Electrolytes are electrically charged minerals essential for various bodily functions such as muscle and nerve function, heart regulation, and enzyme activation. Magnesium, potassium, calcium, phosphorus, and sodium play critical roles in maintaining health, and imbalances can lead to conditions like hypermagnesemia, hypokalemia, and hyponatremia, which necessitate proper diagnosis and treatment. Adequate dietary intake from sources like fruits, vegetables, and dairy is vital for maintaining normal electrolyte levels.

1. FUNCTIONS OF
ELECTROLYTES IN THE
BODY
.

2. Electrolytes in the Body
• Electrolytes are minerals that have an electric charge when dissolved in
water or body fluids, including blood.
• The electric charge can be positive or negative.
• They are found in blood, urine (pee), tissues, and other body fluids.

3. MAGNESIUM
• Magnesium in the body is uncharged and bound to proteins or
stored in bone.
• Bone contains about half of the body’s magnesium.
• Blood contains very little.
• The normal range for blood magnesium level is 1.7 to 2.2
mg/dL (0.85 to 1.10 mmol/L).
• The level of magnesium in the blood depends largely on how the
body obtains magnesium from foods and excretes it in urine and
stool

4. Sources.
• whole grains, nuts, seeds, legumes, and several fruits and
vegetables.

5. Functions.
• Regulates heart contractility
Blocks calcium from the heart muscle. When calcium enters the heart muscle
cells, it stimulates the muscle fibres to contract, magnesium counters this effect
helping these cells to relax.
• muscle and nerve function
Magnesium plays a role in the active transport of calcium and potassium ions
across the cell membranes, a process that is important to nerve impulse
conduction and normal heart rhythm.

6. Cont….
• Activation of the enzymes
Important nuclear enzyme activities involved in DNA replication
depend on magnesium. Mg ions are also essential in the activation
of enzymes involved with ATP production.
• Diabetes
Research has linked high magnesium diets with a lower risk of type 2
diabetes. This may be because magnesium plays an important role in
glucose control and insulin metabolism-increases insulin sensitivity

7. Hypermagnesimia.
• It usually develops only when people with kidney failure are
given magnesium (Epsom) salts or take medications that contain
magnesium (such as some antacids or laxatives).
• Hypermagnesemia is uncommon
• The diagnosis is based on blood tests indicating that the
magnesium level is high.

8. symptoms
• Muscle weakness
• Low blood pressure
• Impaired breathing
Severe hypermagnesemia can cause cardic arrest

9. Treatment.
• Calcium gluconate
Given intravenously to block the toxic effect of increased levels of
magnesium.
• Diuretics
excrete excess fluid plus excess magnesium.
However, if the kidneys are not functioning well or if
hypermagnesemia is severe, dialysis is usually needed.

10. Hypomagnesimia….causes.
• Excessive alcohol consumption(common), which reduces consumption of
food (and thus magnesium) and increases excretion of magnesium
• Protracted diarrhea (common), which increases magnesium excretion
• Drugs like diuretics, antifungal( amphotericin B), and chemotherapy
drug cisplatin –increase magnesium excretion
• Chronic use of a proton pump inhibitor eg omeprazole-reduce
Mg2+
solubility in the intestinal lumen
• Breastfeeding, which increases requirements for magnesium

11. Symptoms.
• nausea,
• vomiting,
• sleepiness,
• weakness, personality changes,
• muscle spasms,
• tremors, and loss of appetite.
If severe, hypomagnesemia can cause seizures,especially in children.
Diagnosis
• magnesium level in the blood

12. treatment
• Magnesium
given by mouth when the deficiency causes symptoms or persists.
People with alcohol use disorder are usually given magnesium.
• In severe cases magnesium is given by IM/IV
• Other electrolyte deficiencies such as hypocalcemia and hypokalemia are also
corrected
• Underlying conditions that may cause hypomagnesemia are treated.

13. potassium
• Its an intracellular body fluid .
• Normal potassium levels 3.5-5.5 mEq/l
• Absorbed in the proximal convoluted tubule (65-70%)
• Absorbed in the loop of henle i.e thick ascending loop (20-30%)
• Absorbed and secreted in the distal convoluted tubule with aid of aldosterone
which promotes secretion of potassium.

14. Functions of potassium.
• Regulation of Fluid Balance: Potassium helps maintain proper fluid balance
inside and outside cells. It works with sodium to control the amount of fluid in
cells, tissues, and blood.
• Nerve Function: Potassium is vital for transmitting electrical signals between
nerves. It helps maintain the resting potential of neurons and assists in the
generation of action potentials, which are necessary for nerve impulse
conduction.
• Muscle Function: Adequate potassium levels are essential for muscle
contraction. It helps regulate the contraction and relaxation of muscles, including
the heart muscle. Low potassium levels can lead to muscle weakness or cramps.
• Heart Health: Potassium helps maintain a normal heart rhythm. It plays a role in
regulating heartbeat and can help prevent arrhythmias and high blood pressure.

15. Cont….
• Acid-Base Balance: Potassium contributes to maintaining the body's acid-base
balance by acting as a buffer to regulate pH levels.
• Cell Function: Potassium is necessary for various cellular processes, including
protein synthesis and enzyme function. It aids in the transport of nutrients into
cells and waste products out of cells.
• Kidney Function: Potassium helps regulate the function of the kidneys by aiding
in the filtration of blood and the excretion of waste products.

16. Cont….
• Hypokalemia: Low levels of potassium in the blood.
• Symptoms : muscle weakness, cramping, fatigue, and irregular heart rhythms.
• Hyperkalemia: Abnormally high levels of potassium in the blood.(from
5.5mEq/L
• Symptoms : Muscle weakness, fatigue, and palpitations, and in severe cases, it
can lead to dangerous heart arrhythmias

17. Sources of potassium…
• Fruits:eg bananas, oranges and orange juice,avocados,kiwi and apricots.
• vegetables- potatoes,spinach ,tomatoes and tomatoe products.beets,brocolli
and swisschard.
• Legumes-beans esp.white beans kidney beans and black beans, lentils.
• Dairy products-milk and yogurt.
• Fish-salmon and tuna .
• Whole grains.quinoa and brown rice

18. Calcium
 Calcium is the most abundant mineral in the body and it is obtained from
dietary sources such as milk and milk products, green leafy vegetables, legumes
and grains.
 Parathyroid hormone from the parathyroid gland regulates the reabsorption of
calcium from the distal convoluted tubules and also increases the reabsorption
of calcium in the intestine via the effect of vitamin D metabolism.
 Calcitriol is essential for normal calcium deposition in bone and calcium
reabsorption by gastrointestinal tract.

19. Calcium
 Bone health
Calcium is essential for the development, growth and maintenance of bone. As
children grow calcium contributes to development of their bones. After the person
stops growing, calcium continues to help maintain the bones and slow down bone
density loss.
 Muscle Contraction
Calcium helps regulate muscle contraction. When a nerve stimulates a muscle, the
body releases calcium that helps the protein in muscle carry out the work of
contraction. The muscle relaxes once the calcium is pumped out.

20. Calcium
 Regulating heart function
Cardiac contractility is regulated by changes in intracellular calcium concentration.
In the cells of cardiac muscle, calcium ions plays a crucial role in coupling excitation
and contraction.
 Blood Clotting
Calcium ions activates prothrombin to form thrombin . Thrombin is an active
enzyme that converts fibrinogen to fibrin which is responsible for causing a blood
clot. Blood clotting is required in case of an injury.

21. Cont….
 Transmission in nervous system
In neurons, calcium helps propagate electrical signals down the axons. Calcium
triggers synaptic vesicle exocytosis thereby releasing the neurotransmitters
contained in the vesicle and initiating transmission.
 Enzyme function
Calcium ions have numerous critical roles in biological systems with involvement in
cell-cycle regulation, proliferation, cell migration, angiogenesis apoptosis.

22. Cont….
Normal range is: 1.0 - 1.4 mmol/L
4.3 - 5.3 mEq/L
• Hypercalcemia - too much calcium
• Hypocalcemia - not enough calcium

23. Cont….
• Symptoms of hypocalcaemia:
»Muscle Cramps
»Dry, scaly skin
»Brittle nails
»Confusion
»Depression
»Seizures
»Congestive heart failure

24. Phosphorous.
• A component of bones ,teeth ,DNA and RNA. in the form of
phospholipids ,phosphorus is also a component os cell membrane
structure and the bodys’ key energy source ,ATP.
• It is the primary anion in the ICF.
• About 85% of bodys’ phosphorus is stored in teeth and bones
• NORMAL RANGE ? what do you think?

25. Phosphorous imbalances.
• Hypophosphataemia that is low phosphorus levels in the blood
• Hyperphosphataemia that is high phosphorus levels in the blood

26. High phosphorous levels.
• High levels of phosphorus can remove calcium from bones ,which
makes bones to be too brittle
• It can also cause calcium deposits in your eyes ,lungs,heart,and blood
vessels which increases your risk of heart attack,stroke and death over
time.
• Is can also lead to ckd
• Other signs;dry skin,brittle nails,bone and joint pain,muscle
cramps,irritability….etc.

27. Causes of high phosphorous levels
• High intake of phosphate –containing laxatives or enemas
• Vitamin D intoxication;vitamin d increases phosphate absorption.
• Kidney diseases
• Consumption of too much dietary phosphorus and not enough
calcium.
• NB/increases phosphorus retention causes CKD MINERAL AND BONE
DISORDER

28. low phosphorous levels.
• SIGNS MAY INCLUDE;
1. Mild hypophosphataemia ;often asymptomatic and may have non
specific symptoms like fatigue and weakness
2. Moderate ; muscle weaklness , particularly in the proximal
muscle,bone painor fractures due to impared bone
mineralization ,irritability ,confusion due to decreased energy in the
brain cells.
3. Severe hypophosphatademia ; severe muscle weakness ,
rhabdomylisis[muscle breakdown],paresthesia , seizures ,coma ,
delirium,haemolytic anaemia , impared kidney function

29. SODIUM.
• Sodium is a chemical element that body uses to control blood pressure
and blood volume. It is mainly obtained from table salt.
• Sodium and potassium are closely interconnected but have opposite
effects in the body. Both are essential nutrients that play key roles in
maintaining physiological balance and both have been linked to the
risk of chronic diseases, especially cardiovascular disease. High salt
intake increases blood pressure, which can lead to heart disease

30. Cont…
• Sodium ion Normal range 138-146mmol/L or 140 – 145 mEq/L
• Most of the body’s sodium is located in the blood and in the fluid
around cells.
• Sodium enters the body through food and drink and leaves the body
primarily in sweat and urine.
• Too low sodium (hyponatremia)
• Too high sodium (hypernatremia)

31. functions of sodium.
Controlling blood volume
• The total amount of sodium in the body affects the amount of fluid in
blood (blood volume) and around cells. The body continually monitors
blood volume and sodium concentration.
• When either becomes too high, sensors in the heart, blood vessels,
and kidneys detect the increases and stimulate the kidneys to increase
sodium excretion, thus returning blood volume to normal.
• When blood volume or sodium concentration becomes too low, the
sensors trigger mechanisms to increase blood volume.

32. cont…
• These mechanisms include the following:
The kidneys stimulate the adrenal glands to secrete the hormone aldosterone.
Aldosterone causes the kidneys to retain sodium and to excrete potassium. When
sodium is retained, less urine is produced, eventually causing blood volume to
increase.
• The pituitary gland secretes vasopressin (antidiuretic hormone). Vasopressin causes
the kidneys to conserve water These mechanisms include the following:
The kidneys stimulate the adrenal glands to secrete the hormone aldosterone.
Aldosterone causes the kidneys to retain sodium and to excrete potassium. When
sodium is retained, less urine is produced, eventually causing blood volume to
increase.
The pituitary gland secretes vasopressin (antidiuretic hormone). Vasopressin causes
the kidneys to conserve water

33. maintaining fluid and sodium balance in order adults
• As people age, the body is less able to maintain fluid and sodium
balance for several reasons:
–Decreased thirst
–Changes in the kidneys
–Less fluid in the body
–Inability to obtain water
–Medications

34. cont….
• As a result in losing fluid or not consuming enough fluid, this can cause
a high sodium level in blood (hypernatremia) and/or dehydration. This
is more common in older people and can result in confusion
(delirium), coma, and death if severe.
• A low sodium level in blood (hyponatremia) is more common among
older adults. Hyponatremia usually results when the body retains too
much fluid, as occurs in heart failure or liver disease

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