Fluid and Electrolyte Balance
What are electrolytes?
Electrolytes are minerals that have an electric charge when they are dissolve in water or body fluids, including blood. The electric charge can be positive or negative. You have electrolytes in your blood, urine (pee), tissues, and other body fluids.
Electrolytes are important because they help:
- Balance the amount of water in your body
- Balance your body's acid/base (pH) level
- Move nutrients into your cells
- Move wastes out of your cells
- Support your muscle and nerve function
- Keep your heart rate and rhythm steady
- Keep your blood pressure stable
- Keep your bones and teeth healthy
The main electrolytes in your body include:
- Bicarbonate, which helps maintain the body's acid and base balance (pH). It also plays an important role in moving carbon dioxide through the bloodstream.
- Calcium, which helps make and keep bones and teeth strong.
- Chloride, which also helps control the amount of fluid in the body. In addition, it helps maintain healthy blood volume and blood pressure.
- Magnesium, which helps your muscles, nerves, and heart work properly. It also helps control blood pressure and blood glucose (blood sugar).
- Phosphate, which works together with calcium to build strong bones and teeth.
- Potassium, which helps your cells, heart, and muscles work properly.
- Sodium, which helps control the amount of fluid in the body. It also helps your nerves and muscles work properly.
You get these electrolytes from the foods you eat and the fluids you drink.
What is an electrolyte imbalance?
An electrolyte imbalance means that the level of one or more electrolytes in your body is too low or too high. It can happen when the amount of water in your body changes. The amount of water that you take in should equal the amount you lose. If something upsets this balance, you may have too little water (dehydration) or too much water (over hydration). Some of the more common reasons why you might have an imbalance of the water in your body include:
- Certain medicines
- Severe vomiting and/or diarrhea
- Heavy sweating
- Heart, liver or kidney problems
- Not drinking enough fluids, especially when doing intense exercise or when the weather is very hot
- Drinking too much water
What are the different types of electrolyte imbalances?
The names of the different types of electrolyte imbalances are:
|
Electrolyte |
Too low |
Too high |
|
Bicarbonate |
Acidosis |
Alkalosis |
|
Calcium |
Hypocalcaemia |
Hypocalcaemia |
|
Chloride |
Hypochloremia |
Hyperchloremia |
|
Magnesium |
Hypomagnesaemia |
Hypomagnesaemia |
|
Phosphate |
Hypophosphatemia |
Hyperphosphatemia |
|
Potassium |
Hypokalemia |
Hyperkalemia |
|
Sodium |
Hyponatremia |
Hypernatremia |
How are electrolyte imbalances diagnosed?
A test called an electrolyte panel can check the levels of your body's main electrolytes. A related test, the anion gap blood test, checks whether your electrolytes are out of balance or if your blood is too acidic or not acidic enough.
As the business grows, POWERAMP promises not to sacrifice sustainability and remain committed to offering products that are vegan-friendly, GMO-free and contain no artificial flavours or colours. POWERAMP plans to start by developing the best rehydration drink we know how to make.
The company is currently based in Waikato Innovation Park, and all POWERAMP products are proudly designed and manufactured in New Zealand.
PowerAmp Products that contain electrolytes:
