If you’re like most people, you’ve probably heard of electrolytes, but you might not have a complete understanding of what these important minerals do for your overall health and wellness. That’s understandable, as electrolytes work quietly behind the scenes to support a wide range of bodily functions. Most people don’t spend a lot of time thinking about electrolytes until an imbalance develops.
At the Renal Clinic of Houston, a team of highly skilled renal health practitioners deliver top-quality diagnostic and treatment services for the full range of kidney health needs. If you live in the greater Houston, Texas, area and find yourself in need of renal health services, you’ll find no better source than these compassionate and experienced providers.
Electrolytes are essential minerals that create a small electrical charge when dissolved in fluids like urine or blood. Examples include sodium, calcium, potassium, and magnesium. Your body creates electrolytes, and you also get them from food, beverages, and supplements.
While you might not hear much about electrolytes, these minerals play vital roles in a wide range of bodily functions. Some of the processes that rely on electrolytes include:
When your electrolytes are in balance, these functions occur normally. You won’t notice anything unusual unless and until an imbalance arises.
An imbalance can develop when you have too much or too little of one or more electrolytes in your system. The volume of water within your body is the most common cause of electrolyte imbalance. But there are many different conditions that can affect how much water you have.
Here are some of the conditions that commonly lead to electrolyte imbalance:
It’s possible to develop an electrolyte imbalance gradually. This can make it more difficult to pinpoint the source of symptoms, which can in turn delay treatment.
Awareness about the signs of an electrolyte imbalance is the best way to know when it’s time to take action. Here are some of the changes you may notice if you have too few or too many electrolytes in your system:
As you can see, these symptoms are common among many different health conditions. That’s why it is so important to pay close attention to the messages your body sends, and to take action if you feel that something is just not right.
Your treatment path depends on which electrolytes are out of balance, as well as your overall health. The first step is blood testing to determine your current electrolyte levels. Your provider might also order a metabolic panel to test for other substances in your blood.
If you are only mildly dehydrated, you might be able to correct the imbalance by drinking certain electrolyte-enhanced beverages. You can even mix up your own by adding specific amounts of salt and sugar to water.
For more advanced imbalances, IV hydration might be the best course of action. Your practitioner uses a small needle to place a length of medical tubing into a vein. The other end of the tubing connects to a bag that contains a rehydration solution, which enters your bloodstream one drip at a time.
Medications can be administered through an IV, or taken by mouth. These options supplement certain minerals within your system to create the best possible balance. You might only need a short course of supplementation, but if a chronic health condition is causing imbalance, you may need to supplement for a longer period of time.
If your body is not properly removing waste from your system, a treatment called hemodialysis may be necessary. Your practitioner surgically creates an access point into your blood vessels to enable a machine to filter and purify your blood.
When you’re ready to learn more about your electrolyte balance and treatment options, booking a visit at the Renal Clinic of Houston is fast and easy. You can always reach out by phone during normal business hours, and online booking is available around the clock.
The team is standing by to assist with a diagnostic evaluation and a discussion of treatment options. You’ll also learn steps you can take to reduce the risk of future electrolyte imbalance.
