What to do if the values are too low?
Too low electrolytes in the blood must be balanced to avoid or remedy health consequences. However, if the sodium level in the blood is too low, it must be borne in mind that a too rapid compensation can lead to dangerous consequences such as pontine myelinolysis (dissolution of the nerve fiber sheaths in the area of the bridge, in the brain stem) and the resulting neurological deficits. A too low sodium level should therefore be treated slowly with infusions.
If the too low sodium level has developed over a very short period of time, compensation can also be faster than if a chronically too low sodium level has to be treated. Potassium levels that are slightly too low can be compensated by a potassium-rich diet (e.g. bananas) or by means of potassium chloride effervescent tablets. Potassium levels that are clearly too low require an intravenous supply of potassium.
If the calcium level is too low, tetany (muscle cramps due to calcium deficiency, e.g. in hyperventilation) can be compensated by the intravenous administration of calcium to quickly end the tetany. To compensate for chronic calcium deficiency, calcium is administered in combination with vitamin D as a chewable tablet to prevent bone breakdown. A slight phosphate deficiency is also treated with a phosphate-rich diet (e.g. milk) and the administration of vitamin D chewable tablets; a more severe deficiency can only be treated by the intravenous administration of phosphate.
What to do if the values are too high?
Too high values of electrolytes in the blood should also be balanced in order to avoid or remedy health consequences. Depending on the cause, excessive sodium levels are treated by the intravenous administration of glucose and fluid solution or by the intravenous administration of glucose and diuretics (increase urine production). When compensating, it should be noted that lowering sodium levels too quickly can lead to brain edema.
Too high a potassium level (hyperkalemia) can be lowered in an emergency situation by the intravenous administration of glucose and insulin, thus more potassium is absorbed into the cells and removed from the but. The administration of sodium bicarbonate increases the pH value of the blood. An elevated blood pH also causes more potassium to be absorbed into the cells.
In addition, potassium can be removed from the blood by increasing urine production with diuretics or by dialysis.A too high calcium level is “flushed” out of the body by means of increased urine production. If the high calcium level is caused by a bone tumor or bone metastasis, the administration of certain drugs (bisphosphonates) can inhibit the activity of the cells responsible for bone resorption and thus lower the calcium level.
