electrolytes imbalance

Electrolytes Imbalance
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Introduction
The body contains important nutrients such as potassium, sodium, calcium and magnesium that contribute to the general health of an individual. The percentage requirements of these ions are determined by one’s access and consumption of the respective food sources or supplements (Dr. Axe, 2016). When a person is able to maintain a balanced level of electrolyte, he or she has high immunity. However, there are instances where some people lack important food sources that result in deprivation of some of these ions in the body resulting in an imbalance. Since the ions are contained in the body fluid, the state of being unequally available is referred as electrolyte imbalance.
Nutritional Causes
The electrolyte imbalance can be caused by taking excess junk or processed foods that have different levels of potassium, magnesium and sodium ions. After consuming the junk foods, one’s fluids acquire excess ions of one type resulting in an electrolyte imbalance. For instance, when the sodium ions are in excess, the kidney is forced to expel or retain specific amounts of water in the body (Nordqvist, 2016). Prolonged intake of junk foods will result in malfunctioning of the kidney leading to poor regulation of potassium excretion into the blood stream. The failed kidney exhibit reduced excretion of sodium ions, which in return leads to disorientation, high blood pressure, and muscle twitching. The kidney failure also results in magnesium, phosphorus and calcium ion fluctuations in the body, which lowers the blood pressure and may result in cardiac arrests.

Electrolyte imbalance can be caused by adding additives such as table salt to already prepared meals. People are unable to measure the amount of sodium that should be taken daily and by adding it to the food, its concentration increases affecting the potassium and magnesium electrolyte levels. Additionally, when an individual prefers one type of fruit such as bananas that contain a high level of magnesium, she or he experiences diarrhea and vomiting since the body wants to excrete the excess ions. Some electrolyte ions such as sodium and potassium are lost with the excreted water leading to an imbalance.
Severe dehydration that is caused by excessive vomiting and exercises leads to loss of some electrolytes from the body that includes sodium and potassium. Additionally, the concentration of sodium level in the blood increases significantly as water is lost during the dehydration. Patients that are suspected to be dehydrated should be encouraged or forced to take more water to prevent the concentration of sodium ions in the blood from exceeding the limit.
The drugs used in the treatment of cancer cause an irritation to the patient’s air and food system resulting in constant vomiting (Nordqvist, 2016). The patient loses a lot of water through the process, however, sometimes the drugs lead to diarrhea, high fever, and sweating that contribute to an electrolyte imbalance in the bloodstream.
Variation in the surrounding heat affects the rate of water loss from the body; an individual that is exposed to a hot environment tends to lose more water that results in increased ion concentration in the body. During the cold seasons, the heatwaves result in the accumulation of water in the body. Therefore, an individual should be ready to drink enough water after every meal to ensure the normal fluid and electrolyte level is maintained.
Nutritional Management
The effect of electrolyte imbalance in the body causes the following symptoms: muscle aches, twitches, restlessness, frequent headaches, Insomnia, Bone disorder, blood pressure variations, fatigue, dizziness and joint pains. On the other hand, having an electrolyte balance ensures the body stays healthy through regulating the heartbeat and muscle movement (Morris, 2015). It is important to manage electrolyte imbalance to avoid health problems manifested through the identified symptoms. Some of the ways to manage electrolyte imbalance include adjusting a meal; this is achievable through identifying the initial cause of the imbalance. When an individual consumes a lot of processed food that contains excess sodium but has low levels of other ions, he or she is at risk of a dangerous electrolyte imbalance. Therefore, an electrolyte imbalance can be corrected through cutting on junk food intake; instead, cook fresh foods. The patient should focus on consuming more unpackaged, whole foods; these include fruits and vegetables that are rich in magnesium and potassium ions. Examples of vegetables and fruits important in correcting electrolyte imbalance include broccoli, starchy vegetables, avocado, and bananas.
The patient should monitor the sodium intake through observing the level consumed daily. This is specifically important since the concentration of sodium ions in the body determine the amount of water the kidney retains or excretes; thus, it can result in problems of balancing other ions. Conversely, consuming a low level of sodium ions result in loss of water, which eventually leads to severe dehydration (Dr. Axe, 2016). Thus it is important to monitor the sodium intake to be able to correct an electrolyte imbalance.
The patient should drink enough water to ensure the level of potassium and sodium in the body is averagely maintained. Water intake should not be too high to over-dilute the body cells. However, the intake level can also be determined by the environment. An individual that exercises regularly should take more water to ensure he or she does not get dehydrated. Additionally, patients should take water based on their body weight.
Patients that are deficient of potassium and magnesium ions should be advised to take respective supplements (Morris, 2015). This is attainable through eating multivitamin that is of high quality. However, taking food that is rich in magnesium and potassium can also be eaten as supplements though in regulated quantities.
Prevention
One should check the urine color regularly and use it to determine whether he or she is well hydrated; when the urine is clear, before any workout or exercise, the individual is free from the risk of electrolyte imbalance (Morris, 2015). However, it is recommended that people should drink water when they feel thirsty to avoid replenishing fluids constantly.
People should seek medical advice whenever they lose about 2% of their body weight (Dr. Axe, 2016). Also, when one puts on weight after consistently participating in exercises, he or she should seek medical advice regarding the electrolyte level in the body.
People should eat balanced diet since it has all ions that minimize the chances of having an electrolyte imbalance (Nordqvist, 2016). The balanced diet should contain sufficient supply of sodium ions since it regulates the concentration of other ions in the body fluid. In order to avoid having an excess of certain ions, it is important to minimize the amount of processed food taken. Additionally, people that are obese should practice regularly to minimize the number of fluids in their body cells that may lead to electrolyte imbalance. Obese people should also avoid junk food as a measure of regulating sodium intake.
Conclusion
Electrolyte imbalance is commonly caused by poor nutritional habits, especially where people ignore to drink enough water and eat a balanced diet. However, the people have limited knowledge on the nutritional value of having balanced electrolyte in the body. Therefore, they take a lot of junk and processed foods that contribute to excess sodium ions that are a source of electrolyte imbalance. The benefits of having balanced electrolyte include high immunity and being generally healthy; therefore, people should seek proper nutritional advice to ensure they avoid electrolyte imbalance.

References
Dr. Axe. (2016). Symptoms of Electrolyte Imbalance, Plus How to Solve It. Food is Medicine. Retrieved on 12/18/2016, from https://draxe.com/electrolyte-imbalance/
Morris S.Y. (2015). How to Prevent an Electrolyte Imbalance. Healthline. Retrieved on 12/18/2016, from http://www.healthline.com/health/food-nutrition/how-to-prevent-an-electrolyte-imbalance
Nordqvist C. (2016).What Are Electrolytes? What Causes Electrolyte Imbalance? MNT. Retrieved on 12/18/2016, from http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/153188.php