Electrolyte disorders are conditions when electrolyte levels in the body are not balanced, they can be too high or too low. Imbalance of electrolyte levels This can cause various symptoms. starting from nausea, diarrhea, until muscle cramp.
In the human body, there are several types of electrolytes, namely sodium, potassium, calcium, magnesium, phosphate, and phosphorus. These electrolytes can be obtained from food, drink, and supplements.
Electrolytes are needed by the body to keep the organs in the body functioning normally. Some body functions that are affected by electrolytes are heart rhythm, muscle contraction, and brain function.
Causes of Electrolyte Disorders
The causes of electrolyte disturbances vary, depending on the type of electrolyte in the body that is experiencing an imbalance. For example, the cause of a phosphate deficiency will be different from the cause of a magnesium deficiency.
However, electrolyte disturbances generally occur due to excessive loss of body fluids, such as from having extensive burns, excessive sweating, diarrhea, or vomiting continuously. Side effects of some drugs can also cause electrolyte disturbances.
The following are various types of electrolytes and the factors that can cause their levels in the body to be disturbed:
1. Phosphate
Phosphate functions to strengthen bones and teeth, produce energy, and form cell layers. If the level of phosphate in the body is excessive (hyperphosphatemia), it can cause muscle and bone problems, and increase the risk of heart attack and stroke.
Hyperphosphatemia can occur due to several factors, namely:
- Taking laxatives (laxatives) that contain phosphate in excess
- Having complications due to cancer treatment (tumor lysis syndrome)
- Have an underactive parathyroid gland
- Have low calcium levels
- Suffering from chronic kidney failure
- Experiencing shortness of breath
- Have a muscle injury
Meanwhile, phosphate deficiency or hypophosphatemia can occur due to the following factors:
- Suffering from severe malnutrition due to anorexia or starvation
- Excessive alcohol consumption
- Experiencing severe burns
- Have diabetes complications (diabetic ketoacidosis)
- Suffering from Fanconi syndrome, which is a disorder in the kidneys that causes the absorption and release of certain substances in the body to become abnormal
- Suffer from vitamin D deficiency
- Have an overactive parathyroid gland
- Suffering from chronic diarrhea
Hypophosphatemia can also occur due to the consumption of certain drugs, such as iron, niacin (vitamin B3), antacids, diuretics, corticosteroids, bisphosphonates, acyclovir, paracetamol, or asthma medication.
2. Chloride
Chloride is a type of electrolyte that functions to maintain the pH balance in the blood and transmits nerve impulses. Chloride levels are regulated by the kidneys, so if there is a chloride imbalance, it may be due to damage to the kidneys.
The following are some of the factors that can cause excess chloride (hyperchloremia) in the body:
- Have a disturbance in blood pH (metabolic acidosis or respiratory alkalosis)
- Taking acetazolamide in the long term
Meanwhile, chloride deficiency (hypochloremia) can occur due to several factors, such as:
- Suffering from diarrhea or prolonged vomiting
- Have a chronic lung disease, such as emphysema
- Suffering from heart failure
- Have a disturbance in blood pH (metabolic alkalosis)
- Taking laxatives, diuretics, or corticosteroids
3. Sodium/Sodium
Sodium functions to maintain the balance of body fluids and regulates nerve function and muscle contraction. The following are some of the factors that can cause a person to experience excess sodium (hypernatremia):
- Suffering from severe dehydration
- Experiencing loss of body fluids due to fever
- Suffering from diarrhea
- Experiencing vomiting
- Suffering from chronic respiratory disease, such as bronchitis
- Taking corticosteroid drugs
- Too much sweating due to excessive exercise
Meanwhile, a person can experience sodium/sodium deficiency (hyponatremia) due to the following factors:
- Suffering from malnutrition
- Have thyroid, adrenal, or hypothalamic disorders
- Suffering from kidney failure
- Suffering from heart failure
- Having alcohol addiction
- Taking diuretics or anticonvulsants
4. Calcium
Calcium is a mineral that is essential for the function of organs, nerves, muscles, and body cells. Calcium is also useful for blood clotting and bone health. However, excess levels of calcium in the blood (hypercalcemia) can cause various symptoms, including headaches, weakness, nausea, vomiting, and bone pain.
A person is at risk for hypercalcemia if they have the following conditions:
- Suffering from kidney disease
- Suffering from thyroid disorders, eg hyperparathyroidism
- Taking certain drugs, such as lithium, theophylline, or diuretic
- Have a lung disease, such as tuberculosis (TB) or sarcoidosis
- Suffering from certain types of cancer, such as lung cancer and breast cancer
- Excessive intake of antacids or vitamin D supplements
Lack of calcium levels in the blood (hypokalemia) is also not good for health, because it can increase the risk of developing osteoporosis. This condition can occur due to several factors, namely:
- Suffering from pancreatitis
- Suffering from kidney failure
- Suffering from prostate cancer
- Suffer from vitamin D deficiency
- Taking heparin or anticonvulsants
5. Potassium/Potassium
Potassium plays an important role in regulating heart function, as well as maintaining nerve and muscle function. Potassium levels in the body can exceed normal (hyperkalemia) if a person has factors such as the following:
- Suffering from kidney failure
- Suffering from severe dehydration
- Taking diuretics or blood pressure lowering drugs
- Suffering from complications of diabetes, such as diabetic ketoacidosis
Meanwhile, several factors that can increase a person's risk of experiencing a lack of potassium levels (hypokalemia) are:
- Suffering from eating disorders
- Experiencing dehydration
- Suffering from vomiting and diarrhea
- Taking laxatives, diuretics, or insulin
6. Magnesium
Magnesium is an important mineral that functions to regulate nerve function, blood pressure, and blood sugar levels. Magnesium also plays a role in maintaining heart health, producing energy for the body, and maintaining bone health.
Excess levels of magnesium (hypermagnesemia) can cause muscle weakness, slow reflexes, easy drowsiness, dizziness, headache, nausea, vomiting, slow or irregular heartbeat, slower breathing than usual, and even fainting.
A person is at risk of developing hypermagnesemia if they have the following factors:
- Experiencing an overdose of magnesium supplements
- Suffering from kidney failure
- Suffering from certain diseases, such as hypothyroidism and Addison's disease
- Extensive burns
- Taking certain drugs, such as lithium, antacids, or laxatives (laxatives)
Not only excess, magnesium deficiency (hypomagnesemia) can also cause various health problems, including tremors, muscle twitching, insomnia, tingling, numbness, palpitations (tachycardia), confusion, and seizures.
The following are some factors that can increase a person's risk of developing hypomagnesemia:
- Suffering from heart failure
- Suffering from malnutrition
- Taking diuretics, insulin, or chemotherapy drugs
- Suffering from chronic diarrhea
- Having alcohol addiction
- Sweating too much, for example due to excessive exercise
Risk Factors for Electrolyte Disorders
Electrolyte disorders can happen to anyone, but people with the following conditions are more prone to experience them:
- Suffering from eating disorders, such as anorexia or bulimia
- Having disorders of the thyroid, parathyroid, or adrenal glands
- Taking certain medications, such as corticosteroids, insulin, laxatives, or diuretics
- Suffering from heart failure
- Having alcohol addiction
- Extensive burns
- Suffering from kidney disease
- Having a broken bone
- Suffering from cirrhosis
Symptoms of Electrolyte Disorders
Mild electrolyte disturbances are generally asymptomatic. Symptoms usually begin to appear when the condition gets worse. The following are symptoms that can arise due to an imbalance in electrolyte levels in the body:
- Headache
- Weak
- Nauseous
- Throw up
- Diarrhea
- Constipation
- Fast heart rate
- Muscle cramp
- Frequent urination
- Seizures
- tingling
- Numb
- stomach cramps
- Confusion
- Easy to get angry
When to go to the doctor
Immediately see a doctor if you feel symptoms of electrolyte disturbances. The reason is, if not treated immediately, electrolyte disturbances can cause serious health problems that can even lead to death.
Diagnosis of Electrolyte Disorders
To diagnose electrolyte disorders, the doctor will ask questions about the symptoms experienced, medical history, and medications that the patient is currently taking. After that, the doctor will perform a thorough physical examination, especially an examination to determine the patient's body reflexes.
In order to make the diagnosis more accurate, the doctor will also perform several supporting examinations, such as:
- Blood tests, to measure electrolyte levels and check kidney function
- Urine tests, to measure levels of certain (limited) electrolytes, such as calcium, chloride, potassium, and sodium
- Electrocardiogram (ECG), to measure heart rhythm in cases of severe electrolyte disturbances
Other investigations may also be performed, depending on the patient's health condition. This examination aims to find out the underlying cause of electrolyte disturbances.
Electrolyte Disorder Treatment
Treatment in patients with electrolyte disturbances depends on the type of electrolyte in the body experiencing the imbalance and the underlying cause. However, in essence, the goal of treatment is to restore the balance of electrolyte levels in the body.
Some treatments that can be done to restore the balance of electrolyte levels in the body are:
- Giving intravenous fluids containing sodium chloride, to restore body fluids and electrolyte levels that have decreased due to diarrhea or vomiting
- Giving drugs through a vein (injection), to increase levels of electrolytes in the blood, such as calcium or potassium
- Administration of drugs or supplements (drinking drugs), to treat chronic electrolyte disturbances
If the patient's condition does not improve with the above treatment, some electrolyte disturbance conditions require special measures, such as hemodialysis (dialysis) to treat excess potassium in the blood.
Complications of Electrolyte Disorders
Electrolyte disturbances can lead to some serious complications if not treated immediately. Some of these complications are:
- High fever
- Brain swelling or cerebral edema
- Seizures
- Coma
Prevention of Electrolyte Disorders
Electrolyte disturbances are not always preventable. However, you can reduce your risk of electrolyte disturbances by:
- Consuming electrolyte drinks or ORS when experiencing diarrhea or vomiting
- Keep the body hydrated by drinking enough water every day