What makes electrolytes

Wanting to understand what had happened, he asked the specialists what he could do to prevent another frightening episode.

Strange advice? Fluids and electrolytes are both essential for our cells, organs and body systems to work properly. Electrolytes are electrically charged minerals and compounds that help your body do much of its work — producing energy and contracting your muscles, for example. Sodium, chloride, potassium and calcium are all types of electrolytes.

See chart below for more examples. We get them from what we eat and drink. Electrolyte levels are measured in blood tests, and their levels must stay within a fairly small range, or serious problems may arise. To ensure that you have enough electrolytes, stay hydrated and eat foods rich in electrolytes, including spinach, turkey, potatoes, beans, avocados, oranges, soybeans edamame , strawberries and bananas.

The risk may be higher if your kidneys are not working well. However, supplements can cause problems — for example, too much calcium can increase your risk of kidney stones — so always talk to your doctor before you start to take them.

Older folks with chronic illness who have low sodium will have more symptoms than younger, healthy people with the same low sodium level. May not have symptoms unless level changes are severe. Since it is closely tied to sodium, some people have symptoms of hyponatremia low sodium levels in the blood. With calcium, it regulates nerve and muscle activity.

Important for enzyme reactions. Calcium in blood is ionized carries an electrical charge and helps regulate cell function, heart rate and blood clotting.

The body needs vitamin D to absorb calcium. Ionized calcium level range is 4. Blood tests measure inorganic phosphate. The body needs vitamin D to absorb phosphorus. Low sodium, also called hypo natremia, causes water to move into cells. High sodium, or hyper natremia, causes fluid to move out of the cells. When either of these things happens in brain cells, it can cause personality changes, headache, confusion and lethargy. If the sodium drop is severe, it can result in seizures, coma and death.

Otherwise, vital body systems can be affected. Severe electrolyte imbalances can cause serious problems such as coma, seizures , and cardiac arrest. Mild forms of electrolyte disorders may not cause any symptoms. Symptoms usually start to appear once a particular disorder becomes more severe. Electrolyte disturbances can become life-threatening if left untreated. Electrolyte disorders are most often caused by a loss of bodily fluids through prolonged vomiting, diarrhea, or sweating.

They may also develop due to fluid loss related to burns. Certain medications can cause electrolyte disorders as well. In some cases, underlying diseases, such as acute or chronic kidney disease , are to blame. Calcium is a vital mineral that your body uses to stabilize blood pressure and control skeletal muscle contraction. Hypercalcemia occurs when you have too much calcium in the blood.

This is usually caused by:. Hypocalcemia occurs due to a lack of adequate calcium in the bloodstream. Causes can include:. It can happen as a result of:. Magnesium is a critical mineral that regulates many important functions, such as:. Hypermagnesemia means excess amounts of magnesium. Hypomagnesemia means having too little magnesium in the body.

Common causes include:. The kidneys , bones, and intestines work to balance phosphate levels in the body. Phosphate is necessary for a wide variety of functions and interacts closely with calcium. Hyperphosphatemia can occur due to:.

Low levels of phosphate, or hypophosphatemia , can be seen in:. Potassium is particularly important for regulating heart function. It also helps maintain healthy nerves and muscles. Hyperkalemia may develop due to high levels of potassium. This condition can be fatal if left undiagnosed and untreated.

Hypokalemia occurs when potassium levels are too low. This often happens as a result of:. Sodium is necessary for the body to maintain fluid balance and is critical for normal body function. It also helps to regulate nerve function and muscle contraction. Abnormally high levels of sodium may be caused by:. Common causes of low sodium levels include:. 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. However, the symptoms of an imbalance can be severe, and a person may need to be hospitalized and monitored during the treatment.

Doctors mainly use this to treat an electrolyte shortage alongside dehydration, which tends to follow severe diarrhea. In more severe cases of an electrolyte shortage, healthcare professionals may administer the electrolyte orally or through an IV drip. An infusion of saltwater solution or compound sodium lactate, for example, can help treat a shortage of sodium. Some causes of an electrolyte shortage, such as kidney disease, are not preventable.

In general, having a well-managed diet can help reduce the risk of low electrolyte levels. Also, having a moderate amount of a sports drink during or after any kind of exertion or exercise can help limit the effects of losing electrolytes through sweat.

For people who do not need treatment in a hospital, a doctor may recommend dietary changes or supplements to balance electrolyte concentrations. When levels of an electrolyte are too low, it is important to have foods and drinks that contain high amounts of that electrolyte. Here are some options:. It is worth knowing how much of each electrolyte is in a type of food or drink. The Department of Agriculture has a searchable database of nutritional contents.

Supplements are also an option for managing low levels of an electrolyte. For example, older adults often do not consume enough potassium, and treatments with corticosteroids or diuretic medications can also reduce these levels. In this case, potassium tablets can boost the concentration in the blood. Some sports drinks, gels, and candies can restore levels of electrolytes such as sodium and potassium during and after exercise.

They can also help the body retain water. However, these products sometimes contain high electrolyte contents, and consuming too much can lead to an excess.

Some also contain high levels of sugar. It is important to carefully follow any treatment or supplementation plan that a health professional recommends. Restoring the balance of electrolytes by making dietary changes should lead to an improvement in symptoms.

If it does not, a doctor may order further tests to identify any underlying health conditions that may be causing the imbalance.

Recommended intakes of some of the most common electrolytes are as follows:. An imbalance can affect the way the body works and lead to a range of symptoms.

For example, if a person feels faint after a workout, an electrolyte imbalance could be one reason. Consuming electrolytes during or after intense exercise and other periods of profuse sweating can help preserve the balance.

Be sure to stay hydrated at all times. Anyone with concerns should contact a healthcare professional. Antioxidants are mostly found in plant foods. They are natural molecules that help neutralize harmful free radicals in our bodies.

Free radicals are…. We look at hyperchloremia, where a high level of chloride in the blood causes an electrolyte imbalance.