Symptoms of electrolyte disturbances that endanger health

Electrolytes are various minerals that break down in body fluids to form ions. Minerals included in electrolytes include sodium, potassium, chloride, magnesium, calcium and phosphate. Electrolytes must remain in balance for your body to function normally. When there is an imbalance, your body can experience a variety of symptoms of electrolyte disturbances.

Symptoms of electrolyte disturbances in general

Minor electrolyte disturbances probably won't cause any signs. You will only feel the symptoms when the amount of electrolytes in the body is far below or above normal, aka entering a severe level. Symptoms can also vary, but people who experience electrolyte disorders will generally experience conditions in the form of:

• irregular or accelerating heartbeat
• body lethargic and not getting better
• nausea and vomiting
• diarrhea or constipation
• seizures
• headache
• body muscles cramping or feeling weak
• numbness, a tingling sensation in the skin, or twitching
• abdominal pain
• irritable or easily confused

Symptoms of electrolyte disturbances based on the type of mineral

Electrolyte disturbances are conditions that occur when the amount of minerals becomes higher or lower than the normal range. In medical terms, numbers that are higher than normal are preceded by the prefix "hyper-", while numbers that are lower than normal are preceded by "hypo-".

Each type of mineral can be abnormal in number and has its own symptoms.

1. Sodium

Sodium is important for regulating nervous system function and muscle contraction. Too low an amount of sodium can cause symptoms such as headaches, mental changes, nausea and vomiting, fatigue, seizures, and coma. While the amount of sodium above normal can cause similar symptoms, but accompanied by thirst.

2. Potassium

Potassium is a mineral that is needed to maintain the function of the heart, nervous system and muscles. Hypokalemia and mild hyperkalemia usually cause no symptoms.

However, if the disturbance in these electrolyte components continues, you will experience symptoms in the form of an irregular heartbeat. Too low an amount of potassium can even cause more severe symptoms such as cramps and seizures.

3. Calcium

Apart from being important for healthy bones and teeth, calcium is also needed to maintain normal blood pressure and control muscle contraction. Mild hypokalemia has no symptoms, but if left untreated, it can cause discoloration of skin, nails, and hair.

Severe calcium deficiency can also lead to muscle pain and spasms. On the other hand, untreated hyperkalemia can lead to abdominal pain and disorders of the nervous, muscular, and digestive systems.

4. Chloride

Chloride is a component that maintains the balance of acids and bases in electrolytes. Symptoms of hypochloremia include dehydration, lethargy, difficulty breathing, vomiting, and diarrhea. Meanwhile, hyperchloremia has more diverse symptoms. Most of the symptoms resemble signs of electrolyte disturbances in general.

5. Magnesium

Magnesium is an electrolyte component that is useful in regulating nerve function, heart rate and muscle contraction. Magnesium deficiency is characterized by symptoms that resemble potassium and calcium deficiency. While excess magnesium usually causes respiratory problems, changes in heart rate, and a drop in blood pressure.

6. Phosphate

Body functions will not run normally without phosphate. Phosphate deficiency generally does not show symptoms, but this condition can cause breathing problems, seizures, and heart failure. Symptoms of electrolyte disturbances also do not appear when your body has excess phosphate, so it needs to be examined further.

The symptoms of electrolyte disturbances vary widely and depend on the type of mineral that is problematic. You may also experience symptoms that are not visible on the outside, such as changes in blood pressure, nervous system disorders, and bone problems.

Do not ignore all of these symptoms, because severe electrolyte disturbances that are not immediately addressed can lead to complications and even fatal consequences.