Water-electrolyte imbalances

Electrolyte imbalance, or water-electrolyte imbalance, is an abnormal concentration of electrolytes in the body. Electrolytes play a vital role in maintaining homeostasis in the body and serve in many biological processes. Anions are as well known form of electrolytes and include things like calcium, magnesium, potassium, though electrolytes can form differently charged types of ions in solution (or when melted). Cations (or positively charged ions), i.e., sodium ions, are a well-known form of electrolytes. A combination of sodium (Na) with a chloride anion. Other forms of anions are for example chloride phosphate ions) and are anions (negatively− charged). Electrolytes cross barriers in (cellular membranes) in the body, such as in muscles and nerves, in the intestine, and filtered (to be controlled) by the kidney (as well as the intestine filtering minerals, for example magnesium). Electrolytes help to regulate heart and neurological function, fluid balance, oxygen delivery, acid–base balance for example. Electrolyte imbalances can develop by consuming too little or too much electrolyte as well as excreting too little or too much electrolyte. Examples of electrolytes include calcium, chloride, magnesium, phosphate, sodium, and potassium. Electrolytes levels in the blood (used to calculate the anion gap) are Chloride (as Cl-) + bicarbonate (HCO3-, used as a buffer to control the amount of Co2 in the blood) - Sodium (Na+) + Potassium (K+). If electrolyte concentrations are abnormal in the body (such as by overloading it with electrolytes, or the body being unable to maintain homeostasis), signs and symptoms can arise, such as those related to disease, disorders or syndromes. Electrolyte disturbances are involved in many disease processes and are an important part of patient management in medicine. The causes, severity, treatment, and outcomes of these disturbances can differ greatly depending on the implicated electrolyte. The most serious electrolyte disturbances involve abnormalities in the levels of sodium, potassium or calcium. Other electrolyte imbalances are less common and often occur in conjunction with major electrolyte changes. The kidney is the most important organ in maintaining appropriate fluid and electrolyte balance, but other factors such as hormonal changes and physiological stress play a role.