Electrolyte are naturally occurring positively and negatively charged molecules called ions. The blood Electrolyte include; Sodium, Potassium, Chloride, Calcium, Bicarbonate, Magnesium, Phosphate. Electrolyte imbalance is an abnormality in the concentration of electrolyte in the body

CAUSES OF ELECTROLYTE IMBALANCE

Loss of Body Fluid
Malabsorption
Medications
Inadequate diet
Age
Kidney disease
Hormonal or Endocrine disorders
Tumor lysis syndrome
SYMPTOMS OF ELECTROLYTE IMBALANCE

Fatigue
Nausea
Muscle weakness
Headaches
Abdominal Cramping
Vomiting
Numbness
Convulsion
Irritability
Diarrhea


TYPES OF ELECTROLYTE IMBALANCE
Calcium ; Hypercalcemia and Hypocalcemia
Chloride ; Hyperchloremia and Hypocholoremia
Potassium ; Hyperkalemia and Hypokalemia
Sodium ; Hypernatremia and Hyponatremia
Biocarbonate
Magnesium ; Hypermagnesemia and Hypomagnesemia
Phospahate ; Hyperphosphatemia and Hypophosphatemia
CALCIUM
Calcium is vital for stabilising blood pressure and control muscle contraction

Conditions of Calicum Imbalances
Hypercalcemia
Hypocalcemia
CHLORIDE
For maintaining proper balance of body fluids

Conditions of chloride imbalances
Hyperchloremia
Hypochloremia  
SODIUM
To maintain fluid balance and normal body function

Conditions of sodium imbalances
Hypernatremia
Hyponatremia
Potassium
For regulating Heart Function

Conditions of potassium imbalance
Hyperkalemia
Hypokalemia
Magnesium
For relaxtion of the smooth muscle that surrounds the bronchial tubes in the lungs, skeletal muscle contraction

Conditions of magnesium imbalances
Hypermagnesemia
Hypomagnemial
BICARBONATE
It keeps the acid - base status of the body in balance.  When the body malfunctions bicarbonate is needed to try to compensate for extra acid production

Risk factors of Electrolyte Imbalance
Anyone can develop electrolyte imbalance, certain people can be more at risk due to medical history.

Alcohol use disorder
Cirrhosis
Congestive Heart failure
Kidney disease
Eating disorder e.g Anorexia
Truama e.g Burns and broken bones
Thyroid and parathyroid disorders
Adrenal gland disorders


 

Measurement of Electrolytes
Electrolyte are measured by a process known as potentiometry. The method measures the voltage that develops between the inner and outer  Surfaces of an ion selective electrode .

LABORATORY DIAGNOSIS OF ELECTROLYTE IMBALANCE
Electrolyte Panel or Lyte Blood Test for screening imbalances of electrolyte in the blood and measure acid – balance and kidney function.

NORMAL ADULT VALUES
Calcium (8.1. – 10.4)mg/dl
Magnesium (1.5 – 2.5)mg/dl
Chloride (96 – 110)mmol/l
Sodium (135 -145)mmol/l
Bicarbonate (20 -30)mmol/l
Potasssium (3.5 – 5.3)mmol/l
The values defers depending on the laboratory



PREVENTION OF ELECTROLYTE IMBALANCE

Diets
Stay hydrated if you are experiencing prolonged vomiting, diarrhea or sweating
If caused by medications, meet your doctor to adjust your drugs


TREATMENT OF ELECTROLYTE IMBALANCE

Supplement
Hemodialysis
Medications
Electrolyte Replacement Therapy
Oral Hydration Therapy