What is Electrolyte Imbalance: Symptoms, Types, and Treatment

Electrolytes are specific minerals that help control critical physiological functions in the body. When the levels of these minerals are too high or too low, it can result in an electrolyte imbalance that can negatively affect the body. Severe electrolyte imbalance could lead to more serious issues like seizures, cardiac arrest and coma.

What Is Electrolyte Imbalance?

Electrolytes are mainly present in your blood, urine and other bodily fluids, usually ingested with your food, supplements and drinks. Some examples of electrolytes include the following:

• Chloride
• Calcium
• Magnesium
• Sodium
• Potassium
• Phosphate

A significant loss in body fluids can cause an imbalance in your electrolytes. This can be caused due to prolonged vomiting, sweating or diarrhoea, which are common symptoms of many illnesses, for example,

• Fluid losses that are related to burns
• Taking certain medications like diuretics
• Diseases like chronic or acute kidney disease, lung disorders, heart problems, etc.

Types of Electrolyte Imbalance

While the prefixes hyper- and hypo- indicate elevated or depleted levels of an electrolyte, the actual condition will depend on the kind of electrolyte in question.

Hypercalcemia and Hypocalcemia

Calcium is one of the most vital minerals in your body that is usually required for stabilising blood pressure or controlling skeletal muscle contractions. Calcium helps build strong teeth and bones.

Hypercalcemia is a condition in which there may be too much calcium in the blood. It can be a result of the following:

• Kidney disease
• Hyperparathyroidism
• Lung diseases like sarcoidosis or tuberculosis
• Some types of cancer
• Excess use of calcium and vitamin D supplements or antacids

Hypocalcemia occurs when there is a lack of adequate calcium in the blood. This can be caused due to the following:

• Kidney failure
• Hypoparathyroidism
• Vitamin D deficiency
• Pancreatitis
• Prostate cancer
• Malabsorption
• Chemotherapy drugs, osteoporosis drugs, specific diuretics and anti-convulsant drugs

Hyperchloremia and Hypochloremia

Hyperchloremia refers to the presence of too much chloride in the body, which can be a result of the following:

• Severe dehydration
• Kidney failure
• Metabolic acidosis

Hypochloremia is when there is too little chloride present in the body. It is caused due to the following:

• Diuretics
• Chronic respiratory acidosis
• Metabolic alkalosis
• An extreme fluid loss like vomiting or diarrhoea

Hypermagnesemia and Hypomagnesemia

Magnesium is another vital mineral for the body as it helps with regulating muscle contraction, nerve function and heart rhythm.

Hypermagnesemia is when the body has excess magnesium and primarily affects chronic kidney disease patients. Other risk factors for hypermagnesemia are Addison's disease and hypothyroidism, as they increase magnesium absorption in the blood.

Hypomagnesemia refers to when there is too little magnesium in the blood and can be due to the following:

• Alcohol use disorder
• Malabsorption
• Malnutrition
• Certain medications
• Diarrhoea

Hyperphosphatemia and Hypophosphatemia

Phosphate interacts closely with calcium to carry out various functions in the body. The kidneys, bones and intestines are usually responsible for balancing the body's phosphate levels.

Hyperphosphatemia is elevated levels of phosphate in the blood, which can be a result of the following:

• Chronic kidney disease
• Severe breathing difficulties
• Severe muscle injury
• Underactive parathyroid glands
• Excess use of laxatives that contain phosphate
• Tumour lysis syndrome is a complicated treatment for cancer

Hypophosphatemia is when the body has too little magnesium. It can be caused due to the following:

• Alcohol use disorder
• Severe burns
• Refeeding syndrome
• Certain medications like antacids
• Overactive parathyroid glands
• Vitamin D deficiency

Hyperkalemia and Hypokalemia

Potassium plays a vital role in heart functions and can also help maintain healthy nerves and muscles.

Hyperkalemia can develop due to excessive levels of potassium in the body and may be fatal if left untreated. Hyperkalemia is often triggered by the following:

• Severe dehydration
• Kidney failure
• Severe acidosis
• Certain medications
• Adrenal insufficiency when cortisol levels are too low

Hypokalemia is when the levels of potassium in the body are too low because of the following:

• Severe diarrhoea or vomiting
• Eating disorders
• Laxatives, diuretics and corticosteroids

Hypernatremia and Hyponatremia

Sodium is one of the essential minerals that maintain fluid balance, which is critical for appropriate body functions, and it can also regulate muscle contraction and nerve function.

Hypernatremia is the presence of too much sodium in the blood that is often caused due to severe dehydration caused by inadequate water consumption and excessive bodily fluid loss caused by prolonged diarrhoea, vomiting or sweating.

Hyponatremia is the presence of too little sodium in the body. Some causes of low sodium levels include the following:

• Diarrhoea or vomiting
• Excessive use of alcohol
• Overhydration
• Adrenal or thyroid disorder
• Poor nutrition
• Liver, kidney or heart failure
• Some medications, including those for seizures or diuretics

Symptoms of Electrolyte Imbalance

The symptoms of electrolyte imbalance will differ depending on the component that is out of balance. Mild electrolyte imbalance may not cause symptoms and can usually be undetected until your next blood test. However, as the imbalance becomes more severe, the following symptoms may appear:

• Agitation
• Dry mouth and thirst
• Muscle spasms or weakness
• Numbness or tingling sensation
• Difficulty with cognition or confusion
• Restlessness
• Slow and irregular heart rate
• Constipation
• Fatigue
• Breathing difficulties
• High or low blood pressure
• Itching
• Heart palpitations
• Nausea or vomiting

Diagnosis of Electrolyte Imbalance

A simple blood test is all you need to measure the levels of different electrolytes in the body. A kidney function test is another important parameter that helps understand if your body may lack electrolytes.

Treatment for Electrolyte Imbalance

Treatment options for electrolyte imbalance include the following:

• Intravenous fluids to rehydrate the body
• Certain intravenous medications to restore electrolyte balance
• Oral supplements and medication
• Hemodialysis uses machines to remove any waste material from the blood

In Summary

Electrolyte imbalance is when there is too little or too much of a particular mineral in your body. The symptoms and treatments for this imbalance depend on the affected mineral. The best way to avoid this condition is to drink a lot of water, especially when you have been vomiting, sweating or experiencing diarrhoea for a prolonged period.

If you or anyone close to you have experienced these symptoms, getting tested as soon as possible is best. Metropolis Labs is one of the leading providers of diagnostic testing services in India and also provides home visits so you can give your blood and body fluid samples in the comfort of your home.