What Are Electrolites?

An important part of keeping the body healthy is to ensure that it has a proper electrolyte balance. Electrolytes are responsible for keeping muscles healthy and strong. This includes the heart muscle. The electrical impulses provided by electrolytes keep the heart beating, and supply other bodily cells with the proper "voltage" to keep them functioning normally.

Electrolytes

• According to medicalnewstoday.com, "an electrolyte is any compound that, in solution or in molten form, conducts electricity and is decomposed by it. It is an ionizable substance in solution." An electrolyte contains free ions that conduct electricity, and all higher forms of life depend on electrolytes for their very existence.

  Electrolytes take the form of sodium, potassium, calcium, bicarbonate, magnesium, chloride, hydrogen phosphate and hydrogen carbonate in the human body. They are beneficial for maintaining nerve and muscle function as well as hydration levels, blood pressure, pH levels in the blood, and for tissue repair.

Electrolyte levels

• Consistent levels of food and water intake help to regulate the electrolyte balance in the body. However, dehydration and over hydration can both have drastic impacts on electrolyte levels. Eating a well balanced diet, and keeping the body hydrated is necessary to promote a proper electrolyte balance.

Electrolyte Imbalance

• An electrolyte imbalance can be caused by either too low or too high levels of electrolytes. This is caused when sodium, potassium, magnesium, or calcium levels are off kilter.

  Symptoms for an electrolyte imbalance differ depending on whether there are too many or not enough electrolytes in the system. These symptoms include weakness, twitching and seizures. Numbness, muscle spasms, as well as disorders of the nervous system can also be warnings of an electrolyte imbalance. Other symptoms include fatigue, irregular heartbeats, convulsions, confusion, bone disorders, and changes in blood pressure levels, whether higher or lower.

Causes for Imbalance

• There can be several causes for electrolyte imbalances, and it is important to be aware of them. People who suffer from excessive vomiting, dehydration, as well as bulimia, may experience an imbalance of electrolytes.

  Climate factors such as heat waves can also cause electrolyte imbalances in some people, especially the young and elderly. This is because of the heightened risk of dehydration due to excessive sweating.

  Kidney disease, congestive heart failure, as well as the treatments often used for cancer can cause electrolyte imbalances.

Electrolyte Panel

• Doctors can run tests to see if the cause of any symptom a patient has is related to an electrolyte imbalance. These tests are run to check for both electrolyte and acid based imbalances. Electrolyte imbalances are often causes of both acute and chronic illness.