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   Healthline : Power of Intelligent Health    
      
        
      
   How to Prevent an Electrolyte Imbalance    
   Written by Susan York Morris    
   Medically Reviewed by Natalie Butler, RD, LD on May 18, 2015    
   OverviewElectrolytesImbalanceSymptomsCall 911TreatmentPreventionRead This Next    
   Part 1 of 7    
   Fluids in Your Body    
   Athletes have been swigging electrolyte replenishers since 1965. That was the   
   year a Florida Gators' coach asked doctors why his players were wilting so   
   quickly in the heat -- their answer? The players were losing too many   
   electrolytes. Their solution    
   was to invent Gatorade. So, what are electrolytes and why are they important?    
      
   Water and electricity are essential to your health. At birth your body   
   contains about 75 to 80 percent water. By the time you're an adult, the   
   percentage of water in your body drops to approximately 60 percent if you're a   
   male and 55 percent if you're a    
   female. The volume of water in your body will continue to decrease as you age.    
      
   Fluid in your body contains things such as cells, proteins, glucose, and   
   electrolytes. Electrolytes come from the food and liquids you consume. Salt,   
   potassium, calcium, and chloride are examples of electrolytes.    
      
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   Part 2 of 7    
   Electricity and Your Body    
   Charge It Up    
   On an average day, your body produces about 100 watts of electricity.    
   Electrolytes take on a positive or negative charge when they dissolve in your   
   body fluid. This enables them to conduct electricity and move electrical   
   charges or signals throughout your body. These charges are crucial to many   
   functions that keep you    
   alive, including the operation of your brain, nerves, and muscles, and the   
   creation of new tissue.    
      
   Each electrolyte plays a specific role in your body. The following are some of   
   the most important electrolytes and their primary functions:    
      
   Sodium    
      
   helps control fluids in the body, impacting blood pressure    
   necessary for muscle and nerve function    
   helps balance electrolytes    
   Chloride    
      
   helps balance electrolytes    
   balances acidity and alkalinity, which helps maintain a healthy pH    
   essential to digestion    
   Potassium    
      
   regulates your heart and blood pressure    
   helps balance electrolytes    
   aids in transmitting nerve impulses    
   contributes to bone health    
   necessary for muscle contraction    
   Magnesium    
      
   important to the production of DNA and RNA    
   contributes to nerve and muscle function    
   helps maintain heart rhythm    
   helps regulate blood glucose levels    
   enhances your immune system    
   Calcium    
      
   key component of bones and teeth    
   important to the movement of nerve impulses and muscle movement    
   contributes to blood clotting    
   Phosphate    
      
   strengthens bones and teeth    
   helps cells produce the energy needed for tissue growth and repair    
   Bicarbonate    
      
   helps your body maintain a healthy pH    
   regulates heart function    
   Part 3 of 7    
   When Electrolytes Become Unbalanced    
   Fluids are found inside and outside the cells of your body. The levels of   
   these fluids should be fairly consistent. On average, about 40 percent of   
   fluids are inside the cells and 20 percent are outside the cells. Electrolytes   
   help your body juggle these    
   values in order to maintain a healthy balance inside and outside your cells.    
      
   It's normal for electrolyte levels to fluctuate. Sometimes, though, your   
   electrolyte levels can become imbalanced. This can result in your body   
   creating too many or not enough minerals or electrolytes. A number of things   
   can cause an electrolyte    
   imbalance, including:    
      
   fluid loss from heavy exercise or physical activity    
   vomiting and diarrhea    
   medications such as diuretics, antibiotics, and chemotherapy drugs    
   alcoholism and cirrhosis of the liver    
   heart failure    
   kidney disease    
   diabetes    
   eating disorders    
   severe burns    
   some forms of cancer    
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   Part 4 of 7    
   Symptoms of Electrolyte Imbalance    
   Symptoms of electrolyte imbalance vary depending on which electrolytes are   
   most affected. Common symptoms include:    
      
   nausea    
   lethargy    
   fluid retention    
   Part 5 of 7    
   Call 911    
   Electrolyte imbalances can be life threatening. Call 911 if someone has the   
   following symptoms:    
      
   confusion or sudden change in behavior    
   severe muscle weakness    
   rapid or irregular heartbeat    
   seizures    
   chest pain    
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   Part 6 of 7    
   Treatment    
   Treatment is determined by the cause of the electrolyte imbalance, the   
   severity of the imbalance, and by the type of electrolyte that's either in   
   short supply or over abundant. Treatment options normally include either an   
   increase or decrease of fluids.    
   Mineral supplements may be given by mouth or intravenously if depleted.    
      
      
   Part 7 of 7    
   Preventing Electrolyte Imbalance    
   Death by Water Intoxication    
   In 2002, Boston Marathon runner Dr. Cynthia Lucero collapsed at the 22-mile   
   mark. She never regained consciousness. Dr. Lucero's death was due to water   
   intoxication, or hyponatremia. This electrolyte disorder occurs when you drink   
   too much fluid and your    
   body doesn't have enough sodium. An article in the New England Journal of   
   Medicine reported that 13 percent of runners tested in that marathon had   
   hyponatremia.    
   The International Marathon Medical Director's Association offers the following   
   guidelines for maintaining good hydration and electrolyte balance during   
   activity:    
      
   If your urine is clear to straw colored before a race or workout, you're well   
   hydrated.    
   You should drink a sports drink containing electrolytes and carbohydrates if   
   your sporting event or workout lasts longer than 30 minutes.    
   Drinking water with a sports drink decreases the beverage's benefits.    
   Drink when you're thirsty. Don't feel you must constantly replenish fluids.    
   Although the needs of each individual differ, a general rule of thumb is to   
   limit fluids to 4-6 ounces every 20 minutes of a race.    
   Seek immediate medical advice if you lose more than 2 percent of your body   
   weight or if you gain weight after running.    
   Serious emergencies from electrolyte imbalances are rare. But it's important   
   to your health and, if you're an athlete, your performance to maintain a   
   healthy electrolyte balance.    
      
   Article resources    
   Almond, C. S. D, Shin, A. Y., Fortescue, E. B. et al. (2005, April 14).   
   Hyponatremia among runners in the Boston Marathon. New England Journal of   
   Medicine, 352(15), 1550-1556. Retrieved from http://www.ncbi.nlm   
   nih.gov/pubmed/15829535?dopt=Abstract    
      
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