Understanding Fluid and Electrolyte Disorders: Causes, Symptoms, and Solutions

What is a fluid and electrolyte disorder?

A fluid and electrolyte disorder is an imbalance in the ratio of electrolytes to water in the body . Myocardial and neurological functions, acid-base balance, cellular fluid and electrolyte function, and oxygen delivery are all highly regulated by electrolyte levels. A water and mineral balance problem can therefore lead to a variety of symptoms, including cardiac and neurological complications.

What are electrolytes and what is their role in the body?

Role of electrolytes in the body

Electrolytes have several vital functions in your body, including:

->the transmission of nerve messages,

->maintaining the balance between the internal and external fluids of cells,

->acid-base balance,

->maintaining a stable blood pH,

->contribution to the proper functioning of muscles,

->participation in the proper functioning of the kidneys and the excretion of waste.

The main electrolytes and their functions

The main electrolytes are sodium, potassium, calcium, magnesium, chloride, bicarbonate, and phosphate.

What are the symptoms of a fluid and electrolyte disorder?

General symptoms

Certain signs are present regardless of the type of electrolyte imbalance involved. These symptoms may include headaches, general fatigue, nausea, and vomiting. You may also experience muscle cramps, spasms, dizziness or lightheadedness, and difficulty concentrating.

Specific symptoms depending on the type of imbalance

What are the causes of fluid and electrolyte disorders?

Several factors can cause these disorders.

First, excessive fluid loss (especially water) may be the main cause. These excessive losses are usually due to diarrhea, vomiting, excessive sweating, hemorrhages, or extensive burns.

Then, we find an insufficient intake of minerals through a diet that is not varied and deficient, possibly also due to prolonged fasting or poor water habits. This is the case, in particular, during intense exercise , where the human body loses water through perspiration (99%) but also minerals that are present in sweat such as sodium for example.

Certain illnesses can also be the cause, such as hormonal or chronic diseases such as kidney failure, diabetes, taking diuretics or other drug treatments.

How to treat a fluid and electrolyte disorder?

Treatment depends on the severity and type of imbalance identified. In all cases, we recommend consulting a healthcare professional who will be able to best guide you.

However, hydration will play an important role. While water alone can sometimes be enough, in most cases it is better to choose a solution containing electrolytes .

Reviewing your diet is essential , that is to say, you must regularly consume fruits, vegetables, dried fruits, dairy products or legumes, which will help to restore a sufficient intake. These are foods naturally rich in potassium (banana, avocado), calcium (dairy products), magnesium (oilseeds, legumes), sodium (salt, mineralized water).

If symptoms persist, hospital treatment may be necessary to avoid neurological or cardiac complications.

How to prevent a hydro-electrolyte disorder?

Eat a balanced diet

Include mineral-rich foods daily. Also, be sure to vary your intake according to your energy expenditure and weather conditions.

Anticipate physical effort

Before, during, and after intense activity, hydrate regularly with solutions containing electrolytes, especially if you sweat a lot. After physical exertion, it is recommended to consume 1.5 times your weight loss! So if you lose 2 kg, we recommend consuming approximately 2 x 1.5, or 3 liters, of recovery drink, electrolyte, and water after exercise. Always do not exceed 1 liter of water per hour to avoid overloading your digestive system!

Monitor your health

Elderly people, children and patients on chronic treatment should have regular medical monitoring including electrolyte assessment if necessary.

What are the average rates to avoid suffering from hydro-electrolytic disorders?

Reference values ​​for electrolytes:

Importance of maintaining these levels within optimal ranges to avoid disorders

These blood values ​​indicate the ideal internal balance for proper cellular function. The RDAs, for their part, represent the necessary intakes through food to cover physiological needs and compensate for daily losses. A diet too poor in minerals or excessive losses (sweat, diarrhea, etc.) that are not compensated can cause potentially serious imbalances. This is why it is essential to maintain these levels in a good balance .

How to correct a hydro-electrolyte disorder?

Correcting the latter is based on an approach adapted to the nature of the imbalance (deficiency or excess), its severity, the identified cause and the clinical condition of the patient. Correction can be done at several levels, namely urgent medical intervention, an adjustment of dietary intake, and above all, functional and targeted hydration .

Rapid rebalancing

In acute or severe situations (disorientation, seizures, arrhythmias), urgent correction is required. This is generally done in a medical setting, via infusions containing specific electrolytes. The choice of infusion depends on the results of the blood test, the type of disorder, and the speed of progression.

The goal is to avoid any neurological or cardiac complications, while correcting the imbalance gradually to avoid a rebound effect. In some cases, intensive care may be necessary, particularly when an imbalance affects several electrolytes simultaneously.

Regular consumption of foods rich in electrolytes

Apart from acute cases, these imbalances can often be corrected by an appropriate diet, rich in minerals:

Potassium : present in bananas, avocados, potatoes, legumes, dried fruits.

Sodium : provided by salt (in reasonable quantities), mineral waters, certain cheeses.

Calcium : found in dairy products, sardines with bones, almonds.

Magnesium: abundant in oilseeds (nuts, almonds), whole grains, dark chocolate, green vegetables.

These foods help gradually compensate for losses, especially if they are linked to excessive sweating, a deficient diet, or a very active lifestyle. Supplementation through a dietary supplement or specific product can also be considered in the event of a proven deficiency, under medical supervision.

Targeted hydration

Hydration is an important part of correcting fluid and electrolyte imbalances. Be careful, however, as drinking water alone may not be enough and may even worsen certain imbalances (such as hyponatremia) if electrolyte losses are not compensated.

It is therefore crucial to prioritize optimized hydration , based on solutions containing sodium, potassium, magnesium, and glucose . Glucose will promote the active absorption of sodium at the intestinal level via the SGLT1 co-transporter, which will improve overall hydration. This principle is based on the oral rehydration solutions (ORS) recommended by the WHO for infants with diarrhea and vomiting.

These drinks are particularly suitable:

• After prolonged physical activity, especially in hot weather;

• In case of fever, diarrhea, vomiting or excessive sweating;

• During post-operative convalescence or after an episode of dehydration.

How to identify an electrolyte imbalance?

Signs of electrolyte imbalance can vary depending on the electrolyte involved, but some symptoms are common to all. You may experience fatigue, headaches, nausea, vomiting, and mental confusion .

These symptoms can appear gradually or suddenly and can be of varying intensity depending on the severity of the imbalance.

To confirm or rule out electrolyte imbalance, a blood test called a “blood ionogram” measures the concentrations of the main electrolytes in the blood.

If you have any doubts, we recommend that you consult a doctor . Only he or she will be able to make a reliable diagnosis and determine the appropriate course of action.

In conclusion, a fluid and electrolyte imbalance can occur when electrolyte concentrations, such as sodium and potassium, are abnormal. The causes and symptoms can vary, ranging from headaches and vomiting to muscle and heart complications. To prevent this disorder, a varied diet is essential, and medical advice should be sought if in doubt.

Bibliography

Larson, NJ, Rogers, FB, Feeken, JL, Blondeau, B., & Dries, DJ (2024). Electrolyte Disorders: Causes, Diagnosis, and Initial Care-Part 1. Air medical journal , 43 (2), 80–83. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.amj.2024.01.001 

Larson, NJ, Rogers, FB, Feeken, JL, Blondeau, B., & Dries, DJ (2024). Electrolyte Disorders: Causes, Diagnosis, and Initial Care-Part 2. Air medical journal , 43 (3), 193–197. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.amj.2024.03.016 

Larson, NJ, Rogers, FB, Feeken, JL, Blondeau, B., & Dries, DJ (2024). Electrolyte Disorders: Causes, Diagnosis, and Initial Care-Part 3. Air medical journal , 43 (4), 270–275. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.amj.2024.05.007 

Rondon, H., & Badireddy, M. (2023). Hyponatremia. In StatPearls. Stat Pearls Publishing. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK470386/