Electrolytes Brian Fletcher Waldo Bezuidenhout

What Are Electrolytes? Electrolytes are minerals in your blood and other body fluids that either carry a positive charge (cation), or a negative charge (anion) Are taken in as chemical compounds that dissociate into ions within the body Help balance pH and acid base levels in body Facilitate fluid movement into and out of cells Aids in regulation of endocrine system Vital for nerve impulse transmission and muscle contraction

Types of Electrolytes sodium (Na+) potassium (K+) chloride (Cl-) calcium (Ca2+) magnesium (Mg2+) bicarbonate (HCO3-) phosphate (PO42-) sulfate (SO42-)

Electrolyte Function

Sodium Main cation present in extracellular fluid An excess of 8000mg of sodium is held within the bodily tissues Requires 3-4 hrs of endurance activity to deplete Hyponatremia: Most common electrolyte disorder. Can result from the use of diuretics, psychoactive drugs, ecstasy and water intoxication Hypernatremia: Can result from diabetes insipidus, kidney disease, severe burns, diarrhea and excessive sodium intake

Potassium Main cation within all muscle cells Vital for regulating sodium concentrations Hypokalemia: can result from laxative abuse, Cushing’s syndrome, kidney disease, adrenal gland impairments, also by glycerrhetinic acid Hyperkalemia: can be caused by ketoacidosis, fasting, bulimia nervosa, heavy exercise, diuretics, may also result from hypernatremia

Chloride Anion that compliments sodium 70% of the body’s total negative ion content Aids in absorbing metallic minerals Essential in regulating osmotic tension (balance of bodily fluids and electrolytes) Hypochloremia: Usually results from hyponatremia and hypokalemia. Causes metabolic alkalosis which is characterized by confusion and paralysis Hyperchloremia: Caused by severe dehydration, kidney failure, brain injury, and metabolic acidosis

Calcium Most abundant in human body approximately 2.85 lbs Promotes skeletal growth Involved with blood coagulation Required for normal heart rhythm, healthy nerve transmission, and strong muscle contractions Hypocalcemia: results from thyroid disorders, kidney failure, vitamin-D deficiency, and medications such as heparin and glucogan Hypercalcemia: thyroid disorders, multiple myeloma, metastatic cancers, and Paget’s disease can all cause elevated calcium levels.

Magnesium Ratio of 1Mg to 2Ca Needed for muscle relaxation Hypomagnesia: Chronic alcoholism, malnutrition, pancreatitis, severe burns, and hyperparathyroidism Hypermagnesia: May occur in end stage renal disease, Addison’s disease, or overdose of magnesium salts

Bicarbonate A negatively charged electrolyte that assists in the regulation of blood pH levels Too much or too little Bicarbonate results in acid-base disorders such as acidosis and alkalosis

Phosphate Involved in metabolism Helps regulate acid-base balance and calcium levels Hypophosphatemia: may be caused by severe burns, alcoholism, hypothyroidism, malnutrition and Cushing’s syndrome. Hyperphosphatemia: hemodialysis, acromegaly, and intestinal obstruction

Symptoms of Electrolyte Imbalances thirst orthostatic hypotension dry mouth and mucous membranes dark, concentrated urine loss of elasticity in the skin irregular heartbeat (tachycardia) irritability fatigue lethargy heavy, labored breathing muscle twitching and/or seizures

More Symptoms… nausea, abdominal cramping, and/or vomiting headache edema (swelling) muscle weakness and/or tremor paralysis disorientation slowed breathing seizures Coma dry skin brittle nails

Even MORE symptoms… irregular heartbeat (arrhythmia) diarrhea muscle pain increased urination Tetany fatigue constipation depression confusion hypotension decreased heart and respiratory rate Even…………..DEATH!!!!

The Perfect Mix

The Mix Electrolyte replacement during exercise is necessary yet highly personalized Sweat composition differs greatly from person to person Environmental conditions play a major role in rate of electrolyte depletion The body replaces only between 35-45% of what it loses during exercise. If we replace all the fluids at once, we end up with dilutional hyponatremia or water-intoxication which leads to serious health problems and even death. If we try to replace all the electrolytes we lose in equal amounts, a number of hormonal triggers may create problems such as gastric stress, edema, muscle spasms and cramping

References: http://science.howstuffworks.com/question565.htm www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/002350.htm http://kidshealth.org/parent/system/medical/labtest5.html www.enw.org/Electrolytes.htmht www.honoluluclub.com/pulse.php?ID=31 http://fitness.gov/fastfacts.html www.brianmac.demon.co.uk/drinks.htm www.sportdrinksdirect.com/ www.traceminerals.com/research/chloride.html www.ehendrick.org/healthy/002063.htm www.runnersworld.com www.americansportsevents.com www.lifesteps.com