Major Extra and Intracellular Electrolytes

Introduction to Electrolytes

• Electrolytes are ions that conduct electricity when dissolved in water.
• They play essential roles in physiological processes, such as maintaining fluid balance, nerve conduction, and muscle function.
• Electrolytes are found both inside and outside cells, with specific concentrations necessary for proper cell function.
• They contribute to various bodily functions, including maintaining fluid balance, enabling nerve impulses, muscle contractions, and supporting essential metabolic processes.

Extracellular Electrolytes

Sodium ($Na+$)

• Primary Role: The main cation in extracellular fluid.
• Functions:
  • Maintaining fluid balance
  • Regulating blood pressure
  • Supporting nerve and muscle function
• Sources: Table salt, processed foods, canned soups, condiments, snacks
• Deficiency (Hyponatremia):
  • Symptoms: Muscle cramps, fatigue, headache, nausea, seizures
  • Severe Cases: Coma and death

Chloride ($Cl-$)

• Primary Role: The main anion in extracellular fluid.
• Functions:
  • Maintaining fluid balance
  • Supporting acid-base balance
  • Regulating osmotic pressure
• Sources: Table salt, processed foods, some vegetables
• Deficiency (Hypochloremia):
  • Symptoms: Muscle cramps, weakness
  • Severe Cases: Metabolic alkalosis, respiratory depression

Bicarbonate ($HCO3-$)

• Primary Role: Acts as a buffer in extracellular fluid.
• Functions:
  • Maintaining acid-base balance
  • Facilitating carbon dioxide transport
• Sources: Produced endogenously through metabolic processes
• Deficiency (Metabolic Acidosis):
  • Symptoms: Fatigue, rapid breathing, confusion
  • Severe Cases: Shock and death

Calcium ($Ca2+$)

• Primary Role: An essential extracellular cation, though in lower concentrations than sodium and chloride.
• Functions:
  • Blood clotting
  • Bone health
  • Nerve conduction
  • Muscle function
• Sources: Dairy products, leafy greens, fortified foods, fish with edible bones
• Deficiency (Hypocalcemia):
  • Symptoms: Muscle cramps, numbness, tingling, seizures
  • Severe Cases: Osteoporosis, rickets

Intracellular Electrolytes

Potassium ($K+$)

• Primary Role: The main cation in intracellular fluid.
• Functions:
  • Maintaining cell membrane potential
  • Nerve conduction
  • Muscle function
• Sources: Bananas, oranges, leafy greens, potatoes, tomatoes, yogurt
• Deficiency (Hypokalemia):
  • Symptoms: Muscle weakness, cramps, fatigue, constipation
  • Severe Cases: Heart arrhythmias, paralysis

Magnesium ($Mg2+$)

• Primary Role: An essential intracellular cation.
• Functions:
  • Protein synthesis
  • Muscle function
  • Energy metabolism
  • Enzyme regulation
• Sources: Nuts, seeds, legumes, whole grains, leafy greens
• Deficiency (Hypomagnesemia):
  • Symptoms: Muscle cramps, tremors, fatigue, loss of appetite
  • Severe Cases: Seizures, heart arrhythmias

Phosphate ($\mathrm{PO_4^{3-}}$)

• Primary Role: The primary anion in intracellular fluid.
• Functions:
  • Energy metabolism (as part of ATP)
  • Cell signaling
  • Nucleic acid and bone formation
• Sources: Dairy products, meat, fish, whole grains, nuts
• Deficiency (Hypophosphatemia):
  • Symptoms: Muscle weakness, bone pain
  • Severe Cases: Rickets, osteomalacia

Sulfate ($\mathrm{SO_4^{2-}}$)

• Primary Role: An important intracellular anion.
• Functions:
  • Protein synthesis
  • Detoxification
  • Structural molecule formation
• Sources: Animal proteins, legumes, some vegetables
• Deficiency: Rare and not well-established, but severe deficiency may affect protein synthesis and detoxification processes

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