A 44-year-old member asked:
What effects can having an imbalance in electrolytes have on your body?
2 doctor answers • 3 doctors weighed in
Dr. Adrian Baudy IVanswered
Internal Medicine 14 years experience
Multiple: Depending on which electrolyte.
Potassium: too low can cause cramping, too high can cause fatal heart arrhythmia.
Sodium: too low confusion, seizure, brain herniation and death, too high lethargy, weakness, irritability, neuromuscular excitability.
Those are the main ones, can also get calcium multiple symptoms with calcium fluctuations, but not consider a true electrolyte.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.3k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
Dr. Jeremy Gitomeranswered
31 years experience
Variable: There are many different electrolytes. Some symptoms;
high potassium: weakness of the muscles, twitching of the muscles, heart rate slowing
low potassium: weakness of the muscles
high calcium: abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, constipation, increased urine output, lethargy, confusion
low calcium: twitchy muscles and cramping
low sodium: confusion, weakness and lethargy.
High phosphate: itching.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.2k viewsAnswered >2 years agoMerged
Last updated Feb 19, 2015
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