When you have chronic illness, it isn’t uncommon to have problems with electrolyte imbalances. Because of that, I’ve decided to do a series that talks about what they are, how the body uses them and things that we can do to manage our electrolytes. And this is the final installment of that series! I left the most complicated entry for last…
Continue reading “Bicarbonate”Tag: electrolyte imbalances
Chloride
When you have chronic illness, it isn’t uncommon to have problems with electrolyte imbalances. Because of that, I’ve decided to do a series that talks about what they are, how the body uses them and things that we can do to manage our electrolytes. For the next seven weeks, I will make a post on Wednesday about one of the electrolytes.
Today we are talking about Chloride. While this is one of the electrolytes generally not discussed, it is highly important in our bodies. Chloride is, after sodium, the most abundant electrolyte in serum, with a key role in the regulation of body fluids, electrolyte balance, the preservation of electrical neutrality, acid-base status and it is an essential component for the assessment of many pathological conditions. The normal adult value for chloride is 97-107 mEq/L.
Continue reading “Chloride”Phosphate
When you have chronic illness, it isn’t uncommon to have problems with electrolyte imbalances. Because of that, I’ve decided to do a series that talks about what they are, how the body uses them and things that we can do to manage our electrolytes. For the next several weeks, I will make a post on Wednesday about one of the electrolytes.
Continue reading “Phosphate”Calcium
When you have chronic illness, it isn’t uncommon to have problems with electrolyte imbalances. Because of that, I’ve decided to do a series that talks about what they are, how the body uses them and things that we can do to manage our electrolytes. For the next few weeks, I will make a post on Wednesday about one of the electrolytes.
Calcium is the most abundant mineral in the human body with 99% of it being within the bones and teeth. It also helps the body maintain neuro conduction. This means that calcium is essential for normal muscle movement and for your heart to function properly. Normal lab values for calcium range from 8.5 to 10.2 mg/dL.
Continue reading “Calcium”Potassium
Potassium is a mineral that your body needs to work properly. It is a type of electrolyte. It helps your nerves to function and muscles to contract. It helps your heartbeat stay regular. It also helps move nutrients into cells and waste products out of cells. A diet rich in potassium helps to offset some of sodium’s harmful effects on blood pressure. A normal blood result for potassium is 3.5-5.
So, it’s pretty important to make sure that you are getting enough.
Continue reading “Potassium”Magnesium
Magnesium plays a role in more than 300 of the body’s enzyme reactions. It contributes significantly to the:
- health of muscles and nerves
- regulation of blood pressure
- production of energy in the body’s cells
- synthesis of DNA and RNA
So, it’s pretty important to make sure that you are getting enough.
Continue reading “Magnesium”Sodium
Sodium helps maintain normal blood pressure, supports the work of your nerves and muscles, and regulates your body’s fluid balance. A normal blood sodium level is between 135 and 145 milliequivalents per liter (mEq/L). Hypernatremia (high blood sodium levels) is when your blood level is above 145. Hyponatremia (low blood sodium levels) is when your blood level is below 135. Diagnosing either hypernatremia or hyponatremia is done with lab work. Urine testing can also be done, but is generally not considered necessary.
Continue reading “Sodium”Electrolyte Series: Introduction
Hell my zebras and spoonies! Thank you for hanging out with me today and I’m glad that you’re here.
When you have chronic illness, it isn’t uncommon to have problems with electrolyte imbalances. Because of that, I’ve decided to do a series that talks about what they are, how the body uses them and things that we can do to manage our electrolytes. For the next seven weeks, I will make a post on Wednesday about one of the electrolytes.
Continue reading “Electrolyte Series: Introduction”
Zebra Pig 