HEALTH MATTERtS
Electrolytes : What You Need To Know
By Kepha Nyanumba
The human body is a remarkable biological machine maintained by interdependent body systems and organized biochemical reactions . The reactions take place inside the human cells using electrolytes among other requirements .
Electrolytes are the minerals in your body that have an electric charge . They are found in the blood , urine , tissues , and other body fluids . Electrolytes are important because they balance the amount of water in the body and help the nerves , muscles , the heart , and the brain to work at optimal level . Electrolytes need to be maintained in an even balance for the body to prevent electrolyte disorders .
Electrolyte disorders occurs when the levels of electrolytes in your body are either too high or too low . Severe electrolyte imbalances can cause serious problems such as coma , seizures , and cardiac arrest . Mild forms of electrolyte disorders may not cause any symptoms .
Such disorders can go undetected until they are discovered during a routine blood test .
Not all electrolyte imbalances cause the same symptoms , but many share similar symptoms . Some of the common symptoms of electrolyte disorders include : irregular heartbeat , fatigue , nausea , vomiting , abdominal cramping , muscle cramping , headaches , numbness and tingling .
Maintaining Electrolyte Balance
Your body is a complex and carefullybalanced superhighway of cells , tissues , and fluids that directs an incomprehensible array of electrical impulses . This is only possible because those cells , tissues , and fluids thrive in a homeostatic environment where they conduct electricity well enough to carry the signals to their intended destinations . The key to maintaining this
Electrolytes are the minerals in your body that have an electric charge . They are found in the blood , urine , tissues , and other body fluids . Electrolytes are important because they balance the amount of water in the body and help the nerves , muscles , the heart , and the brain to work at optimal level . Electrolytes need to be maintained in an even balance for the body to prevent electrolyte disorders . conductive superhighway lies with the electrolyte .
Electrolytes are given their name because they literally have an “ electric charge .” They separate into positively and negatively charged ions when they are dissolved in water . This is important because of how nerve reactions take place . Your nerves signal to one another by a process of chemical exchanges dependent on oppositely charged ions , both outside and inside of your cells .
An electrolyte imbalance can be caused by a number of different factors , including diseases with symptoms including vomiting , diarrhea , sweating or high fevers that can ¬ cause dehydration , a poor diet that ’ s low in essential nutrients from whole foods or trouble absorbing nutrients from food due to digestive issues .
Physical Activity and Electrolytes
Typically , a nutritious diet and wellmaintained hydration schedule will keep your electrolytes in balance . Water in our system serves as a conductor , allowing the ions that electrolytes break down into move across membranes and carry fluid , nutrients and waste . They also trigger nerve impulses which will result in muscle function and neutralize lactic acid as well as other acids in the blood .
Physical activity may shift the electrolyte balance , first by increasing the concentration of electrolytes and then over time depleting them . This makes
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