How does electrolyte imbalance cause muscle cramps

Overview Electrolytes are important minerals, including sodium, calcium, magnesium, and potassium. They perform important functions such as: Regulating your blood chemistry and the amount of water and in your body. Controlling muscles. Electrolytes are stored in very small amounts in the body and have a tiny electrical charge.

An electrolyte disturbance can be caused by: Severe fluid loss dehydration Excessive sweating without replacing fluids Certain health conditions, such as kidney problems, diabetes, malnutrition, hormone disorders, and heart disease It might also occur as a result of treatment for another condition, such as cancer.

Without proper treatment, an electrolyte imbalance may become life-threatening. Some lifestyle factors that can increase your chance of having an electrolyte imbalance include: Heavy exercise Diuretics water pills use Chronic excessive alcohol intake. Causes An electrolyte disturbance may result when your body loses too much fluid.

Other causes of an electrolyte imbalance include: Eating an unhealthy diet or having certain stomach disorders that prevent your body from absorbing nutrients. Having kidney disease.

Your kidneys regulate the amount of fluid in your body. Having hormone imbalances. Being treated for other conditions, such as chemotherapy for cancer, antibiotics used to fight infections, or corticosteroids used to reduce inflammation.

Electrolyte Imbalance can cause a variety of symptoms. There are many causes for an electrolyte imbalance.

Causes for an electrolyte imbalance may include:. Certain medications may cause an electrolyte imbalance such as:. An electrolyte imbalance is usually diagnosed based upon information obtained through:.

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Spanish About Chemocare. Electrolyte Imbalance. What Are Electrolytes? Normal Adult Values Calcium: 4. First, consider adding essential electrolytes, i. Sodium is one the primary electrolytes lost through sweat and is a nutritional concern if your intake is low, if you sweat heavily during exercise, or if you exercise for long periods of time.

Besides sodium, other important electrolytes are magnesium, potassium, and chloride. Magnesium, for instance, is an essential mineral involved in muscle function that helps muscles to contract and relax. A few years ago, researchers in the United Kingdom found that mg of supplemental magnesium reduced nighttime or nocturnal leg cramps in individuals who suffered chronic leg cramps.

Like magnesium, potassium is an electrolyte found in your muscles. In fact, when your. Chloride is an electrolyte that helps your body regulate the level of fluids in your body.

Chloride is an important electrolyte to remember, since dehydration can be a contributing factor to muscle cramps. A second preventative measure, especially if you sweat in hot weather, exercise for long periods of time, or work in hot conditions, is to maintain adequate fluid intake. Dehydration can be life threatening, but did you know that mild dehydration reduces your blood volume, which, in turn, can reduce the supply of oxygen to your muscles?