The signs and symptoms of low electrolytes which let you know if your electrolytes are low include weakness and muscle spasms.
Other signs and symptoms of low electrolytes are extreme fatigue, changes in your heart rate, prolonged bout of diarrhea or vomiting, signs of dehydration and unexplained confusion, tingling, numbness and muscle cramps.
You check if your electrolyte levels are low through an electrolyte panel test which is a blood test that measures the levels of seven electrolytes in your blood.
Certain conditions, including dehydration, cardiovascular disease and kidney disease, can cause electrolyte levels to become too high or low.
Being dehydrated and not getting enough water and hydrating fluids can cause your electrolyte levels to drop and even being sick such as with the flu or cold or stomach flu can also cause low electrolyte levels.
Pedialyte and sports drinks and water can help you raise your electrolyte levels.
Electrolytes are minerals in your blood and other body fluids that carry an electric charge.
Electrolytes affect how your body functions in many ways, including the amount of water in your body and the acidity of your blood (pH) Your nerve and muscle function.
The human bodys cells use potassium alongside sodium.
When a sodium ion enters a cell, a potassium ion leaves, and vice versa.
Potassium is also especially critical to your heart function.
Too much or too little can cause serious heart problems.
When your body is low on electrolytes it can negatively affect vital body systems.
Electrolytes must be evenly balanced for your body to function properly.
Severe electrolyte imbalances can cause serious problems such as coma, seizures, and cardiac arrest.
These substances are located in the extracellular and intracellular fluid.
Within the extracellular fluid, the major cation is sodium and the major anion is chloride.
The major cation in the intracellular fluid is potassium.
Good drinks and foods for replacing lost electrolytes and increasing electrolyte levels in the body are coconut water, milk, water, watermelon, cantaloupe, fruits and fruit juices, smoothies, electrolyte infused water, electrolyte tablets, sports drinks and Pedialyte.