Electrolytes play an important role in many functions in the human body. If the body’s electrolyte balance is impaired, it can cause serious diseases.
What are electrolytes?
Electrolytes are chemical compounds and act as a form of so-called ionic conductor. This means that electrolytes allow electrical charges to be transported. This works in part because of the movement of ions (atoms or molecules that are electrically charged). Electrolytes can exist in liquid or solid form: In principle, liquids are electrolytes whenever they contain ions, because in liquids ions usually have the ability to move. However, some solids also contain mobile ions and are thus capable of serving as electrolytes. While the ions of some solid electrolytes are already mobile at room temperature, other solids first require high temperatures for contained ions to become mobile and thus for the solids to be used as electrolytes.
Meaning and function
Various electrolytes that play an important role in the human body and its health are also known as biological electrolytes. Among other things, these biological electrolytes are needed for various cellular functions. Corresponding electrolytes are, for example, calcium, potassium, magnesium and sodium. In the healthy human body, the electrolytes present inside cells (intracellular electrolytes) and the electrolytes present outside cells (extracellular electrolytes) always maintain a certain balance. This balance of electrolytes is, for example, an important prerequisite for the regulation of water balance. Various body fluids are affected by the water balance, such as cerebrospinal fluid, bile, synovial fluid and fluids present in the stomach and intestines. In addition, a balance of electrolytes is necessary to regulate the blood pH: this value must be within very narrow limits in the healthy body. The lower the blood pH, the less oxygen the oxygen-carrying proteins of the blood (called hemoglobin) can bind to. Furthermore, electrolytes play an important role in the functioning and interaction of nerve cells and muscle cells. Within these cells, the concentrations of various electrolytes are regulated, among other things, by ion channels (at these points, ions can pass between through the cell walls). A physical balance of different electrolytes is maintained, among other things, by the intake of nutrients containing electrolytes. Electrolytes that the body does not need are usually excreted. The uptake and release of corresponding electrolytes is regulated primarily by various endogenous hormones.
Hazards, disorders, risks and diseases
The body’s electrolyte balance in humans can be impaired by, among other things, an excessive loss of various electrolytes. This can happen, for example, through vomiting, diarrhea or heavy sweating. Furthermore, pronounced alcohol consumption or malnutrition can lead to a deficiency of electrolytes. And disorders of endocrine glands (i.e. glands that produce hormones and then release them into the bloodstream) can also negatively affect the electrolyte balance. In medicine, one speaks of an electrolyte disorder when the measured electrolyte level in a person deviates significantly from a normal level. If such a disturbance of the electrolytes is present over a longer period of time, this can lead to impairments of the nervous system and to heart problems, among other things. A disturbance of the electrolytes can also lead, for example, to a drop in the pH value in the blood, which then leads to so-called acidosis (hyperacidity). If the blood pH is correspondingly elevated, this is referred to as alkalosis. If a disturbance of the electrolytes is very pronounced, in some cases it can lead to the failure of organs and even to the death of an affected person. Severe electrolyte disorders are therefore often treated as medical emergencies. If serious electrolyte disturbances occur, they usually manifest themselves in terms of the electrolytes sodium, potassium or calcium. If the electrolyte level is elevated in an electrolyte disorder, this is indicated by the prefix ‘hyper’ (e.g.’hypernatremia‘), if the concentration of certain electrolytes is decreased, this is indicated by the prefix ‘hypo’ (e.g., ‘hyponatremia’).
