In physiology, an electrolyte disturbance is an abnormal change in the levels of electrolytes in the body, usually constituting a medical emergency. Severe or prolonged electrolyte disturbance can lead to cardiac problems, neuronal malfunction, organ failure, and ultimately death, such as with water intoxication. Physiology (in Greek physis = nature and logos = word) is the study of the mechanical, physical, and biochemical functions of living organisms. ... An electrolyte is a substance that dissociates into free ions when dissolved (or molten), to produce an electrically conductive medium. ... A medical emergency is an injury or illness that poses an immediate threat to a persons health or life which requires help from a doctor or hospital. ... This page is about the muscular organ, the Heart. ... Drawing by Santiago Ramón y Cajal of cells in the pigeon cerebellum. ... In biology, an organ (Latin: organum, instrument, tool) is a group of tissues that perform a specific function or group of functions. ... Death is the full cessation of vital functions in the biological life. ... A common glass, half-full with water. ...

Electrolytes play a vital role in maintaining homeostasis within the body. They help to regulate myocardial and neurological function, fluid balance, oxygen delivery, acid-base balance and much more. Electrolyte imbalances can develop by the following mechanisms: excessive ingestion or diminished elimination of an electrolyte or diminished ingestion or excessive elimination of an electrolyte. The most common cause of electrolyte disturbances is renal failure. Homeostasis is the property of an open system, especially living organisms, to regulate its internal environment to maintain a stable, constant condition, by means of multiple dynamic equilibrium adjustments, controlled by interrelated regulation mechanisms. ... Renal failure is the condition where the kidneys fail to function properly. ...

The most serious electrolyte disturbances involve abnormalities in the levels of sodium, potassium, and/or calcium. Other electrolyte imbalances are less common, and often occur in conjunction with major electrolyte changes. Chronic laxative abuse or severe diarrhea or vomiting can lead to electrolyte disturbances along with dehydration. General Name, Symbol, Number sodium, Na, 11 Chemical series alkali metals Group, Period, Block 1, 3, s Appearance silvery white Atomic mass 22. ... General Name, Symbol, Number potassium, K, 19 Chemical series alkali metals Group, Period, Block 1, 4, s Appearance silvery white Atomic mass 39. ... General Name, Symbol, Number calcium, Ca, 20 Chemical series alkaline earth metals Group, Period, Block 2, 4, s Appearance silvery white Atomic mass 40. ... A laxative is a preparation used for encouraging defecation, or the expulsion of feces. ... Diarrhea or diarrhoea (see spelling differences) is a condition in which the sufferer has frequent watery, loose bowel movements (from the ancient Greek word διαρροή = leakage; lit. ... Vomiting (or emesis) is the forceful expulsion of the contents of ones stomach through the mouth. ... Dehydration (hypohydration) is the removal of water (hydor in ancient Greek) from an object. ...

Nomenclature

There is a standard nomenclature for electrolyte disorders: Nomenclature is a system of naming and categorizing objects in a given category. ...

1. The name starts with a prefix denoting whether the electrolyte is abnormally elevated ("hyper-") or depleted ("hypo-").
2. The word stem then gives the name of the electrolyte in Latin. If no Latin equivalent exists, then the corresponding term in English is used.
3. The name ends with the suffix "-emia," meaning "in the blood." (Note, this doesn't mean that the disturbance is only in the blood; usually, electrolyte disturbance is systemic. However, since the disturbance is usually detected from blood testing, the convention has developed.)

For instance, elevated potassium in the blood is called "hyperkalemia" from the Latin term for potassium, "kalium". In linguistics, a prefix is a type of affix that precedes the morphemes to which it can attach. ... Latin is an ancient Indo-European language. ... The English language is a West Germanic language that originates in England. ... Look up affix in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ... Human blood smear: a - erythrocytes; b - neutrophil; c - eosinophil; d - lymphocyte. ... Blood tests are laboratory tests done on blood to gain an appreciation of disease states and the function of organs. ...

Table of common electrolyte disturbances

General Name, Symbol, Number sodium, Na, 11 Chemical series alkali metals Group, Period, Block 1, 3, s Appearance silvery white Atomic mass 22. ... Hypernatremia is a medical condition in which there is excess sodium, urea, and other electrolytes in the body relative to the amount of water. ... The electrolyte disturbance hyponatremia or hyponatraemia exists in humans when the sodium level in the plasma falls below 135 mmol/l. ... General Name, Symbol, Number potassium, K, 19 Chemical series alkali metals Group, Period, Block 1, 4, s Appearance silvery white Atomic mass 39. ... Hyperkalemia (hyper is high, kalium is the Latin name for potassium) is an elevated blood level (above 5. ... Hypokalemia is a potentially fatal condition in which the body fails to retain sufficient potassium to maintain health. ... General Name, Symbol, Number calcium, Ca, 20 Chemical series alkaline earth metals Group, Period, Block 2, 4, s Appearance silvery white Atomic mass 40. ... Hypercalcaemia is an elevated calcium level in the blood. ... In medicine, hypocalcaemia is the presence of less than a total calcium of 2. ... General Name, Symbol, Number magnesium, Mg, 12 Chemical series alkaline earth metals Group, Period, Block 2, 3, s Appearance silvery white Atomic mass 24. ... Hypermagnesemia is an electrolyte disturbance in which there is an abnormally elevated level of magnesium in the blood. ... Hypomagnesemia is an electrolyte disturbance in which there is an abnormally low level of magnesium in the blood. ... The chloride ion is formed when the element chlorine picks up one electron to form an anion (negatively-charged ion) Cl−. The salts of hydrochloric acid HCl contain chloride ions and are also called chlorides. ... Hyperchloremia is an electrolyte disturbance in which there is an abnormally elevated level of the chloride ion in the blood. ... Hypochloremia is an electrolyte disturbance in which there is an abnormally depleted level of the chloride ion in the blood. ... In inorganic chemistry, a phosphate is a salt of phosphoric acid. ... Hyperphosphatemia is an electrolyte disturbance in which there is an abnormally elevated level of phosphate in the blood. ... Hypophosphatemia is an electrolyte disturbance in which there is an abnormally depleted level of phosphate in the blood. ... In inorganic chemistry, a bicarbonate (IUPAC-recommended nomenclature: hydrogencarbonate) is an intermediate form in the deprotonation of carbonic acid. ... Hyperbicarbonatemia is an electrolyte disturbance in which there is an abnormally elevated level of bicarbonate in the blood. ... Hypobicarbonatemia is an electrolyte disturbance in which there is an abnormally depleted level of bicarbonate in the blood. ...

See also

• Acidosis
• Alkalosis
• Bonking
• Dehydration
• Malnutrition
• Starvation