Electrolyte Imbalance Treatment

Electrolytes are chemicals in the bloodstream that help regulate nerves and muscles. When dissolved in water, electrolytes are either positively or negatively charged. The chemical reactions and levels must be maintained in order for proper body function. Some electrolytes include potassium, calcium, magnesium and sodium.

Symptoms

• Symptoms of an electrolyte imbalance include muscle weakness or twitching, fatigue, irregular heartbeat, blood pressure changes and confusion.

Diagnosis

• An electrolyte imbalance is diagnosed through a physical exam, urine and blood test results. Depending on those test results, more tests such as an EKG for the heart or an ultrasound of the kidneys may be done.

Treatment of Sodium

• If the sodium levels are too low, treatment will include restricting water/fluids and getting IV saline solution. If the sodium levels are too high, treatment will include slowly replacing fluids lost, typically by IV solution.

Treatment of Potassium

• Treating low potassium levels includes watching the diet, potassium supplements, and IV treatment. If high levels of potassium are the problem, the treatment will be diuretics and potassium given via IV and possibly insulin given with glucose to help cell absorption of potassium.

Prevention/Solution

• Besides immediate treatment for the imbalance, it's important to find out the cause behind the imbalance. Those could include loss of bodily fluids due to illness, improper diet, stomach disorders, hormone/endocrine problems, kidney disease, side effects of chemotherapy or medications. Medications that could cause electrolyte imbalances include steroids, laxatives, cough medicines, diuretics, birth control pills, tricyclic antidepressants and heavy antacid usage.