Water Electrolyte Balance

When chemical compounds dissociate in solution these break up with separate particles called ions. They are also known as electrolytes, because these changed particles can conduct electric current.

Examples of electrolytes: (do ionized)

1. Salts
2. Acids
3. Bases

Examples of non-electrolytes: (do not ionized)

1. Glucose
2. Alcohol
3. Urea
4. Protein
5. Other substance involved in metabolism

Each ion may either be positive or negative.

Positive ions are Cation which includes:

1. Sodium (Na+)
2. Potassium (K+)
3. Calcium (Ca++)
4. Magnesium (Mg++)

Negative ions are Anion which includes:

1. Chloride (Cl-)
2. Bicarbonate (HCO3-)
3. Biphosphate (HPO4--)
4. Sulfate (SO4--)

Ions of organic acids such as lactate, pyruvate, acetoacetate and many protien derivatives.

Important aspects of electrolytes in water balance:

1. Measurement of electrolytes in body fluids
2. Electrolyte composition of body fluids
3. Electrolyte balance within fluid compartment.

Terms:

• Electrolytes concentrations are measured in terms of milliequivalent (mEq.)
• Concentration refers to the number of particles per unit volume
• Extracellular Fluid (ECF) is the fluid in the plasma, lymph, spinal fluid and secretions
• Intracellular Fluid (ICF) is the fluid contained within the cell

Electrolyte composition of the body fluids:

Major electrolyte found in the plasma and interstitial fluid:

1. Sodium (Na)
2. Chloride (Cl)

Major electrolytes in the intracellular fluid:

1. Potassium (K)
2. Phosphate (P)

Sodium and potassium can control the amount of the water that can be retained in any given compartment. An alteration in the maintenance of osmotic equilibrium may result in dehydration or even edema.

Electrolytes play an important role in regulating fluid and ph balance. For therapeutic purposes, foods that will produce acid ash, basic ash, or neutral ash are necessary to produce acid or basic urine as needed by the body. When mineral elements are released from foods after metabolism, these elements function to maintain acid-base balance, and the organic acids are oxidized to form CO2 and water.

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