Information From Your Health Care Provider

FLUID & ELECTROLYTE DISORDERS

Basic information

description

A fluid and electrolyte disorder is an imbalance of the fluids and electrolytes in the body. Electrolytes are minerals found in the body that maintain many important body functions. The major electrolytes are sodium, calcium, potassium, magnesium, bicarbonate, phosphate, and chloride. An imbalance problem can affect any age group.

FREQUENT SIGNS & SYMPTOMS

Dry mouth and wrinkled skin.
Increased, decreased, or no urination.
Fatigue.
Muscle weakness, cramping, or twitching.
Puffy legs, hands, face, or stomach.
Lung congestion. Problems with breathing.
Changes in mental status, depression, irritability.
Fast or slow heartbeat.
Constipation, nausea, and vomiting.
Seizures or coma.

causes

A variety of diseases and medical problems can lead to an imbalance. When the body loses fluids (such as with diarrhea) or retains fluids (such as with heart failure), the electrolyte balance is affected. Electrolytes may be too low (hypo-) or too high (hyper-).

risk increases with

Diarrhea and/or vomiting.
Heavy sweating.
Serious burns, wounds, or other injuries.
Heart or kidney disorders.
Excess fluid intake.
Use of diuretics (water pills).
Laxative abuse.
Certain types of prescription drugs.
Diabetes.
Endocrine diseases.
Bone disorders.
Milk-alkali syndrome (excess calcium intake).
Fever.
Unusual or extreme diets, or eating disorders.
Alcoholism.
Infants, young children, and people over 60. These people lose fluids very quickly when sick.

PREVENTIVE MEASURES

Avoid risk factors, where possible.
Get medical care for chronic medical problems.

expected outcomes

Treatment of electrolyte imbalance is usually effective. A long-term outlook depends on the underlying cause.

possible complications

Severe imbalances can cause serious and fatal disorders.

diagnosis & treatment

general measures

Your health care provider may do a physical exam and ask questions about your symptoms and activities. Medical tests include blood studies of electrolyte levels.
Treatment will depend on the underlying cause. This may include changes in diet or fluid intake, changes in drugs that may have caused the problem, prescribing new drugs, or other therapies as needed.
Treatment steps include correcting the fluid and electrolyte imbalance. Electrolytes that are too low will be replaced. Electrolytes that are too high will be reduced. Hospital care may be needed for some patients to provide IV (intravenous) treatment. Patients with milder symptoms may be cared for at home.
Dialysis (use of a machine to filter wastes) may be needed for some patients with kidney disorders.

medications

Electrolyte replacements may be prescribed. They may be given through a vein (IV) or taken orally.
Drugs to reduce high electrolyte levels may be prescribed.
Drugs to treat an underlying disorder may be prescribed.

activity

Limit activities and avoid exercise until treatment is complete. Resume normal activities gradually.

diet

For a severe imbalance, solid food may be withheld until fluids and electrolytes return to normal.
Diet changes may be recommended by your health care provider to help prevent problems in the future.

notify our office if

You or a family member has symptoms of a fluid and electrolyte imbalance or dehydration.
Your weight increases or decreases several pounds in one day.