electrolytes Flashcards
what are electrolytes
minerals in the body that have an electric charge
where are electrolytes found
in blood, urine, tissues and other bodily fluids
what do electrolytes do
- maintain homeostasis
- ensure healthy functioning of nerves, muscles, heart and brain
how do electrolytes maintain homeostasis
by balancing water content and the body’s acid/base (pH) level
how are electrolytes obtained
from a balanced diet
what is homeostasis
a process that by which an organism keeps its internal environment relatively constant and different from its external environment to stay alive
is the concentrations of ions the same inside and out the cell
no
how is ion concentration maintained
the cell must import and export some substances
is sodium higher extracellularly or intracellularly
extracellularly
is potassium higher extracellularly or intracellularly
intracellularly
what is the plasma membrane
a selectively permeable barrier between the extracellular environment and the cytosol
what determines distribution between intra- and extra-VASCULAR components
it is determined osmotically by proteins
what determines the distribution between intra- and extra-CELLULAR components
electrolytes
is fluid output and input ideally balanced or unbalanced
balanced
where is renin produced
in the kidneys
what is renin produced in response to
sympathetic stimulation and altered blood flow
what does renin do
converts angiotensinogen to angiotensin I
what is angiotensin I converted to
its converted to angiotensin II in the lungs by enzyme ACE (angiotensin converting enzyme)
what does the conversion of angiotensin I to angiotensin II stimulate
the adrenal cortex to produce aldosterone
what does aldosterone do
it activates the pump in the distal renal tubule which leads to reabsorption of Na+ and water from the urine in exchange for K+ and H+ ions
what mainly controls water balance
Na+
what does increased plasma (Na+) cause
thirst which causes release of antidiuretic hormone (ADH)
where is the antidiuretic hormone (ADH) produced from
the posterior pituitary
what does release of ADH cause
it increases the passive water reabsorption from renal collecting ducts
where does ion transport go on
- acid secretion in stomach
- absorption in GI tract
- muscle function (skeletal vs smooth muscle)
- neuronal function
- renal-hepatic system
what happens in the body when there is low body sodium
cellular over-hydration
confusion, fits
what happens in the body when there is high body sodium
cellular dehydration
thirst, confusion, coma
what happens in the body when there is water deficiency
- increased blood pressure
- low pulse volume
- decreased skin turgor
- peripheral vasoconstriction
- tachycardia
- raised plasma protein
- uraemia
what causes dehydration
when your body loses more fluid than you take in
what happens when the normal water content in the body is reduced
it upsets the balance of minerals (salts and sugar) in your body, which impacts the way it functions
what makes up two thirds of the human body
water
what does water do in the body
- it lubricates the joints and eyes
- aids digestion
- flushes out waste
- keeps skin healthy
what are some of the early warning signs of dehydration
- feeling thirsty
- light headed
- dark coloured, strong smelling urine
- passing urine less than usual
dehydration signs in babies
- sunken soft spot
- have few or no tears when crying
- fewer wet nappies
- are drowsy
when should GP be consulted for dehydration in infants under 1
asap
should infants under 1 be given oral rehydration solutions
if the GP tells you to
why is it important to not give too much solely water to infants for dehydration
it may exacerbate the problem by diluting electrolytes/minerals further
give squash/oral rehydration solutions in small amounts as recommended
side effects of Senna (laxative)
- watery diarrhoea with excessive loss of fluid and electrolytes
- muscle weakness
- weight loss
- malabsorption & bowel issues
- heart problems
- kidney problems
- red or yellow colour of faeces and urine
what effect does peppermint oil have
a laxative effect and limited studies show relief of IBS symptoms
what does peppermint oil do
- restores gut transit
- purported mechanism of action against TRPM8, a cold sensing Na+/Ca2+ channel
- reduces activity of pain sensing fibres in GI tract
