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Diarrhea can cause electrolyte imbalances, kidney impairment, dehydration, and defective immune system responses. When oral drugs are administered, the efficiency of the drug is to produce a therapeutic effect and the lack of this effect may be due to the medication travelling too quickly through the digestive system, limiting the time that it ...
These electrolytes must be replaced to keep the electrolyte concentrations of the body fluids constant. Hyponatremia, or low sodium, is the most commonly seen type of electrolyte imbalance. [12] [13] Treatment of electrolyte imbalance depends on the specific electrolyte involved and whether the levels are too high or too low. [3]
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]
Dehydration can occur as a result of diarrhea, vomiting, water scarcity, physical activity, and alcohol consumption. Management of dehydration (or rehydration) seeks to reverse dehydration by replenishing the lost water and electrolytes. Water and electrolytes can be given through a number of routes, including oral, intravenous, and rectal.
Fluid balance is important to health. Profuse sweating can increase the need to replace electrolytes (salts). Water intoxication (the consumption of too much water too quickly) causes hyponatremia, which can cause death in minutes or hours. [8] Water makes up about 60% of the body weight in men and 55% of weight in women. [9]
As with most types of electrolyte imbalance, the treatment of high blood chloride levels is based on correcting the underlying cause. If the patient is dehydrated, therapy consists of establishing and maintaining adequate hydration [1] such as drinking 2-3 quarts of water daily. Also, to alleviate symptoms of dehydration like diarrhea or ...
Improper administration of an enema can cause electrolyte imbalance (with repeated enemas) or ruptures to the bowel or rectal tissues which can be unnoticed as the rectum is insensitive to pain, [66] resulting in internal bleeding. However, these occurrences are rare in healthy, sober adults. Internal bleeding or rupture may leave the ...
Therefore, significant hypernatremia should be treated carefully by a physician or other medical professional with experience in treatment of electrolyte imbalance. Specific treatments such as thiazide diuretics (e.g., chlorthalidone ) in congestive heart failure or corticosteroids in nephropathy also can be used.