An element or compound that, when melted or dissolved in water or other solvent, breaks up into ions and is able to carry an electric current. Also: Electrolytes

	Adrenal Cortex Related Topic "...Embryonically derived from gonad tissue, they make steroid hormones that control electrolytes, the management of fuels, the rate of anabolism, mineral metabolism, glucose metabolism, the general response to stress, and maintenance of nonspecific resistance..." Alzheimer's Disease Relationship to Dehydration "Due to older people's precarious homeostatic mechanisms they are much more prone than younger people to dehydration and electrolyte imbalances..." Chronic Renal Insufficiency The Condition "...Salt, potassium, phosphorus, and other electrolytes may be restricted..." Colon Cleansing As A Treatment "...Your colon absorbs water and sodium to maintain your body's fluid and electrolyte balance..." Diarrhea The Condition "...Large volume and frequent watery stools that persist during fasting and that are associated with severe fluid and electrolyte abnormalities and dehydration characterize these endocrine neoplasms..." Dysentery The Condition "...General Recommendations for Dysentery The first concern in treating dysentery is to compensate for the sometimes life-threatening loss of fluid and electrolytes due to the extreme diarrhea..." Excess Salt Consumption The Condition "...Sodium is the major electrolyte that maintains normal fluid outside the cells..." Excess Water Consumption The Condition "...It can dilute the electrolytes in your blood and cause low blood-sodium levels (hyponatremia)..." Heat Exhaustion The Condition "...One key adaptation is that your sweat becomes more dilute (there are fewer electrolytes, including sodium, dissolved in it)..." Hyponatremia (Low Blood Sodium Level) The Condition "...Sodium is an electrolyte that helps with nerve and muscle function, and also helps to maintain blood pressure..." Hypopituitarism The Condition "...As the deficiency becomes more serious or has a more rapid onset (Addison crisis), symptoms of confusion, stupor, psychosis, abnormal electrolytes (low serum sodium, elevated serum potassium), and vascular collapse (low blood pressure and shock) can occur..." Intestinal Malabsorption Syndrome The Condition "...The main purpose of the Gastrointestinal tract is the digestion and absorption of major nutrients (fat, carbohydrate, and protein), essential micronutrients (vitamins and trace minerals), water, and electrolytes..." Intestinal Obstruction The Condition "...This leads to fluid loss, dehydration and electrolyte imbalances involving sodium, potassium and chloride..." Laxative/Enema Overuse The Condition "...There can be problems with heart rhythm due to loss of fluids and electrolytes in very severe cases (where someone is taking laxatives multiple times each day), and severe weight loss can occur as well..." Leg Cramps At Night The Condition "...Low levels of certain minerals known as electrolytes - magnesium, potassium, calcium and sodium - have long been linked to leg cramps..." Lipase As A Treatment "...There is also a tendency amongst people suffering from being lipase deficient, to have a problem with electrolyte balance as well..." Mineral Related Topic "...They regulate electrolyte balance and hormonal production, and they strengthen skeletal structures..." Morning Sickness The Condition "...Hyperemesis gravidarum is a condition characterized by severe nausea, vomiting, weight loss, and sometimes electrolyte disturbance..." Muscle Cramps / Twitching Relationship to Effects of a Low Carbohydrate Diet "...Along with the toxins created by low-carbohydrate diets, one’s kidneys also flush out critical electrolytes such as calcium, magnesium and potassium, which may result in muscle cramps or worse..." Poor Small Intestine Health The Condition "...Epithelial cells in the small intestine secrete over half a gallon of a neutral fluid daily to supply a watery substance to mix with the chyme and provide a substance to aid in electrolyte and vitamin absorption through the villi..." Potassium Related Topic "A mineral that serves as an electrolyte and is involved in the balance of fluid within the body..." Seizure Disorder The Condition "...Known causes of seizures include ... Metabolic abnormalities found in diabetes mellitus, electrolyte imbalances, kidney failure, uremia, nutritional deficiencies and phenylketonuria (PKU)..." Senna As A Treatment "...Chronic abuse can lead to a variety of complications such as chronic diarrhea with nutrient loss and excessive electrolyte loss/imbalance..." Subarachnoid Hemorrhage The Condition "...A subarachnoid hemorrhage also causes shifts in the level of electrolytes, especially sodium, in the blood..." Tremors The Condition "...Such shaking or trembling could also be caused by conditions such as: Endocrine imbalances Electrolyte imbalances Hormonal imbalances Drugs can also cause tremor..."

Last updated: May 10, 2007