Role of Water and Electrolyte Balance in Maintaining Homeostasis in The Body

Role of Water and Electrolyte Balance in Maintaining Homeostasis in The Body

Sources and Outputs of Water and Electrolytes

Electrolytes are found in the body fluids, urine, and blood. Additionally, they are taken with meals, beverages, and supplements. The body produces electrolytes, such as bicarbonate, naturally (Shrimanker & Bhattarai, 2019). The primary food sources of electrolytes include nuts and seeds, fruits such as avocados, bananas, and green leafy vegetables. Table salt is also a significant source of sodium and chloride. The kidneys remove extra electrolytes from the body and filter them into the urine. Moreover, sweating is another output of electrolytes (Shrimanker & Bhattarai, 2019). Some of the water in the system comes from the foods consumed. A portion of the water is produced during the metabolism process. Additionally, liquid diets and drinks, including soups, tea, milk, coffee, drinking water, soda, and juices, are water sources (Paz, 2019). The water output sources include the kidneys through urine, the skin through sweating, the lungs through respiration, and the digestive system through stool (Paz, 2019).

Factors Contributing To Water and Electrolyte Imbalances

Electrolytes and water are factors the body needs for vital functions like neuron and muscle functioning, maintaining the balance of body fluids and other processes. The changing fluid levels in the body result in a continuous fluctuation of electrolytes and water. For instance, fluids and some electrolytes can be low when sweating due to physical activity, hot temperatures, or severe diseases such as chronic kidney disease and cancers (Bennet et al., 2021). Other causes of electrolyte and water imbalance causes include vomiting and diarrhoea because they cause excessive loss of fluids that can cause dehydration. Mineral deficiencies or surpluses in the body can lead to electrolyte imbalance. For instance, hypercalcemia and hyperkalemia impair the general balance and functionality of the muscles, nervous system, and cardiovascular system (Paz, 2019). Moreover, medications such as chemotherapy medications, laxatives, and diuretics cause fluid and electrolyte imbalances.

           References

Bennet, D., Khorsandian, Y., Pelusi, J., Mirabella, A., Pirrotte, P., & Zenhausern, F. (2021). Molecular and physical technologies for monitoring fluid and electrolyte imbalance: A focus on cancer population. Clinical and Translational Medicine, 11(6), e461. https://doi.org/10.1002/ctm2.461

Paz, J. C. (2019). CHAPTER Fluid and Electrolyte. Acute Care Handbook for Physical Therapists E-Book, 379.

Shrimanker, I., & Bhattarai, S. (2019). Electrolytes.

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Discuss the role of water and electrolyte balance in maintaining homeostasis in the body.

Role of Water and Electrolyte Balance

Explain the major sources and outputs of water and electrolytes
Include the various factors that contribute to water and electrolyte imbalances.