What is the Function of Electrolytes in Our Body?

Medical Video: Electrolytes - What Are Electrolytes - Functions Of Electrolytes
So what is electrolyte?
Sodium (Na⁺)
Chloride (Cl^–)
Potassium (K⁺)
Magnesium (Mg⁺)
Calcium (Ca⁺)
Hydrogen Phosphate (HPO₄^2-)
Bicarbonate (HCO₃^–)
What if someone has an electrolyte that is not balanced?
Signs if you have unbalanced electrolytes in the body
When to see a doctor immediately?
How to keep the electrolytes in the body balanced

Medical Video: Electrolytes - What Are Electrolytes - Functions Of Electrolytes

Water and electrolytes are components that are very important for your body. When you are new, 75% -80% of your body consists of water. Over time, as adults 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.

Fluids in your body contain components such as cells, protein, sugar, and electrolytes. Well, this electrolyte comes from the food and drinks you consume.

So what is electrolyte?

Electrolytes are components that have positive and negative charges when they dissolve with fluids in your body. This makes the component have electricity and move according to the charge and signal in your body. These contents are very important for various things that keep you alive, for example your brain activity, nerves, muscles, and making new tissues in your body. Each electrolyte has its own function in your body. Here are examples of important electrolytes in your body and their functions:

Sodium (Na⁺)

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

Chloride (Cl^–)

Acting is important for digestion
Helps balance the acidity and basicity of your body, or in other words ensure 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 with bone health
Important for muscle contraction

Magnesium (Mg⁺)

Play 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⁺)

Keys to healthy bones and teeth
Important for nerve impulse movement 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 an electrolyte that is not balanced?

There is liquid in your body inside the cell, but some are outside the cell. The level of fluid in both places must be consistent. On average, from a total of about 60% of the fluid in your body, 40% of it is in the cell, and the other 20% is outside the cell. Now, this electrolyte helps your body maintain the amount of fluid, to control the balance of the amount of fluid both outside and inside the cell in your body.

Actually, changing electrolyte levels are a natural thing to happen. However, sometimes this causes the electrolyte in your body to be out of balance. This is the problem. Unbalanced electrolytes can occur because your body contains too much electrolyte or even lacks the electrolytes needed.

The causes of unbalanced electrolytes in your body include:

Kidney illness
Throws up in a long time
Dehydration
Overheating
Heart failure
Cancer treatment
Bulimia
Diarrhea
Medicines taken, such as diuretics and antibiotics
Liver cirrhosis
Diabetes
Some types of cancer

Signs if you have unbalanced electrolytes in the body

Signs if your electrolyte is out of balance depending on which electrolyte is the least balanced. If your magnesium, sodium, potassium, or calcium are out of balance, here are the signs:

Unstable heartbeat
Weak
Bone abnormalities
Blood pressure changes
Confused
Nervous system abnormalities
Fatigue
Like numbness
Muscle cramps

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

Frequent urination
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 your doctor if the electrolyte imbalance gets worse. Keep in mind that unbalanced electrolytes can be life threatening. Therefore, contact your doctor quickly if you experience the following signs:

Feel confused or have a sudden change in behavior
Muscles feel very weak
Continuous unstable heartbeat
Pain in the chest