Electrolytes are electrically charged minerals in your body that promote the activities of your blood cells. In order for your body to maintain an even balance of health, your body relies on an electrolyte balance. Sodium, potassium, calcium, chlorine, phosphate and magnesium play important parts in maintaining a healthy balance of nutrition within your body. A lack of electrolytes occurs when the intake of nutrition has waned from the normal. Factors such as malnutrition, medication, vomiting, diarrhea and dehydration contribute to the lack of electrolytes in your system.
Malnutrition
If you do not eat properly, you will lack nutrition your body needs to function. Eating normally means taking in enough vitamins and minerals to sustain life and energy levels. If you work out in the gym, you need more calories and nutrition. You will also need to drink more water as you lose water when you exercise through sweat. An electrolyte imbalance may occur if you lack sodium, potassium, calcium and magnesium in your system. Eating a well-balanced diet with vegetables, fruits and lean meats will prevent malnutrition from occurring and will keep your electrolytes in check.
Dehydration
Dehydration occurs when you do not drink enough water. Water helps your body to flush out toxins and maintain normal functions of your body's organs. Your digestive organs work better when they have enough fluid to produce digestive materials. Your heart needs enough fluid to pump blood. Having enough fluid means you have enough pressure in your body. Low fluid levels in your body will account for a lower blood pressure and lack of electrolytes.
Diarrhea
When your body produces diarrhea you lose potassium in your stools. Potassium, a needed electrolyte in your body, helps to keep your heart beating correctly. If your potassium level becomes too low, your heart will stop because it lacks the electrical charge it receives continually from potassium.
Vomiting
Vomiting causes a lack of sodium, which interferes with your brain's ability to be coherent. You will become confused and sedated without enough sodium in your system. Your potassium level may increase without sodium to balance its level. Medication side effects may cause vomiting in some circumstances. Talk to your doctor and seek medical help if you suffer side effects such as vomiting from medication.
Chronic Illness
Chronic illnesses cause long-term problems with nutrition, including nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. People who suffer from illnesses such as AIDS suffer from a lack of electrolytes. People who suffer from esophageal cancer have difficulty swallowing food, which causes malnutrition. Many chronic illnesses, which effect nutrition, cause a lack of electrolytes to occur.
