Fluids have a substantial impact on your overall health, and water plays an especially critical role. Considered a chemical in terms of the composition of your body, water not only accounts for about two-thirds of your weight, but it also determines whether you can function or not. The minerals referred to as "electrolytes" help your body regulate water levels, which affects numerous biological processes.
Features of Electrolytes
Found in your blood and other fluids inside your body, electrolytes take the form of electrically charged salts, acids and bases. Blood tests can measure their levels to determine if your body has an adequate amount, too much or too little. Common types of electrolytes include the element chlorine, the salts bicarbonate and sodium, and the essential minerals calcium, magnesium and potassium. Electrolytes enter your body when you consume beverages containing them, and they can exit your body through sweat and urine. When your electrolyte levels lower, you must drink more fluids to raise them sufficiently and avoid complications.
Electrolyte Functions
Electrolytes assist your body in ensuring certain areas have enough fluids to function correctly. The three most important locations involved are your blood, cells and the area surrounding the cells. The amount of fluid in these locations varies, based on the presence of electrolytes. Large amounts of electrolytes concentrated in a certain area draws fluids to a location, while low levels of electrolytes within a certain area causes fluids to move away from the location. Additional ways electrolytes influence your body include helping to maintain normal blood acidity and to control how muscles and nerves operate.
Role of the Kidneys
Managing the level of electrolytes in your body involves more than just drinking adequate fluids. The kidneys contribute to electrolyte regulation, as well, which is one reason why they need to remain healthy. Your kidneys have the ability to remove electrolytes from your blood selectively and direct the compounds to areas of your body that need them, such as locations with an excessively low or high concentration. In addition, the kidneys participate in removing electrolytes from your body by eliminating them in liquid waste matter during urination.
Electrolyte Imbalances
An electrolyte imbalance occurs when your body has insufficient levels of the compounds. Situations that can lead to an imbalance include drug use, taking incorrect amounts of fluids intravenously, medical conditions such as kidney and liver disease, and dehydration due to drinking too little fluids. Consuming too much water can cause an electrolyte imbalance, as well. If you do not balance your fluid intake to stabilize your electrolyte levels, an imbalance can eventually require medical attention.
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