Electrolytes

1. Electrolytes Brian Fletcher Waldo Bezuidenhout

2. 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

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

4. Electrolyte Function

5. 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

6. 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

7. 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

8. 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.

9. 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

10. 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

11. 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

12. 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

13. 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

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

15. The Perfect Mix

17. 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

18. 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