THE ROLE OF ELECTTROLYTE IN THE HUMAN SYSTEM
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Title Page — — — — — — — — — — i
Certification — — — — — — — — — – ii
Dedication — — — — — — — — — — iii
Acknowledgements — — — — — — — — iv
Table of Contents — — — — — — — — — v-vi
CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION
1.0 Background of the study — — — — — — — 1-3
CHAPTER TWO: ELECTROLYTES IN THE HUMAN SYSTEM
2.1 Electrolytes in the human system– — — — — — 4-5
2.2 Sources of Electrolytes — — — — — — — 6-7
2.3 Electrolytes formation — — — — — — — 7-8
2.4 Types of serum electrolytes — — — — — — 8
2.4.1 Sodium (Na+) — — — — — — — — 9-10
2.4.2 Potassium (K+) — — — — — — — — 10-11
2.4.3 Calcium (Ca2+) — — — — — — — — 11-12
2.4.4 Chloride (Cl–) — — — — — — — — 12-13
2.4.5 Bicarbonate (H CO–3) — — — — — — — 14
2.4.6 Magnesium — — — — — — — — — 15
2.5 Electrolytes Imbalance and its symptoms — — — — 15-17
2.6 Causes of Electrolytes Imbalance — — — — — 17-18
2.7 Diagnosing an electrolyte Imbalance — — — — — 19-20
CHAPTER THREE: ROLE OF ELECTROLYTES
3.1 Role of Electrolytes in the human system — — — — 21
3.1.1 Role of potassium in the human system — — — — 21-22
3.1.2 Role of calcium in the human system — — — — —
3.1.3 Role of chloride in the human system — — — — —
3.1.4 Role of Bicarbonate in the human system — — — —
3.1.5 Role of sodium in the human system — — — — —
3.1.6 Role of electrolytes in homeostasis. — — — — —
CHAPTER FOUR: SUMMARY AND CONCLUSION
4.1 Summary — — — — — — — — —
4.2 Conclusion — — — — — — — — —
References
CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background of the study
Electrolytes are essential for basic life functioning, such as maintaining electrical neutrality in cells, generating and conducting action potentials in the nerves and muscles. Sodium, potassium and chloride are the significant electrolytes along with magnesium, calcium, phosphate and bicarbonate, Electrolytes come from our food and fluids. These electrolytes can have an imbalance, leading to either high or low levels. High or low levels of electrolytes disrupt normal bodily functions and can lead to even life- threatening complications.
Body fluid is an aqueous solution containing electrolytes and non-electrolyte, consisting of intracellular and extracellular compartments (Mcpherson and Pincus, 2011), (Liamis, 2014). Most metabolic activities primarily occur in intracellular fluid (ICF), due to this, substantial alteration in its ionic strength may occur with adverse effects on body function. Extracellular fluid (EFC) functions efficiently as a conduct and regulates intracellular volume and its ionic strength, because of this, it requires maintenance of optimal volume. Any alteration in extracellular osmolality is followed by an identical change in intracellular osmolality, which is accompanied by a reciprocal change in cell volume because an osmotic equilibrium exists between the cells and the extracellular fluid (Saito et al., 1999).
Electrolytes are substances that becomes ions in solution and acquire the capacity to conduct electricity (Houston and Harper, 2008), (Bishop and Schoeff, 2010). Electrolytes are an essential component in numerous processes including body fluid volume and osmotic regulation (Na+, K+ and Cl–), myocardial rhythm and contractively, and neuromuscular excitability (e.g., K+) as well as acid-base balance (e.g., K+, Cl–) (Bishop and Schoeff, 2010). Sodium and chloride ions are the main electrolytes in the extracellular fluid whereas potassium, magnesium and phosphate are the main electrolytes in the intracellular fluid. Diffusion of cellular K+ out of cells and Na+ into cells is caused by trans-membrane electrical gradients. Sodium- potassium ion (Na+ – K+) pump, which is stimulated by insulin and catecholamine hormones, reverses the movement of these electrolytes in order to maintain their extracellular and intracellular homeostasis (Bhave and Neilson, 2011). Alterations of the levels of insulin and catecholamine affect the serum level electrolytes (Mcpherson and Pincus, 2011). Changes in the total amount of extracellular solute, osmotic dieresis, intake of water driven by thirst, and influences from associated conditions are the mechanisms that have been considered by which fluid and solute abnormalities occur in hyperglycemic patients (Liamis, 2014), (Tzamaloukas et al., 2008), (Anago et al., 2016).
Hypo-and hyper-secretion of electrolyte disorder is the most common in hospitalized patients. Hypokalemia and hyperkalemia are when the serum concentration of potassium level is below 3.5mmol/l and greater that 5.1mmol/l respectively. Hyponatremia is when the sodium serum concentration is less than 135mmol/l and hypernatremia is when its serum concentration is greater that 150mmol/l. shift of electrolytes from the cells to the extracellular fluid or from extracellular fluid into thecells, increased intake and reduced renal excretion are the mechanisms by which their serum elevations may occur. (Liamis et al., 2013).
