3 Causes of electrolyte disturbances that you need to know

Various causes cause electrolyte disturbances

Electrolytes are compounds and minerals that help the body produce energy and make muscles contract. Usually, humans get electrolytes such as sodium, chloride, potassium, and calcium from food and drink.

Well, that's why one of the causes for your electrolyte disturbances can be from the food and drinks you eat. Not only food and drink, there are several other factors that make you experience electrolyte disturbances.

1. The body loses a lot of fluids

For those of you who suffer from severe diarrhea, doctors will usually always remind you to keep the water level in the body so you don't get dehydrated. This is because during diarrhea, your body will continue to release body fluids and electrolytes, such as potassium, chloride, and calcium.

This condition ultimately causes you to experience electrolyte disorders, such as hypokalemia or hyponatremia.

Apart from diarrhea, several conditions that also cause you to lose a lot of fluids include:

Diarrhea
Gag
Excessive sweating
Dehydration
Lack of eating and drinking

2. Blood pH exceeds normal limits

Blood pH conditions that exceed normal limits are usually referred to as alkalosis. Alkalosis is a situation when the fluids in the body contain bases that exceed normal limits.

This may be caused by decreased levels of carbon dioxide in the blood, which are acidic. This condition is called respiratory alkalosis

Conversely, an increase in the level of bicarbonate in the blood which is alkaline will also change the pH of the blood. This condition is known as metabolic alkalosis.

Generally, metabolic alkalosis is associated with certain conditions, such as frequent vomiting, which results in large electrolyte losses.

3. The effect of certain drugs

Apart from losing a lot of fluids due to certain conditions, other causes of electrolyte disturbances can also come from the influence of certain drugs. Several types of drugs that make electrolyte levels in the body imbalance, including:

a. Corticosteroids

Corticosteroids affect the hormones produced by the adrenal glands, namely mineralocorticoids. This hormone acts as a regulator of electrolyte levels in the body, for example, when the body will release minerals such as sodium.

Steroid drugs are usually absorbed in the digestive tract. It is this salt that can hold the risk of making electrolytes in the body imbalance.

In addition, this type of drug can also increase sodium levels so that you have the potential to develop hypernatremia. Hypernatremia disorders caused by corticosteroids can cause muscle spasms and spasms.

b. Family planning pills

Apart from corticosteroids, the type of drug that causes electrolyte disturbances is birth control pills.

The use of birth control pills can actually increase potassium levels so that you have the potential to experience hyperkalemia. This increase in potassium levels can disrupt the sodium balance in your body.

If these drugs are consumed too much and often, they can cause various side effects, such as diarrhea and weakness.

Therefore, when taking birth control pills, pay attention to the rules of use so that the balance of electrolyte ions in the body is not disturbed.

c. Antibiotics & antifungal

According to a 2009 study in the journal Nature Reviews Nephrology In fact, certain types of antibiotics fall into the category of drugs that cause electrolyte disorders.

The use of antibiotics, such as amphotericin B and trimethoprim, can reduce potassium levels.

Usually, amphotericin B is used as a medicine to treat fungal infections. While trimehoprim can be used for urinary tract infections.

Basically, the cause of electrolyte disturbances can be caused by the condition of the body that has lost a lot of fluids, disorders of acid levels in the body, or the use of certain drugs.

Consult a doctor to find out the cause of the electrolyte disorders you are experiencing. That way you can get the right treatment.