What Happens to Your Body When You Have an Electrolyte Imbalance
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Medically reviewed by Jonathan Valdez, RDN, CDCES, CPT
Electrolytes play a crucial role in overall health and well-being as they help to control nerve and muscle function as well as maintain fluid balance in the body. An electrolyte imbalance can cause mild to severe symptoms and can even have fatal consequences in some situations.
Hot climates, endurance sports, illnesses, and dehydration can all put people at risk for electrolyte imbalances. When this occurs, water may not be enough to restore balance in the body. Instead, electrolyte powders or sports drinks may be needed to replenish the body's stores. In extreme cases, you may even need emergency medical attention.
Below, a registered dietitian explains the importance of electrolytes, the types of imbalances that can occur, and how to know if you are experiencing one.
What Are Electrolytes?
Electrolytes are minerals found naturally in your blood that carry an electric charge. They affect many functions in your body, including fluid balance, the acidity of your blood, muscle function, and nerve function. The essential electrolytes include:
Sodium: Sodium is used in the body to help control blood pressure and blood volume. It's also essential for properly firing nerves and muscle contractions.
Potassium: Potassium is essential for maintaining fluid balance and osmolality of cells. It also plays a role in blood pressure and decreases the risk of cardiovascular and kidney disease.
Calcium: Calcium is an electrolyte critical for regulating cell growth and development. It also plays a key role in cell survival, neuron development, and maintenance of cellular functions.
Magnesium: Magnesium is involved in more than 300 enzymatic reactions in the body, including providing energy and impacting metabolism. It's also required for DNA and RNA synthesis, muscular contraction, blood pressure, insulin metabolism, cardiac excitability, vasomotor tone, nerve transmission, and neuromuscular conduction.
Phosphorus: Phosphorus, along with calcium, is the main mineral component of bones and teeth. It is also one of the body's key energy sources and helps to store and transfer energy.
Related: The Best Form of Electrolytes, According to Experts
Types of Electrolyte Imbalances
Your kidneys and liver move electrolytes and fluid in and out of your cells to maintain fluid balance. However, certain conditions affect your body's ability to perform this process efficiently, resulting in too much or too little of the electrolytes you need.
Conditions that may cause electrolyte imbalances include heart failure, high blood pressure, dehydration, over-hydration, eating disorders, kidney disease, and cancer. Your deficiencies and excesses will vary depending on the cause of the imbalance and come with their own set of consequences. Here are some of the main types of electrolyte imbalances that can occur.
Hypernatremia: Hypernatremia occurs when there is too much sodium in the blood and can result from dehydration or not drinking enough water, diarrhea, vomiting, hyperglycemia (high blood glucose), or medications such as diuretics or steroids.
Hyponatremia: Too little sodium in the blood is defined as hyponatremia. This condition is caused by drinking too much water or losing too much sodium through sweat.
Hyperkalemia: Hyperkalemia occurs when there is too much potassium in your blood. You may need to restrict foods high in potassium, which can include many fruits and vegetables. Hyperkalemia is associated with kidney disease.
Hypokalemia: Hypokalemia means the potassium levels in your blood are low. Low potassium can be caused by diarrhea, vomiting, or laxative use. Other causes include hypomagnesemia, kidney disease, sustained high blood sugars, sweating, and alcoholism. It may cause heart palpitations, extreme fatigue, muscle weakness, and low blood pressure.
Hypercalcemia: High calcium in the blood, or hypercalcemia, is typically caused by hyperparathyroidism or certain types of cancers.
Hypocalcemia: Hypocalcemia occurs when calcium levels in the blood are too low due to abnormal levels of parathyroid hormone or vitamin D. It is also a common side effect of having your thyroid removed.
Hypermagnesemia: High magnesium in the blood is a rare condition caused by kidney failure or impaired kidney function.
Hypomagnesemia: Low levels of magnesium in the blood are frequently seen alongside hypocalcemia and hypokalemia. It is most commonly seen in diarrhea or kidney disease.
Hyperphosphatemia: High phosphorus levels in the blood are usually associated with advanced and chronic kidney disease.
Hypophosphatemia: Low levels of phosphorus in the blood can be associated with alcoholism, diabetic ketoacidosis, or sepsis.
Effects of Electrolyte Imbalances
Each electrolyte imbalance comes with its own set of signs and symptoms, many of which include fatigue, muscle cramps, headaches, and heart palpitations. What's more, electrolyte imbalances range from mild to severe. Here is what you might experience if you have an electrolyte imbalance.
Fatigue
Feeling fatigued or extremely tired is a common symptom of many electrolyte imbalances, regardless of whether your levels are high or low. It can be accompanied by achy or sore muscles, lack of motivation, daytime drowsiness, delayed response times, and vision problems.
Electrolyte imbalances and fatigue can also be present in and related to a number of health disorders, such as kidney disease, heart failure, high blood pressure, and liver disease. If you have any of these conditions, it is important to speak with your healthcare provider and get your electrolytes checked regularly.
Muscle Cramps
Muscle cramps or muscle spasms are painful contractions of your muscles that are involuntary and unpredictable. They frequently occur in your legs, back, neck, or abdomen. Some individuals—like athletes, pregnant people, and those over age 65—are more prone to muscle cramps than others due to higher rates of electrolyte abnormalities.
Low sodium, potassium, calcium, and magnesium levels can all contribute to muscle cramps. High blood volume can also dilute electrolytes, which can occur with heart failure or pregnancy. Drinking too much water can also be a contributing factor.
Nausea
Nausea is a common symptom that can be associated with an electrolyte imbalance. Two electrolyte imbalances commonly associated with nausea are hyponatremia (low sodium levels in the blood) and hypercalcemia (high calcium levels in the blood). Hospitalization, intense physical activity in extreme heat, and excessive sweating can all contribute to electrolyte imbalances, which in turn can lead to feelings of nausea. This happens because the sodium concentration in the blood can drop below normal levels and, in severe cases, can become dangerously low.
Dizziness
Dizziness refers to feeling lightheaded, physically unsteady, or as though the room is spinning. It can occur with low blood pressure, dehydration, blood loss, pregnancy, and heart failure. If you have any of these conditions and are experiencing dizziness, an electrolyte imbalance may be the culprit.
Headaches
Headache pain can range from throbbing to constant, sharp, or dull. The type of pain, severity, location, and frequency can also vary greatly. Electrolyte imbalances that contribute to headaches are often due to dehydration, physical activity, and other co-occurring conditions such as high blood pressure, vision problems, seizures, or infections.
Irregular Heart Rate
An irregular heart rate can be a sign of an electrolyte imbalance, which is frequently caused by changes in sodium and potassium levels. In particular, a slower-than-normal heart rate, also known as bradycardia, can be a symptom of this imbalance. If you suspect that your heart rate is being affected by an electrolyte imbalance, it is crucial to seek medical attention immediately.
What to Do if You Think You Have an Electrolyte Imbalance
If you are experiencing persistent and unexplained symptoms of an electrolyte imbalance, be sure to seek immediate medical attention. Correcting electrolytes as soon as possible is imperative to prevent any potentially severe or life-threatening complications and consequences.
Routine blood tests can detect electrolyte imbalances. Sodium, potassium, and calcium are always checked in a comprehensive metabolic panel, and magnesium can be easily added to the test. Your heart and kidney function will also be checked.
An electrocardiogram, or EKG, is also useful for checking for irregular heartbeats and rhythms caused by electrolyte imbalances. These symptoms begin to appear when the electrolyte imbalance is more severe. Meanwhile, your physical exam may include checking your heart, blood pressure, and vision, as well as a comprehensive medical history to assess for specific electrolyte imbalances.
When detected early, electrolyte imbalances are frequently simple to treat. Often intravenous (IV) fluids containing sodium chloride are used to help rehydrate the body and replenish depleted minerals.
Additional supplements can be added to the IV fluids or given orally to correct any mineral deficiencies. Depending on your individual condition and electrolyte imbalance, you may receive calcium, magnesium oxide, potassium chloride, or calcium carbonate.
How to Prevent an Electrolyte Imbalance
While certain conditions may put you at higher risk for electrolyte imbalances, there are a number of ways to prevent them and keep them from becoming too severe. One simple way is to stay adequately hydrated by drinking enough fluids.
If you have a difficult time with hydration, keep a water bottle with you at all times, buy a water bottle that is visually appealing or motivates you to drink, or add fruit or other natural, low-sugar flavorings to give your water flavor. You may also want to supplement with electrolyte powders or sports drinks, which are available in a variety of satisfying flavors along with a boost of electrolytes. By incorporating these simple changes, you can enhance your hydration experience, making it more sustainable.
Good nutrition is also important in preventing electrolyte imbalances. Sodium is a critical part of any diet, but be mindful that your salt isn't coming from highly processed foods that lack other nutrients, such as potassium, magnesium, and calcium. Foods like green leafy vegetables, avocados, potatoes, and dairy products are all rich in essential electrolytes.
If you live in a warm climate, exercise often, or excessively sweat, be sure you are hydrating and replacing electrolytes accordingly. Additionally, if you get sick and have frequent vomiting or diarrhea, this is a sign that you may need extra electrolyte repletion.
Related: What Happens To Your Body When You Use An Electrolyte Powder Daily?
Bottom Line
Electrolytes are essential to your overall health and well-being, and maintaining optimal levels can help you feel your best. To prevent electrolyte imbalances, make a concerted effort to stay well-hydrated and nourished. This means drinking plenty of water and following a well-balanced eating plan that includes plenty of fruits and vegetables.
If you suspect that your electrolytes are not where they should be, or you are experiencing muscle cramps or fatigue, talk with a healthcare provider. Often, a simple blood test can provide insight into your electrolyte levels and let you and your provider know where adjustments need to be made.
Related: 5 Things You Need to Know About Electrolyte Drinks, According to Dietitians
Read the original article on Verywell Fitness.
