Pathophysiology

Pathophysiology Study Guide

©2018 of 131 electrolytes that regulate the blood chemistry of the body, actions of the muscles, and other body processes are sodium, potassium, calcium, chlorine, magnesium, and phosphate. These minerals are entered into the body through food and fluids. When the level of these minerals or electrolytes becomes either too low or too high, it leads to an electrolyte imbalance. Details about the imbalance of various electrolytes are explained below. Potassium Potassium is present inside cells of the body and is responsible for generating the electrical impulses in the body that lead to the functioning of the brain and muscles. An imbalance of potassium electrolytes may be caused when the level of potassium is either too low or too high. When the level increases significantly, this imbalance is termed as hyperkalemia and is fatal to life. Hyperkalemia causes abnormal electrical conduction in the heart, which leads to arrhythmia and has the potential to cause death. The main cause of this imbalance is kidney failure in which the kidneys are not able to excrete excess potassium in the urine. It is possible to reduce the enhanced level of potassium through medicines and in extreme cases, dialysis may be needed. When the level of potassium becomes too little, it causes an imbalance known as hypokalemia. High amounts of potassium are lost from the body through various mechanisms including vomit, diarrhea, diuretics, ketoacidosis, and excessive sweating. Another possible cause of excessive potassium loss is diabetic ketoacidosis wherein the electrolyte is lost significantly by way of urine. Sodium Sodium is found mainly in the plasma cells of blood and is a vital electrolyte, as it regulates the electric signals in the body. There are two kinds of imbalances related to sodium. The first one is hypernatremia, which is characterized by too much sodium in the body and is caused by dehydration. The etiology of hypernatremia is fluid loss through vomit, diarrhea, excessive sweating during exercise or fever, and high sodium or salt intake in oral diet and fluids. The second imbalance related to sodium is due to too little sodium in the body and is termed hyponatremia. The major cause of this imbalance is water intoxication, which means that drinking too much water and other fluids dilutes the level of sodium in the blood. The effect of this imbalance is the overwhelming of the compensation mechanism of the kidney. Another cause of hyponatremia is the syndrome of inappropriate anti-diuretic hormone secretion (SIADH). Reasons of the SIADH are pneumonia, disorders of the brain, cancer, medications, and thyroid problems. Symptoms and signs of sodium imbalance include confusion, lethargy, weakness, swelling, seizures, and coma. Calcium Calcium is present in the proteins of the blood and is regulated by calcitonin and parathyroid hormone. The role of calcitonin is to stimulate the growth of bones and reduce the level of calcium in the blood, while parathyroid hormone controls the growth of bones and increases calcium levels in the bloodstream. The main source of calcium in the body is nutrition and diet intake by the individual. Achieve Page 77

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