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Electrolyte imbalances
Definitions and effects of different electrolyte imbalances
17
Medical
Graduate
04/22/2016

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Term
Hypernatremia
Definition
Increased concentration of sodium in the blood usually resulting from dehydration due to vomiting or diarrhea, excessive sweating from exercise or fever, or from drinking fluid that has too high concentrations of salt
Term
Hyponatremia
Definition
Decreased concentration of sodium in the blood from either water intoxication or SIADH (associated with illnesses like pneumonia, brain diseases, cancer, thyroid problems, and some medications)
Term
Symptoms of sodium imbalance
Definition
Lethargy, confusion, weakness, swelling, seizures, and coma
Term
Central pontinemyelosis
Definition
Condition associated with rapid correction of sodium concentration whereby brain cells are damaged due to abnormal flow in or out of the cells
Term
Hyperkalemia
Definition
Increased concentration of potassium in the blood most often associated with kidney failure
Term
Hypokalemia
Definition
Decreased concentration of potassium in the blood most often associated with DKA, low magnesium or other conditions causing excessive loss of K+ (vomiting, diarrhea, sweating, and medications like diuretics or laxatives)
Term
Symptoms of hyperkalemia
Definition
Nonspecific symptoms such as muscle weakness, tiredness, tingling sensations, or nausea
Arrhythmias
Bradycardia
Term
Symptoms of hypokalemia
Definition
Weakness, tiredness, or cramping in arm or leg muscles, sometimes severe enough to cause inability to move arms or legs due to weakness (much like a paralysis)
Tingling or numbness
Nausea or vomiting
Abdominal cramping, bloating
Constipation
Palpitations (feeling your heart beat irregularly)
Passing large amounts of urine or feeling thirsty most of the time
Fainting due to low blood pressure
Abnormal psychological behavior: depression, psychosis, delirium, confusion, or hallucinations.
Term
Hypercalcemia
Definition
Increased concentration of calcium in the blood due to parathyroid tumors, other tumors including breast cancer, excess amounts of Vitamin A or D, Paget's disease, and kidney failure.
Term
Hypocalcemia
Definition
Decreased concentration of calcium in the blood associated with eating disorders or lack of parathyroid hormone
Term
Symptoms of hypercalcemia
Definition
Moans = depression
Stones = kidney stones
Groans = abdominal pain
Term
Symptoms of hypocalcemia
Definition
Weakness, muscle spasms, and heart rhythm disturbance
Term
Roles of magnesium in the body
Definition
Relaxation of the smooth muscles that surround the bronchial tubes
Skeletal muscle contraction
Excitation of neurons in the brain
Cofactor in many enzymatic activities
Term
Hypomagnesemia
Definition
Decreased concentration of magnesium in the blood due to dietary deficiencies, inability of the intestine to absorb the chemical, or due to increased excretion. Common causes of low magnesium include alcoholism and its associated malnutrition, chronic diarrhea, and medications like diuretics
Term
Hypermagnesemia
Definition
Increased concentration of magnesium in the blood due to kidney function problems, diabetic ketoacidosis, adrenal insufficiency, and hyperparathyroidism. Hypermagnesemia is often associated with hypocalcemia (low calcium) and hyperkalemia (high potassium).
Term
Symptoms of Hypermagnesemia
Definition
Heart rhythm disturbances, muscle weakness, nausea and vomiting, and breathing difficulties.
Term
Symptoms of Hypomagnesemia
Definition
Heart with rhythm abnormalities, muscles with weakness and cramps, confusion, hallucinations, and seizures
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