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hypocalcemia. Electrolyte imbalance, or water-electrolyte imbalance, is an abnormality in the concentration of electrolytes in the body. Electrolytes play a vital role in maintaining homeostasis in the body. They help to regulate heart and neurological function, fluid balance, oxygen delivery, acid–base balance and much more.
Hyponatremia is the most common type of electrolyte imbalance, and is often found in older adults. [11] [12] It occurs in about 20% of those admitted to hospital and 10% of people during or after an endurance sporting event. [3] [5] Among those in hospital, hyponatremia is associated with an increased risk of death. [5]
Metabolic acidosis is a serious electrolyte disorder characterized by an imbalance in the body's acid-base balance. Metabolic acidosis has three main root causes: increased acid production, loss of bicarbonate, and a reduced ability of the kidneys to excrete excess acids. [ 5 ]
Some people need to replenish electrolytes more than others. “Whether replacing them is warranted depends on the individual, particularly with salt-loss sweat,” Millard-Stafford says.
If the diabetes insipidus is due to kidney problems the medication causing the problem may need to be stopped or the underlying electrolyte disturbance corrected. [1] [7] Hypernatremia affects 0.3–1% of people in hospital. [2] It most often occurs in babies, those with impaired mental status, and the elderly. [2]
Most people can tolerate a 3-4% decrease in total body water without difficulty or adverse health effects. A 5-8% decrease can cause fatigue and dizziness. Loss of over 10% of total body water can cause physical and mental deterioration, accompanied by severe thirst. Death occurs at a loss of between 15 and 25% of the body water. [4]
Water intoxication, also known as water poisoning, hyperhydration, overhydration, or water toxemia, is a potentially fatal disturbance in brain functions that can result when the normal balance of electrolytes in the body is pushed outside safe limits by excessive water intake. Under normal circumstances, accidentally consuming too much water ...
Hyperchloremia is an electrolyte disturbance in which there is an elevated level of chloride ions in the blood. [ 1 ] The normal serum range for chloride is 96 to 106 mEq/L, [ 2 ] therefore chloride levels at or above 110 mEq/L usually indicate kidney dysfunction as it is a regulator of chloride concentration. [ 3 ]