Electrolyte imbalance symptoms

What is most dangerous of the electrolyte imbalance? How to restore electrolyte balance? What are the side effects of low electrolytes? Can drinking too much water cause an electrolyte imbalance? Because electrolytes have so many different roles within the body, an imbalance normally causes noticeable changes in how you feel pretty quickly.

Electrolyte Imbalance Diagnosis. If you are experiencing any symptoms of an electrolyte imbalance or feeling concerned otherwise, make certain to visit a doctor. Find to health issues you can trust from Healthgrades. Generally speaking, minor electrolyte imbalances are not very symptomatic.

Most people can display no symptoms and still have slightly elevated or diminished levels of most electrolytes on a blood test. However, if an electrolyte imbalance escalates to the point that it becomes significant, it can be deadly. People may begin experiencing irregular heartbeats or notice circulation problems in the extremities. What causes electrolyte imbalances?

A number of things can cause an electrolyte imbalance , including:. They help to regulate heart and neurological function, fluid balance, oxygen delivery, acid–base balance and much more. Symptoms of electrolyte imbalance. So now that you know how important electrolytes are, how can you recognize an imbalance in your electrolyte levels. Because of their importance to so many bodily functions, a deficiency or imbalance in electrolytes will typically cause a variety of noticeable symptoms.

The four most prominent electrolytes found in your body are sodium, potassium, calcium, and magnesium. Potassium is an electrolyte with many essential jobs: It helps conduct nerve impulses and muscle contractions, regulates the flow of fluids and nutrients into and out of body cells, and helps keep your blood pressure in check—partly by countering the effects of sodium. Essentially, the level of potassium in your blood can make the difference.

It is routinely ordered to give the doctor an insight into a possible electrolyte imbalance , which could be causing a variety of health conditions. Signs of electrolyte imbalance. When the amount of electrolytes in your body is too high or too low, you can develop: Dizziness. The most common sign of low electrolytes is muscle cramping, which can be excruciating and debilitating.

Bone disorders or nervous system is also the symptom of such a case. However, symptoms can sometimes be severe, and a person may need to be hospitalized and monitored during treatment. Treatment may be given by mouth or by injection. Seldom, too much exercise and heavy exertion can cause an imbalance in the body as well.

In case you are experiencing any of the above mentioned signs and symptoms it is vital that you consult your physician and ascertain the cause. A chronic, but minor, electrolyte imbalance might place a strain on your system for months of years, however not manifest in obvious symptoms that spur you to ascertain a doctor. With hyponatremia, as explained by Dr. Examples of electrolytes are calcium, magnesium, potassium, and sodium. Little attention is paid when fluid or electrolyte imbalance lies between the two extremes when symptoms can be evident but laboratory tests are normal.

This is especially evident for those in the fluid depletion side of the spectrum. In this subclinical state of dehydration, signs and symptoms are mild and subtle at best.