primary electrolyte that is lost through sweat is sodium. Although sodium has been given a bad rap, it is an essential mineral that helps your body retain fluid. Without enough sodium, you can quickly become dehydrated in hot, humid conditions.
Drinking too much water
Some athletes and casual exercisers drink an overabundance of plain water to prevent dehydration. Others consume a lot of filtered water throughout the day because getting in your nine glasses is a concept that’s been considered optimal for health.
Low-carb and keto diets
When you do not consume many carbohydrates due to a low carb or keto diet, insulin levels are reduced. When insulin levels fall, the kidneys retain less sodium. When you excrete water through urine or sweat electrolytes (in particular calcium, sodium, chloride, potassium, magnesium) are eliminated along with those fluids.
Endurance training
Workouts lasting less than an hour typically do not require a need for electrolytes. However, if you are training for longer than 1 hour or are sweating heavily, then it is wise to consider addressing your electrolyte balance with specific nutrition strategies such as an electrolyte supplement.
Very low-calorie diets or rapid weight loss
Very low-calorie diets and rapid weight loss are not recommended for most people and should only be done under medical supervision. If you’ve been dieting with an extreme calorie deficit or have lost a significant amount of weight in a short period, you may end up with an electrolyte imbalance due to insufficient nutrient intake.
What are the symptoms of electrolyte imbalance?
Are you experiencing the symptoms of electrolyte imbalance–such as dizziness, numbness, fatigue, constipation, achy joints, headache, bloating, indigestion, muscle spasms, and abnormal heartbeat –without the presence of a pre-existing health condition? You may want to re-examine your diet, according to research from Livestrong.com.
Why are electrolytes important?
However, an electrolyte imbalance can trigger a domino effect of negative and even deadly responses.
What foods are good for electrolytes?
A well-balanced, electrolyte-friendly diet should include an array of colorful fruits and vegetables, particularly water-laden and potassium-rich produce such as watermelon, oranges, spinach, sweet potatoes, and bananas.
Can over the counter medications cause electrolytes to be depleted?
According to Healthline.com certain seemingly innocent over-the-counter medications can wreak havoc on your electrolyte levels. For instance, certain drugs that cause excessive sweating or dehydration to occur such as diuretics can leave electrolytes depleted.
Can cyclosporine cause electrolyte imbalance?
Certain prescription drugs–such as prescription antibiotics, corticosteroid hormones (hydrocortisone), and immunosuppressant drugs (i.e., cyclosporine) used to prevent organ transplant rejection can also cause electrolyte imbalance.
Does T-DM1 cause low potassium?
The website notes that one particular targeted cancer therapy, known as Kadcyla, ado-trasturzumab emtansine, or T-DM1 can leave you with increased or decreased electrolyte stores due to low blood potassium , or low blood calcium, or hypercalcemia (excessive calcium) in lung, multiple myeloma, and breast cancer patients undergoing treatment.
Can electrolytes cause a domino effect?
However, an electrolyte imbalance can trigger a domino effect of negative and even deadly responses. Electrolyte stores typically deplete through fluid loss (i.e., urination and sweating), however, an electrolyte imbalance can also be caused by diet shortfalls, an illness, medications, or a physical disease, or hormonal imbalance…. 1.
What is electrolyte imbalance?
An electrolyte imbalance can occur if the body has too much or too little water. Electrolytes are minerals in the blood, tissues, and elsewhere throughout the body. Their name refers to the fact that they have an electrical charge. Below, learn what an electrolyte imbalance may feel like, what to look out for, and when to seek medical advice.
What does it mean when your electrolytes are too high?
When levels of electrolytes become too high or low, this is an electrolyte imbalance. It is not a disease, but it is a sign of another issue in the body.
Why do people need dialysis?
If a person has a more severe case of kidney disease, they may need dialysis to correct an electrolyte imbalance. Electrolyte imbalances can be dangerous. If an imbalance is severe, a person may need to receive electrolytes through an intravenous, or IV, line in a hospital.
What are the risks of electrolytes in children?
A child with an underlying health condition — such as thyroid, heart, or kidney disease — may have a higher risk of an electrolyte imbalance. If a child is at risk of dehydration or an electrolyte imbalance, seek urgent medical attention.
Why do children have a higher risk of dehydration than adults?
Children have a higher risk of dehydration than adults because of their smaller size and faster metabolism of fluids and electrolytes. If a child gets sick with severe vomiting or diarrhea, they may develop an electrolyte imbalance that requires medical attention.
What organs help maintain electrolytes?
The kidneys and liver help keep levels of electrolytes balanced. If a person is eating a variety of foods and drinking enough fluids, electrolytes usually stay at the right levels. Examples of electrolytes in the human body include: When levels of electrolytes become too high or low, this is an electrolyte imbalance.
How long does it take to correct electrolyte imbalance?
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.
Why do electrolytes need to be balanced?
Electrolytes need to be maintained in an even balance for your body to function properly. Otherwise, vital body systems can be affected. Severe electrolyte imbalances can cause serious problems such as coma, seizures, and cardiac arrest.
What to do if electrolyte imbalance is caused by medication?
If the electrolyte disorder is caused by medications or underlying conditions, your doctor will adjust your medication and treat the cause. This will help prevent future electrolyte imbalances.
What medications can you take for electrolyte disorder?
Depending on your electrolyte disorder, you may receive medications or supplements such as: phosphate binders, which include sevelamer hydrochloride (Renagel), lanthanum (Fosrenol), and calcium-based treatments such as calcium carbonate.
Why do you need hemodialysis?
Hemodialysis can be used when an electrolyte disorder is caused by sudden kidney damage and other treatments aren’t working. Your doctor may also decide on hemodialysis treatment if the electrolyte problem has become life-threatening.
How to diagnose electrolytes?
Diagnosing electrolyte disorders. 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 disorder.
What are the substances that are present in your blood, bodily fluids, and urine?
calcium. chloride. magnesium. phosphate. potassium. sodium . These substances are present in your blood, bodily fluids, and urine. They’re also ingested with food, drinks, and supplements. An electrolyte disorder occurs when the levels of electrolytes in your body are either too high or too low.
What does "hyper-" mean in electrolytes?
Elevated levels of an electrolyte are indicated with the prefix “hyper-.” Depleted levels of an electrolyte are indicated with “hypo-.”
What Are the Causes of an Electrolyte Imbalance?
An electrolyte imbalance is caused when you lose a large amount of body fluids. For example, if you are sweating or vomiting too much, it can lower the levels of some electrolytes in the body.
How Do You Replenish Electrolytes?
Maintaining a balance of electrolytes in your body is relatively easy :
Understanding Electrolytes
Types of Electrolyte Imbalance
- Your body works hard to keep the body’s electrolytes within a certain concentration in your blood. For example, if a certain electrolyte is too high, the kidney might try to release more of it in your urine. Problems can happen if electrolytes are too high or too low. That's called an electrolyte imbalance, when the concentration of the specific electrolyte falls outside the normal range. Ele…
Electrolyte Imbalance Symptoms
- Symptoms vary based on the specific electrolytes involved, as well as the severity of the imbalance. Depending on the situation, some potential symptoms might include:3 1. Headache 2. Dizziness 3. Confusion 4. Fatigue 5. Nausea and vomiting 6. Frequent urination 7. Constipation 8. Increased heart rate 9. Muscle cramps or muscle weakness 10. Poor coordination when walki…
Causes
- A variety of different causes can lead to electrolyte imbalances. Any time you lose a lot of fluids from your body, you are at risk of certain electrolyte imbalances. For example, prolonged exercise with lots of sweating might cause an imbalance. Vomiting, diarrhea, and severe burns are all causes of fluid loss that might lead to electrolyte imbala...
Diagnosis
- Diagnosis of an electrolyte imbalance can be performed with a simple blood test. Electrolytes are usually tested as a group, along with other electrolytes and additional key laboratory values. For example, you might have many of your electrolytes tested during a set of blood tests called a basic metabolic panel or as a part of a more complete set of tests called a comprehensive meta…
Treatment
- Treating Underlying Medical Problem
Treatment of electrolyte imbalances will depend on the underlying medical problem. Often the electrolyte problem will resolve after the underlying health condition is treated. Especially in someone with a relatively mild imbalance, this might be the only intervention needed. For examp… - Fixing Dehydration or Overhydration
If dehydration is part of the cause, a person may need to receive intravenous fluids. On the other hand, if the person is over-hydrated, they might need to limit how much fluids they are drinking and potentially take diuretics (to help them get rid of extra fluid via the urine).1
Prevention
- In someone losing a lot of fluids, it may be helpful to provide drinks that have extra electrolytes in them. For example, a child that is losing a lot of fluids through vomiting or diarrhea might benefit from an electrolyte drink to help prevent them from becoming dehydrated. Your pediatrician’s office may be able to provide guidance about when this might be helpful. Many people are also f…