What are the functions of electrolytes in our body? & bull; hello healthy

Water and electrolytes are very important components for your body. When you were just born, 75% -80% of your body was water. Over time, as you mature, the amount of water in your body decreases to 60% for men and 55% for women. The amount of water in your body will continue to decrease as you get older.

The fluids in your body contain components such as cells, protein, sugar and electrolytes. Well, these electrolytes come from the food and drinks you consume.

So, what are electrolytes?

Electrolytes are components that have a positive and negative charge when dissolved with fluids in your body. This allows these components to have electricity and move according to the charges and signals in your body. These charges are essential for many things that keep you alive, for example your brain activity, nerves, muscles, and the creation of new tissue in your body. Each electrolyte has its own function in your body. The following are examples of important electrolytes in your body and their functions:

Sodium (Na⁺)

Helps control fluids in your body that affect blood pressure
Helps muscle and nerve function
Helps balance electrolytes in your body

Chloride (Cl^–)

Plays an important role for digestion
Helps to balance the acidity and alkalinity of your body, or in other words ensure that your body's pH remains healthy
Helps balance electrolytes in your body

Potassium (K⁺)

Helps regulate heart function and blood pressure
Helps balance electrolytes in your body
Serves to send nerve impulses
Helps bone health
Important for muscle contraction

Magnesium (Mg⁺)

Plays an important role in the production of DNA and RNA
Helps nerve and muscle function
Helps regulate heart rate
Helps regulate blood sugar levels
Improve the immune system

Calcium (Ca⁺)

The key to healthy bones and teeth
It is important for the movement of nerve impulses and muscle movement
Causes blood clots

Hydrogen Phosphate (HPO₄^2-)

Strengthens bones and teeth
Helps cells produce the energy needed for tissue development and repair

Bicarbonate (HCO₃^–)

Helps your body maintain a healthy pH
Helps heart function

What if someone has imbalanced electrolytes?

Some of the fluids in your body are inside the cells, but some are outside the cells. The fluid levels in both places must be consistent. On average, about 60% of the total fluid in your body, 40% of this is inside cells, and another 20% is outside cells. Well, these electrolytes function to help your body maintain this amount of fluid, to control the balance of the amount of fluid both outside and inside the cells in your body.

In fact, changing electrolyte levels is a natural thing to happen. However, sometimes this causes an imbalance in the electrolytes in your body. This is what is problematic. Electrolyte imbalance can occur because your body contains too many electrolytes or lacks the electrolytes it needs.

The causes of electrolyte imbalance in your body include:

Kidney illness
Vomiting for a long time
Dehydration
It's hot
Heart failure
Cancer treatment
Bulimia
Diarrhea
Medicines that are consumed, such as diuretics and antibiotics
Cirrhosis of the liver
Diabetes
Several types of cancer

This is a sign when you have an imbalance of electrolytes in the body

The signs that your electrolytes are imbalanced depend on which type of electrolyte is the most unbalanced. If your magnesium, sodium, potassium, or calcium is out of balance, here are the signs:

An unstable heartbeat
Weak
Bone abnormalities
Blood pressure changes
Confused
Nervous system disorders
Fatigue
Like numbness
Muscle spasms

If you have excess calcium, aka hypercalcemia (which often occurs in patients with breast cancer, lung cancer, and myeloma), you will experience the following signs:

Urinating frequently
An unstable heartbeat
Sluggish
Fatigue
Moody
Limp
Stomach ache
Throws up
Very weak muscles
Feel very thirsty
Dry mouth and throat
Loss of appetite
Confused

When to see a doctor immediately?

Quickly contact a doctor if the electrolyte imbalance gets worse. Please note that electrolyte imbalance can be life threatening. Therefore, contact your doctor immediately if you experience the following signs:

Feeling confused or having a sudden change in behavior
Muscles feel very weak
Continuously unstable heartbeat
Pain in the chest

How to keep electrolytes in the body in balance

If your urine is darker in color, then you need to drink more water.
When you exercise for more than 30 minutes, you should drink a drink that contains electrolytes and carbohydrates.
Drink enough water every day. It is recommended that a person drinks 8 glasses of water per day.
Quickly go to the doctor if you lose or even gain 2% of your body weight after running.
Eat fresh fruits and vegetables, because these two foods are the best sources to replace sodium and potassium in your body.