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hyperphosphatemia

Fluid and Electrolyte Balance

What are electrolytes?

Electrolytes are minerals that have an electric charge when they are dissolved in water or body fluids, including blood. The electric charge can be positive or negative. You have electrolytes in your blood, urine (pee), tissues, and other body fluids.

Electrolytes are important because they help:

What are the different types of electrolytes in your body?

The main electrolytes in your body include:

You get these electrolytes from the foods you eat and the fluids you drink.

What is an electrolyte imbalance?

An electrolyte imbalance means that the level of one or more electrolytes in your body is too low or too high. It can happen when the amount of water in your body changes. The amount of water that you take in should equal the amount you lose. If something upsets this balance, you may have too little water (dehydration) or too much water (overhydration). Some of the more common reasons why you might have an imbalance of the water in your body include:

What are the different types of electrolyte imbalances?

The names of the different types of electrolyte imbalances are:

ElectrolyteToo lowToo highBicarbonateAcidosisAlkalosisCalciumHypocalcemiaHypercalcemiaChlorideHypochloremiaHyperchloremiaMagnesiumHypomagnesemiaHypermagnesemiaPhosphateHypophosphatemiaHyperphosphatemiaPotassiumHypokalemiaHyperkalemiaSodiumHyponatremiaHypernatremiaHow are electrolyte imbalances diagnosed?

A test called an electrolyte panel can check the levels of your body's main electrolytes. A related test, the anion gap blood test, checks whether your electrolytes are out of balance or if your blood is too acidic or not acidic enough.

What are the treatments for electrolyte imbalances?

The treatment for an electrolyte imbalance depends on which electrolytes are out of balance, if there is too little or too many, and what is causing the imbalance. In minor cases, you may just need to make some changes to your diet. In other cases, you may need other treatments. For example:

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