The human body consists mainly of water, which contains so-called electrolytes. Electrolytes are ions that are essential for the acid-base balance and the development of membrane potentials. These membrane potentials are responsible for the transmission of stimuli in the nervous system and control our muscle activity, both skeletal and cardiac.
The most important representatives are sodium, potassium, chloride, calcium, magnesium, phosphate and hydrogen carbonate ions. Electrolyte disorders can therefore become life-threatening if they are not corrected early. Fortunately, this is usually easily achieved by drinking mineral water and eating foods such as table salt, whole grain products and milk.
Causes
Electrolyte disorders usually occur when the body’s water balance is out of balance. Either there is an excess of water (hyperhydration) or a lack of water (dehydration). Depending on the ratio of water to electrolytes that are lost or excess, both situations can result in both electrolyte deficiency and electrolyte excess.
The reasons for this can be manifold. Find out how to recognize a lack of fluid in dehydration. Exercise, a sauna or simply a hot summer’s day lead to sweating and thus inevitably to an electrolyte deficiency.
Sweating is called hypertonic dehydration. This means that the body is deprived of both water and electrolytes, but proportionally much more water is lost. The remaining electrolytes in the blood are thus less diluted and consequently increase.
There is therefore initially a surplus of electrolytes. In the long run, however, the water is more strongly absorbed and this results in an electrolyte deficiency. To prevent such an electrolyte deficiency, it is important to drink enough.
Mineral water or tap water are completely sufficient as electrolyte source, because they contain the required ions in dissolved form and can be absorbed by the body quickly. Especially for athletes, the so-called “isotonic” drinks are often offered. These contain a similar concentration of electrolytes as the blood, which is why the body can absorb them particularly well.
However, these drinks often contain flavor enhancers and sugar to balance the salty taste of the electrolytes. Alternatively, you can mix an apple spritzer with juice and water in a 3:1 ratio. Taking certain medicines can also cause electrolyte disorders.
First of all, dehydrating/diuretic drugs (diuretics) and laxatives should be mentioned. If you are taking them over a longer period of time, regular monitoring of blood values is essential. Antibiotics can have a similar effect.
The above-mentioned medications should therefore by no means be dosed on their own, but always in consultation with the treating physician. Electrolytes from liquid and solid food are absorbed by the body in the intestines. If there are problems in the gastrointestinal tract, this also affects the electrolyte balance.
Possible causes can be:
- Improper parenteral nutrition (via the blood vessel system)
- Malnutrition (e.g. due to chronic absorption disorders, eating disorders or chronic alcohol abuse)
- Diarrhea
- Vomiting
The kidney is the most important organ in the regulation of fluid and electrolyte balance. But the adrenal gland also produces hormones, which have a great influence on it. Chronic kidney disease results in a reduced function of the filter system as well as a reduced or suspended hormone production in the kidney.
Signs of such a disease are reduced urine production, swelling of the hands, face and legs, shortness of breath, sleep disturbances, loss of appetite, nausea/vomiting, increased blood pressure, as well as freezing and tiredness. A disease of the adrenal cortex that causes problems in this respect is Addison’s disease. This is an autoimmune disease that destroys the tissue of the adrenal cortex.
Thus, in addition to sex hormones, cortisol or aldosterone are no longer produced. Symptomatically, this deficiency manifests itself in the form of low blood pressure (hypotension), “salt cravings”, a feeling of weakness, nausea and vomiting, and weight loss. Another hormone, the so-called ACTH, is produced in a counter-regulating manner. When this hormone is split, a product is produced that causes hyperpigmentation of the skin. Addison’s patients therefore look as if they are coming from vacation, although they are actually seriously ill.Other causes for a disturbance of the electrolyte balance are
- Infections (in combination with fever)
- An uncontrolled diabetes mellitus
- Bleeding and massive tissue damage such as extensive burns, extensive trauma (injuries), rhabdomyolysis (destruction of muscle tissue) or haemolysis (destruction of blood cells)
- Drinking sea water
- Drinking distilled water
- Excessive drinking of isotonic beverages
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