Signs Of A Fluid & Electrolyte Imbalance

Electrolytes, present in the body's fluids, blood and urine, are electrically-charged ions utilized by cells to control nerve and muscle function and fluid balance. When levels of these ions --- most often sodium, potassium and calcium --- become too high or too low, the fluid balance in the body shifts, resulting in potentially serious health consequences. Recognizing the symptoms and identifying the cause of the imbalance is important to ensure you receive the right medical treatment.

Vomiting and Diarrhea

Sudden and violent vomiting and diarrhea cause your body to rapidly lose fluid in a short time, notes MayoClinic.com. As a result, your body becomes dehydrated, losing water as well as sodium, potassium and calcium, electrolytes necessary for proper functioning of the body. This resulting fluid and electrolyte imbalance can pose serious health problems, including rapid brain swelling, coma and death, especially among young children and older adults.

Frequent Urination

Certain medications, such as diuretics and blood pressure stabilizers, may cause frequent urination leading to a fluid and electrolyte imbalance. Diuretics help the kidneys remove water and sodium from the body, increasing urination and the risk of dehydration when adequate fluids are not consumed, according to the "Merck Manual Home Health Handbook."

Excessive Sweating

Excessive and constant sweating is known to cause a fluid and electrolyte imbalance in your body when water is lost from sweating faster than it can be replaced. This often occurs following extensive exercise, or during hot weather when the temperature boosts the amount of sweat and fluid lost from the body. Some pain medications, antidepressants, anti-inflammatory and diabetes medications can also trigger excessive sweating.

Swelling

Swelling in the feet, ankles, legs, and hands may be linked to a fluid and electrolyte imbalance. Often a sign of an underlying health condition such as kidney disease, cirrhosis or heart disease, fluid accumulates in the extremities to cause swelling. Kidney disease leads to a decrease in the function of your kidneys, which are responsible for removing excess fluid and waste from the body. Consequently, the fluid accumulates in the body, causing puffiness around the eyes and swelling in the hands and feet, the National Kidney Foundation says. Among heart disease sufferers, blood flow from the heart slows, causing fluid to accumulate in the body's tissues, particularly in the abdomen, ankles, legs and feet, the American Heart Association notes. Similarly, cirrhosis, scarring of the liver from liver damage, also causes fluids to accumulate, leading to swelling.

Considerations

The risk of a fluid and electrolyte imbalance increases with age, according to the "Merck Home Health Handbook." As you age, your body contains less fluid. About 45 percent of body weight in older people is fluid compared with 60 percent in younger people, the "Handbook" notes. Less fluid coupled with declining kidney function and an inability to quickly sense thirst with age, leads to a greater likelihood of a fluid and electrolyte imbalance.