Electrolyte imbalance: Difference between revisions
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= Electrolyte | {{SI}} | ||
{{Infobox medical condition | |||
[[File:Stomatocytosis.jpg| | | name = Electrolyte imbalance | ||
| image = [[File:Stomatocytosis.jpg|250px]] | |||
| caption = Blood smear showing [[stomatocytosis]], a condition that can be associated with electrolyte imbalance. | |||
| field = [[Nephrology]], [[Endocrinology]] | |||
| symptoms = [[Fatigue]], [[muscle weakness]], [[headache]], [[nausea]], [[confusion]], [[seizures]] | |||
| complications = [[Cardiac arrest]], [[coma]], [[death]] | |||
| onset = Sudden or gradual | |||
| duration = Varies depending on cause and treatment | |||
| causes = [[Dehydration]], [[kidney disease]], [[heart failure]], [[medications]], [[vomiting]], [[diarrhea]] | |||
| risks = [[Chronic kidney disease]], [[heart disease]], [[diuretics]], [[elderly age]] | |||
| diagnosis = [[Blood test]], [[urine test]] | |||
| differential = [[Acid-base imbalance]], [[endocrine disorders]] | |||
| prevention = Adequate [[hydration]], [[balanced diet]], monitoring of [[electrolyte levels]] | |||
| treatment = [[Intravenous fluids]], [[electrolyte replacement therapy]], addressing underlying cause | |||
| prognosis = Varies; can be life-threatening if untreated | |||
| frequency = Common, especially in hospitalized patients | |||
}} | |||
An '''electrolyte imbalance''' occurs when the levels of electrolytes in your body are either too high or too low. Electrolytes are minerals with an electric charge; they are found in your blood, urine, tissues, and other body fluids. Essential electrolytes include sodium (Na), potassium (K), chloride (Cl), bicarbonate (CO2), glucose, and blood urea nitrogen (BUN). These imbalances can affect various bodily functions, including fluid balance, heart rhythm, muscle contraction, and nerve signaling. | An '''electrolyte imbalance''' occurs when the levels of electrolytes in your body are either too high or too low. Electrolytes are minerals with an electric charge; they are found in your blood, urine, tissues, and other body fluids. Essential electrolytes include sodium (Na), potassium (K), chloride (Cl), bicarbonate (CO2), glucose, and blood urea nitrogen (BUN). These imbalances can affect various bodily functions, including fluid balance, heart rhythm, muscle contraction, and nerve signaling. | ||
== Introduction == | |||
== | |||
Electrolytes are vital for the normal function of cells and organs. They help to maintain stable blood pH, carry electrical signals that power bodily functions, and manage the amount of fluids throughout your body. An imbalance can result from dehydration, medications, diseases, or other medical conditions. | Electrolytes are vital for the normal function of cells and organs. They help to maintain stable blood pH, carry electrical signals that power bodily functions, and manage the amount of fluids throughout your body. An imbalance can result from dehydration, medications, diseases, or other medical conditions. | ||
== Causes == | == Causes == | ||
Common causes of electrolyte imbalances include: | Common causes of electrolyte imbalances include: | ||
| Line 16: | Line 29: | ||
* Medications that affect electrolyte levels, such as diuretics | * Medications that affect electrolyte levels, such as diuretics | ||
* Hormonal imbalances | * Hormonal imbalances | ||
== Symptoms == | == Symptoms == | ||
Symptoms vary depending on which electrolyte is out of balance and whether the level is too high or too low. They can include: | Symptoms vary depending on which electrolyte is out of balance and whether the level is too high or too low. They can include: | ||
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* Irregular heartbeat | * Irregular heartbeat | ||
* Confusion or seizures | * Confusion or seizures | ||
== Diagnosis == | == Diagnosis == | ||
Diagnosis of an electrolyte imbalance involves: | Diagnosis of an electrolyte imbalance involves: | ||
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* Review of medical history and symptoms | * Review of medical history and symptoms | ||
* Physical examination | * Physical examination | ||
== Treatment == | == Treatment == | ||
Treatment depends on the specific electrolyte imbalance and its severity. Options may include: | Treatment depends on the specific electrolyte imbalance and its severity. Options may include: | ||
| Line 39: | Line 49: | ||
* Adjustments to medication | * Adjustments to medication | ||
* Dietary changes | * Dietary changes | ||
== Management and Prevention == | == Management and Prevention == | ||
Managing and preventing electrolyte imbalances involves: | Managing and preventing electrolyte imbalances involves: | ||
| Line 46: | Line 55: | ||
* Monitoring and managing chronic conditions | * Monitoring and managing chronic conditions | ||
* Regularly reviewing medications with a healthcare provider | * Regularly reviewing medications with a healthcare provider | ||
== See Also == | == See Also == | ||
* [[Hydration]] | * [[Hydration]] | ||
* [[Kidney Function]] | * [[Kidney Function]] | ||
* [[Diet and Nutrition]] | * [[Diet and Nutrition]] | ||
== External Links == | == External Links == | ||
* [https://www.mayoclinic.org/symptoms/electrolyte-disorder/basics/definition/sym-20050813 Mayo Clinic - Electrolyte Disorder] | * [https://www.mayoclinic.org/symptoms/electrolyte-disorder/basics/definition/sym-20050813 Mayo Clinic - Electrolyte Disorder] | ||
* [https://medlineplus.gov/fluidandelectrolytebalance.html MedlinePlus - Fluid and Electrolyte Balance] | * [https://medlineplus.gov/fluidandelectrolytebalance.html MedlinePlus - Fluid and Electrolyte Balance] | ||
== References == | == References == | ||
<references/> | <references/> | ||
* "Electrolyte Imbalance." Healthline. [https://www.healthline.com/health/electrolyte-disorders] | * "Electrolyte Imbalance." Healthline. [https://www.healthline.com/health/electrolyte-disorders] | ||
* "Understanding Electrolytes: Important Diagnostic Clues to Patient Status." Merck Manual Professional Version. [https://www.merckmanuals.com/professional/endocrine-and-metabolic-disorders/electrolyte-disorders/introduction-to-electrolyte-disorders] | * "Understanding Electrolytes: Important Diagnostic Clues to Patient Status." Merck Manual Professional Version. [https://www.merckmanuals.com/professional/endocrine-and-metabolic-disorders/electrolyte-disorders/introduction-to-electrolyte-disorders] | ||
[[Category:Metabolic disorders]] | [[Category:Metabolic disorders]] | ||
[[Category:Electrolytes]] | [[Category:Electrolytes]] | ||
{{stub}} | {{stub}} | ||
{{med-stub}} | {{med-stub}} | ||
Latest revision as of 01:57, 6 April 2025
Editor-In-Chief: Prab R Tumpati, MD
Obesity, Sleep & Internal medicine
Founder, WikiMD Wellnesspedia &
W8MD medical weight loss NYC and sleep center NYC
| Electrolyte imbalance | |
|---|---|
| |
| Synonyms | N/A |
| Pronounce | N/A |
| Specialty | N/A |
| Symptoms | Fatigue, muscle weakness, headache, nausea, confusion, seizures |
| Complications | Cardiac arrest, coma, death |
| Onset | Sudden or gradual |
| Duration | Varies depending on cause and treatment |
| Types | N/A |
| Causes | Dehydration, kidney disease, heart failure, medications, vomiting, diarrhea |
| Risks | Chronic kidney disease, heart disease, diuretics, elderly age |
| Diagnosis | Blood test, urine test |
| Differential diagnosis | Acid-base imbalance, endocrine disorders |
| Prevention | Adequate hydration, balanced diet, monitoring of electrolyte levels |
| Treatment | Intravenous fluids, electrolyte replacement therapy, addressing underlying cause |
| Medication | N/A |
| Prognosis | Varies; can be life-threatening if untreated |
| Frequency | Common, especially in hospitalized patients |
| Deaths | N/A |
An electrolyte imbalance occurs when the levels of electrolytes in your body are either too high or too low. Electrolytes are minerals with an electric charge; they are found in your blood, urine, tissues, and other body fluids. Essential electrolytes include sodium (Na), potassium (K), chloride (Cl), bicarbonate (CO2), glucose, and blood urea nitrogen (BUN). These imbalances can affect various bodily functions, including fluid balance, heart rhythm, muscle contraction, and nerve signaling.
Introduction[edit]
Electrolytes are vital for the normal function of cells and organs. They help to maintain stable blood pH, carry electrical signals that power bodily functions, and manage the amount of fluids throughout your body. An imbalance can result from dehydration, medications, diseases, or other medical conditions.
Causes[edit]
Common causes of electrolyte imbalances include:
- Dehydration due to not drinking enough fluids, excessive sweating, diarrhea, or vomiting
- Kidney disease
- Poor diet lacking essential nutrients
- Chronic respiratory problems like COPD
- Medications that affect electrolyte levels, such as diuretics
- Hormonal imbalances
Symptoms[edit]
Symptoms vary depending on which electrolyte is out of balance and whether the level is too high or too low. They can include:
- Fatigue or lethargy
- Nausea and vomiting
- Headaches
- Muscle cramps and weakness
- Irregular heartbeat
- Confusion or seizures
Diagnosis[edit]
Diagnosis of an electrolyte imbalance involves:
- Blood tests to measure the levels of various electrolytes
- Urine tests
- Review of medical history and symptoms
- Physical examination
Treatment[edit]
Treatment depends on the specific electrolyte imbalance and its severity. Options may include:
- Oral supplements
- Intravenous fluids and electrolytes
- Adjustments to medication
- Dietary changes
Management and Prevention[edit]
Managing and preventing electrolyte imbalances involves:
- Staying hydrated
- Eating a balanced diet rich in essential minerals
- Monitoring and managing chronic conditions
- Regularly reviewing medications with a healthcare provider
See Also[edit]
External Links[edit]
References[edit]
<references/>
