Some people have an electrolyte imbalance due to a health condition, such as kidney or heart disease. In this case, a person may be able to correct the imbalance at home over a period of days or weeks.
Electrolytes (sodium, potassium, magnesium, chloride and calcium) need to be in balance in order to maintain healthy blood, heart rhythm, muscle function and other important functions. Drinking too much water, can cause the electrolyte levels in the body to get out of whack and cause sodium levels plummet.
Common symptoms of electrolyte imbalance include irregular heartbeat, confusion, fatigue, lightheadedness, blood pressure changes, muscle weakness or twitching, numbness and seizures. In general, a person with an electrolyte imbalance does not feel very well or want to be involved in much activity.
What Can Cause an Electrolyte Imbalance? An electrolyte imbalance can be caused by: Losing fluids as a result of persistent vomiting or diarrhea, sweating or fever. Not drinking or eating enough.
Hyponatremia is the most common form of electrolyte disorder in the emergency room. The symptoms are unspecific and include nausea, dizziness and often falls.
Staying hydrated is so important on a daily basis, but even more so when it's hot and kids are so active! I've written a post about hydration here before because it's just so important. Anyway, moving on, Hydralyte have released a whole bunch of Electrolyte products for rehydration that you can use everyday.
Consuming electrolyte drinks daily can be harmful if you don't require electrolyte replenishment from physical activity, illness, or some other imbalance.
Some imbalances will correct without treatment. To treat dehydration, your provider may recommend rehydrating with electrolyte drinks or an oral rehydration salt (ORS) solution. Your provider can tell you the correct amount of sugar, salt and water to make this solution at home.
Electrolyte imbalances are caused by different conditions and medications that intervene with the body's natural fluid balance. Hyponatremia is considered the most common electrolyte imbalance. It can be caused by the decrease of the circulating blood volume, as seen in congestive heart failure and hepatic cirrhosis.
When your body becomes low on electrolytes, it can impair your body's functions, such as blood clotting, muscle contractions, acid balance, and fluid regulation. Your heart is a muscle, so that means electrolytes help regulate your heartbeat.
Magnesium is one of the body's primary sources of electrolytes, and this means that a mix of magnesium citrate powder and water can create a truly refreshing drink. You can also obtain natural electrolytes from a variety of fruits and vegetables such as broccoli, kale, avocados, coconut, lemons, and bananas.
Electrolyte Imbalance
If you have really high or low levels of electrolytes like sodium or potassium, it can cause anxiety or panic-like symptoms. These include shortness of breath, confusion, and rapid heartbeat. You might also be irritable, lightheaded, fatigued, or have headaches or nausea.
Experts conclude that dizziness and confusion are typically the two most common signs and/or symptoms of an electrolyte imbalance.
Gatorade is an electrolyte-rich drink that helps replace electrolytes that are lost in the body during exercise. Electrolytes can be lost through sweat and urine, and are used in daily bodily functions such as regulation of the nervous system.
Ok, so how much salt do I need then? According to Dr. Batmanghelidj, an expert on hydration, as a general rule you need at least 1.5g of sea-salt for every quart of water (950ml) that you drink.
“One or two electrolyte drinks should be enough for most people to reach a safe and healthy balance after you deplete resources,” advises Zumpano. “If you're still thirsty after that, try to drink water.”