Electrolyte disorder

From WikiMD.org
Jump to navigation Jump to search

Electrolyte disorder

Electrolyte disorder (pronunciation: /ɪˌlɛktrəʊˈlaɪt dɪsˈɔːdər/) is a medical condition characterized by an imbalance in the levels of electrolytes in the body. Electrolytes are minerals that help maintain several vital functions of the body, including heart rhythm, muscle contraction, and brain function.

Etymology

The term "electrolyte disorder" is derived from the Greek words "electron" meaning amber (from which the word electricity is derived) and "lytos" meaning soluble. The term "disorder" comes from the Old French "desordre" meaning lack of order or sequence.

Types of Electrolyte Disorders

There are several types of electrolyte disorders, including:

  • Hyponatremia: This is a condition characterized by low sodium levels in the blood.
  • Hypernatremia: This is a condition characterized by high sodium levels in the blood.
  • Hypokalemia: This is a condition characterized by low potassium levels in the blood.
  • Hyperkalemia: This is a condition characterized by high potassium levels in the blood.

Causes

Electrolyte disorders can be caused by a variety of factors, including kidney disease, heart failure, diabetes, certain medications, and severe dehydration.

Symptoms

Symptoms of electrolyte disorders can vary depending on the specific disorder and the severity of the imbalance. They may include fatigue, weakness, nausea, vomiting, irregular heartbeat, and seizures.

Treatment

Treatment for electrolyte disorders typically involves addressing the underlying cause of the imbalance and may include medication, dietary changes, and in severe cases, hospitalization.

See Also

External links

Esculaap.svg

This WikiMD dictionary article is a stub. You can help make it a full article.


Languages: - East Asian 中文, 日本, 한국어, South Asian हिन्दी, Urdu, বাংলা, తెలుగు, தமிழ், ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian Indonesian, Vietnamese, Thai, မြန်မာဘာသာ, European español, Deutsch, français, русский, português do Brasil, Italian, polski