Electrolytes are salts that become ions, electrically charged substances, when put in bodily fluids like blood. Their ability to conduct electricity makes them useful to your body. One of their functions is to carry electrical impulses from your nerves and muscles to other cells. As a result, the balance of electrolytes is essential for your body to function normally. Although there are several electrolytes, doctors measure four types of electrolytes during a blood test.
Sodium
Sodium is a positively charged ion and is the equivalent to table salt when combined with chloride. This electrolyte regulates the amount of water in the body and helps cells to communicate with each other. Sodium moves in and out of cells, carrying electrical impulses from the brain, nervous system, and muscles.
Potassium
Potassium is also a positively charged ion found in the body. This electrolyte is important to the muscles in the body, specifically the heart. The proper level of potassium helps to regulate the heart beat and muscle contractions. An imbalance of this electrolyte causes irregular heartbeats, which can be fatal.
Chloride
Chloride is an ion with a negative charge and is found in blood as well as fluids outside of the cell. Chloride is also the negatively charged part of table salt or sodium chloride. Sea water has a similar concentration of chloride as the human body. This electrolyte is important to maintaining the balance of fluids in the body. This balance is maintained by the body but can be affected by sweating, vomiting and diarrhea.
Bicarbonate
The bicarbonate ion is important to maintaining levels of acidity in blood and other fluids in the body. The acidity in your bodily fluids is usually affected by ingested foods and medications.
