Electrolytes maintain the nervous system along with the functioning of muscles. Chronic kidney disease interferes with electrolyte levels, making regulation of the body difficult. Understanding what electrolytes are and how to balance your levels will help you sustain your health in the long-term. 

What are Electrolytes?

Electrolytes are minerals found in your blood, sweat, and urine. They carry electric charges and are required for proper metabolic function. 

Electrolyte imbalances occur when the body is dehydrated. This usually occurs from excessive sweating, vomiting, or diarrhea. When dehydrated, you may experience fatigue, irregular heart rates, muscle weakness, and confusion. 

Several types of electrolytes are measured through blood testing. You can control your electrolyte levels by adding fruits and vegetables to your diet. 

What are the Different Types of Electrolytes? 

Bicarbonate

Bicarbonate regulates pH levels, controlling the amount of acidity in the blood and the body’s fluids. Acidity levels are affected by foods and medications ingested throughout the day. Conditions like chronic kidney diseases will disrupt the bicarbonate levels, causing the acids in the body to increase or decrease. When that happens, kidney diseases worsen. 

The body produces bicarbonate naturally, so you don’t control it through dieting. 

Chloride

Chloride balances the amount of fluids in the body. It’s essentially table salt, and its levels are disrupted through various conditions. Overactive parathyroid glands and chronic kidney disease will increase chloride levels in the body. However, the body loses chloride through sweat, urine, and vomiting.

To replenish your chloride levels, add tomatoes, lettuce, celery, and rye to your diet. 

Potassium

Potassium affects heartbeat and muscle function. When there is an imbalance of electrolytes, it causes heart arrhythmias and affects the functioning of the nervous system. Often, levels fluctuate due to kidney disorders. 

Those with low potassium levels can increase it by eating bananas, honeydew, oranges, and dried fruits. 

Sodium

Sodium regulates critical electrical signals sent throughout the body. It also manages how much water is in your cells. Sodium transmits itself in and out of the cells, playing a role in the brain, nervous system, and muscle functions. 

Chronic kidney disease makes the sodium levels in the body fluctuate, causing hypernatremia and hyponatremia. 

Fish, poultry, and salted meats have an abundance of sodium and are recommended for those who have low levels in their diet. 

If you’re experiencing chronic kidney disease, reach out to the doctors at Mt Auburn Nephrology. They provide compassionate and dedicated care to their patients. With a focus on kidney disorders, they use their decades of experience to diagnose and treat the conditions. If you’re in the Cincinnati, OH, area, you can make an appointment at (513) 841-0222. For more information on their services, visit their website.