Body Fluid And Electrolytes( chemistry for healthcare services)

Body fluids and electrolytes

1. Fluid and Body Electrolytes

2. Definition of Fluids and Electrolytes Body fluids refers to body water and its dissolved solutes. These fluids are set in two major compartment, i.e fluids found within the cells called intracellular fluids(ICF) and fluids found outside the c e lls c a ll e d E x t r a c e ll u l a r fl u i ds Examples of these fluids are blood, saliva ,synovial fluids, pleural fluids etc.

3. Definition of Fluids and Electrolytes Electrolytes are inorganic substances that dissociates into ions in solution and can conduct electric current. However, there are a few organic molecules such as citric acid, oxaloacetic acids, lactic acid and several amino acids within proteins that are ionized. In solution, these organic molecules lose hydrogen ion and the rest of the molecule carries a negative charge. The four major electrolytes in the body's intracellular fluid are potassium, magnesium, phosphorous and the negatively charged protein. Whiles in the extracellular fluids are sodium, calcium, chloride and bicarbonate.

4. Types and Functions of Fluids in Our Body B o dy fl ui ds c a n b e d i s c u s s e d i n te r m s o f thei r sp e c i f i c fl ui d compartment, a location that is largely separated from another compartment by some form of a physical barrier. The intracellular fluid (ICF) compartment is the system that includes all fluid enclosed in cells by thei r pl a s m a m e m b r a ne s. Extracellular fluid (ECF) surrounds all cells in the body. Extracellular fluid has two primary constituents: the fluid component of the blood (called plasma) and the interstitial fluid (IF) that surrounds all cells not in the blood.

5. Functions of Intracellular Fluids in Our Body Human cells are bathed in fluids both inside the cell and out. In fact, the water that is inside the cell makes up about 42% of the total body weight. The fluid inside the cell is called intracellular fluid (ICF). All the fluid outside of the cell is called extracellular fluid (ECF) and is separated from the intracellular fluid by a semipermeable membrane that surrounds the cell. This membrane allows fluid to flow in and out, but prevents unwanted molecules or materials from getting in.

6. Functions of Intracellular Fluids in Our Body Intracellular fluid contains water and dissolved solutes and proteins. The solutes are electrolytes, which help keep our body functioning properly. An electrolyte is an element or compound that, when dissolved in fluid, breaks up into ions. There are a lot of electrolytes inside the cell, but potassium, magnesium, and phosphate have the greatest Concentrations.

7. Functions of Extracellular Fluids in Our Body The body has other water-based Extracellular fluid. These include the: cerebrospinal fluid that bathes the brain and spinal cord lymph the synovial fluid in joints, the pleural fluid in the pleural cavities th e p e r i c a r d i a l fl ui d i n th e c a r d i a c s a c the peritoneal fluid in the peritoneal cavity a n d th e a q ue o u s hu m o r o f th e e y e . Because these fluids are outside of cells, these fluids are also considered components of the Extracellular fluid .

8. Explanation of Ideal Body Fluid Percent However, the decreasing water percentage through the years is due in large part to having more body fat and less fat-free mass as you age. Fatty tissue contains less water than lean tissue, so your weight and body composition affect the percentage of water in your body. Water is essential to your body’s function: your brain and heart, for example, are 73% water, and your lungs are 83% water. Even your bones are 31% water. In an article in the Journal of Physiological Anthropology and Applied Human Science, “The Turnover of Body Water as an Indicator of Health,” the authors noted, “Water homeostasis (also known as fluid balance) is essential for healthy living,” and theorized that healthy people may have a higher body water turnover than unhealthy people.

9. Explanation of Ideal Body Fluid Percent The term body fluid refers to body water and its and it’s dissolved solutes. Though the actual average percentages of water in the human body vary by gender, age, and weight, one thing is consistent: starting at birth, more than half of the body weight is composed of water. The total volume of body water is about 42 liters. The normal range for adult women varies between 45% and 60%. For men, the ideal body water percentage fluctuates between 50% and 65% of the total body. In babies, that number is much higher. The normal range is between 75% and 78%, dropping to 65% by one year of age. For the first few months of life, nearly three-fourths of the body weight is made up of water. That percentage starts to decline before you reach your first birthday.

10. Explanation of Ideal Body Fluid Percent Adults A g e s 1 2 t o 18 A g e s 1 9 t o 50 A g e s 5 1 a n d older Male a v e r a g e : 5 9 range: 52%– 66% average: 59% range: 43%– 73% average: 56% range: 47%– 67% Female average: 56% range: 49%– 63% average: 50% range: 41%– 60% average: 47% range: 39%– 57% Water as percentage of body weight in infants. Birth to 6 months 6 months to 1 year 1 to 12 years Infants and children average: 74% range: 64%– 84% average: 60% range: 57%– 64% average: 60% range: 49%– 75% Water as percentage of body weight in adults.

11. Maintaining Fluid Balance Blood composition depends on three factors diet cellular metabolism urine output Kidneys have four roles in maintaining blood composition excretion of nitrogen -containing wastes(uric acid) maintaining water balance of the blood maintaining electrolyte balance of the blood ensuring proper blood PH

12. Maintaining Fluid Balance Intracellular Fluid (ICF): is the fluid inside the cells and it makes up about two-thirds of the body fluid. It is 28 liters in total. Extracellular Fluid: is the fluid found outside the cells and it is a total of f o u r tee n l ite r s th a t i n c l u d e s the : Interstitial fluid(11 liters) found between the cells. Blood plasma (3 liters).

13. Maintaining Fluid Balance Humans need 59 of elements but we need six elements to make 99 percent of the body fluid .They are oxygen, nitrogen, phosphorus, calcium, carbon and hydrogen. Carbon and Hydrogen makes up 75 percent they are mostly attached together as water which makes up sixty percent of the body fluid.

14. Maintaining Fluid Balance How The Body Maintains The Body Fluid. The gains or loss of fluid in the body is through fluid intake and output. Intake Food or drinks-2100ml per day Carbo metabolism -2300ml per day Output Lungs(through insensible breathing)-700ml per day Sweating-100ml per day Faeces-100ml per day Kidney -1,400 ml per day

15. Maintaining Fluid Balance Elements such as Iron, potassium, magnesium, chloride influence movement of water in compartment. When fluid enters the body, it first goes into the plasma. The capillary separates the plasma and the interstitial fluid . It then allows all fluids to pass through it except cell proteins. So cell proteins remain in the plasma. The filtrate of the fluid then moves to the interstitial compartment. The phospholipid bilayer separates the interstitial compartment and intracellular fluid. The phospholipid bilayer prevents charged fluids from getting to the intracellular compartment. So the charged fluids remains in the interstitial compartment and only the neutral fluid enter the intracellular compartment.

16. Maintaining Fluid Balance But when one sweats or passes urine or losses water in any way, the interstitial fluid becomes highly concentrated so water moves up from the intracellular fluid into the interstitial fluid to balance the saturation of the interstitial fluid making the intracellular compartment dehydrated. This makes the body feel for more water in order to maintain the total 6 p e r c en t fl u i d (w a te r ) i n th e b o d y .

17. Types and Functions of Electrolytes In The Body Electrolytes are essential for basic life functioning, such as maintaining electrical neutrality in cells, generating and conducting action p o tenti a ls i n th e ne r v e s a n d m u s c l e s. We have a significant number of electrolytes in the body, but we will be looking at the following: Sodium, potassium, chloride, magnesium, calcium, phosphate, and bicarbonates.

18. Types and Functions of Electrolytes In The Body Sodium Sodium, which is an osmotically active cation, is one of the most important electrolytes in the extracellular fluid. It is responsible for maintaining the extracellular fluid volume meaning sodium channels help control the amount of amount of water that gets out of the cells , and also f o r r e g u l a ti o n o f th e m e m b r a n e p o ten ti a l o f c e l ls. These channels help to transport specific nutrients and compounds into the cells. Sodium also helps in contraction of muscles as well as enabling the transmission of nerve impulses.

19. Types and Functions of Electrolytes In The Body Potassium Potassium is mainly an intracellular ion. It regulates the body’s pH and keeps a normal blood pressure. Being an intracellular ion, it regulates the amount of fluid that gets into the cells. It also helps in digestion and absorption of certain nutrients, while moving nutrients into the cells and waste products out. The sodium-potassium adenosine triphosphatase pump has the primary responsibility for regulating the homeostasis between sodium and potassium, which pumps out sodium in exchange for potassium, which moves into the cells. The reabsorption of potassium takes place at the proximal convoluted tubule and thick ascending loop of Henle. Potassium secretion occurs at the distal convoluted tubule. Aldosterone increases potassium secretion.

20. Types and Functions of Electrolytes In The Body Calcium Calcium is mostly present in extracellular fluid. It is involved in skeletal mineralization(making it crucial for strong bones and teeth), contraction of muscles(especially the heart muscle), the transmission of nerve impulses, blood clotting, and secretion of hormones. It also activates different enzymes and helps the release of hormones. The diet is the predominant source of calcium. Absorption of calcium in the intestine is primarily under the control of the hormonally active form of vitamin D, which is 1,25-dihydroxy vitamin D3. Parathyroid hormone also regulates calcium secretion in the distal tubule of kidneys. Calcitonin acts on bone cells to increase the calcium levels in the blood.

21. Types and Functions of Electrolytes In The Body Bicarbonate The acid-base status of the blood drives bicarbonate levels. Bicarbonate is responsible for maintaining the acid-base balance. Kidneys reabsorb the filtered bicarbonate and also generate new bicarbonate by net acid excretion, which occurs by excretion of both titratable acid and ammonia. Whatever leads to the loss of bicarbonate, will lead to an imbalance in acid-base regulation.

22. Types and Functions of Electrolytes In The Body Magnesium Magnesium is an intracellular cation. Magnesium is mainly involved in ATP metabolism, contraction and relaxation of muscles, proper neurological functioning (by helping carry impulses between the brain and the body), and neurotransmitter release. It is also needed for the formation of genetic material and ensuring cells have enough energy to perform their functions. When muscle contracts, calcium re-uptake by the calcium-activated ATPase of the sarcoplasmic r e ti c u l u m i s b r o u g h t a b o u t by m a g ne s i u m .

23. Types and Functions of Electrolytes In The Body Chloride Chloride is an anion found predominantly in the extracellular fluid. Chloride is reabsorbed by both proximal and distal tubules (majorly by proximal tubule) by both active and passive transport in the kidney. It is necessary for maintaining the proper balance of bodily fluids; chloride channels control the amount of water and the type of compounds and nutrients that go in and out of the body. It supports the production and release of hydrochloric acid in the stomach for digestion and absorption. It aids in muscle contraction. It regulates blood pressure and the pH level of the body. It helps red blood cells exchange Oxygen and Carbon dioxide in the lungs through inhalation and exhalation and other parts of the body.

24. Types and Functions of Electrolytes In The Body Phosphorus Phosphorus is an extracellular fluid cation. Eighty-five percent of the total body phosphorus is in the bones and teeth in the form of hydroxyapatite; the soft tissues contain the remaining 15%. It is involved in the formation of genetic material, while playing a big role in the production of phospholipids. Phosphorus also helps in maintaining a balanced pH level, delivering oxygen and in the forming of bones and teeth. Phosphate is a component of many metabolic intermediates and, most importantly of adenosine triphosphate(ATPs) and nucleotides. Phosphate is regulated simultaneously with calcium by Vitamin D3, PTH, and calcitonin. The kidneys are the primary avenue of phosphorus excretion.

25. General Functions of Electrolytes electrolytes are responsible for maintaining both the intracellular and e x t r a c e l l u l a r fl u i d v o l u m e . electrolytes help transport nutrients and other substances in and out of cells through their channels. electrolytes help in regulating membrane potential. electrolytes help in muscle contraction. electrolytes help in transmitting nerve impulses.

26. Maintaining Electrolytes Balance Electrolytes are minerals in your body that have an electric charge.They are in your blood, tissues and other body fluid. Electrolytes are important because they help balance the amount of water in your body. Acid and base level move nutrients into your cells. It also moves waste out of your cells.

27. Maintaining Electrolytes Balance At birth, your body is about 75 to 80 percent of water. By the time you're an adult, the percentage of water in your body drops to approximately 60 percent if you're male and 55 percent if you're female. The volume of water will continue to decrease as you age. Electrolytes come from the food and liquids you consume. Salt, potassium, calcium are example of electrolytes. Electrolytes take on a positive or negative charge when they dissolve in your body fluid. This enables them to conduct electricity or give signals throughout your body. These charges are crucial to many functions that keep you alive, including the operation of your brain, nerves, muscles and the creation of new tissue.

28. Maintaining Electrolytes Balance I n m a i nt a i n i n g e l e c t r o l y te s b a l a n c e , Eat a balanced, healthy diet which includes food that contain electrolytes. Drink plenty of water but don't overdo it Don't overuse over-the-counter diuretics or take them for a prolonged period of time without your doctor's approval Don't overuse salt. Foods with electrolytes include: spinach,kale,avocadoes,broccoli,potatoes,beans,almonds,peanut,soybeans,strawbe rries,watermelon,oranges,bananas,tomatoes,milk,yogurt,fish,turkey,chicken,veal,r aising and olives etc.

29. C o n d i tions A ssoc i a t e d W i th F l u i d Imbalance Fluid imbalance is an aspect of the homeostasis of an organism in which the amount of water in the organism needs to be controlled via osmoregulation and behaviour such that the concentration of electrolyte in the various body fluids are kept within healthy ranges. When the kidneys do not work well because of long-term (chronic) kidney disease, the body cannot get rid of unneeded fluids.

30. C o n d i tions A ssoc i a t e d W i th F l u i d Imbalance The body may lose too much fluid due to diarrhoea, vomiting, severe blood loss, or high fever. Lack of a hormone called antidiuretic hormone (ADH) can cause the kidneys to get rid of too much fluid. This results in extreme thirst and dehydration. The body cannot eliminate surplus fluids when the kidneys are ill and not functioning properly due to long-term (chronic) renal disease. Vomiting, severe blood loss, diarrhoea, or a high temperature can all cause the body to lose too much fluid. The kidneys may excrete excessive amounts of fluid if antidiuretic hormone (ADH) is deficient. Extreme thirst and dehydration follow from this.

31. C o n d i tions A ssoc i a t e d W i th F l u i d Imbalance Hypovolemia Normovolemia with maldistribution of fluid Hypervolemia Vomiting Severe blood loss Kidney failure High fever Heart failure pregnancy cirrhosis

32. C o n d i t i o n s A sso c i a t e d W i t h Electrolyte Imbalance An electrolyte imbalance occurs when certain mineral levels in your blood get too high or low. Symptoms of an electrolyte imbalance vary depending on the severity and electrolyte type, including weakness and muscle spasms. a blood test called an electrolyte panel checks levels. Electrolyte imbalance can cause problems with many different bodily systems which may be life threatening or severe.

33. C o n d i t i o n s A sso c i a t e d W i t h Electrolyte Imbalance Sometimes electrolyte imbalance may signify underlying conditions which are as fellows.... Heart Disease - this is a general term for many conditions that affect the heart. These conditions can include coronary artery disease, heart failure, and arrhythmias. In addition, heart disease can cause low electrolyte levels by affecting how the body retains fluids. Cancer - individuals with breast, renal, and prostate cancer are prone to low electrolytes due to issues stemming from the disease and treatment methods. This causes fluid and electrolyte imbalances that can lead to low electrolyte levels, specifically hyponatremia .[low sodium levels].

34. C o n d i t i o n s A sso c i a t e d W i t h Electrolyte Imbalance Sometimes electrolyte imbalance may signify underlying conditions which are as fellows.... Injury - when you are injury, especially, with burns, you can lose electrolytes through the fluid released from your body. This can lead to dehydration and low electrolyte levels if not treated properly. Kidney Disease - kidney disease occurs when the kidneys cannot properly filter waste from the blood. This can lead to a build-up of toxins in the blood, which can eventually caused by some things, including diabetes, high blood pressure, and infections.

35. C o n d i t i o n s A sso c i a t e d W i t h Electrolyte Imbalance Sometimes electrolyte imbalance may signify underlying conditions which are as fellows.... Liver Disease -liver disease occurs when the liver cannot function properly and includes conditions like cirrhosis, hepatitis, and fatty liver disease. Liver disease can lead to hyponatremia.[low sodium levels]and hypokalemia[low potassium levels]. Hypoparathyroidism -This is also a condition in which there are abnormally low levels of ones. These hormones regulate and maintain balance of two minerals- calcium and phosphorus in the body which lead to low calcium level and increase in phosphorus level in the blood. Some symptoms it portrays also include muscles aches and spasms and patchy hair loss.

36. C o n d i t i o n s A sso c i a t e d W i t h Electrolyte Imbalance Overhydration or water intoxication [drinking too much water] . A person becomes overhydrated when they consume too much water. This can cause the body's electrolyte levels to dilute, interfering with how the body functions. Dehydration due to not drinking enough liquids or from excessive vomiting, diarrhea, sweating[hyperhidrosis],or fever . and also sweating excessively cause low electrolyte level. When you sweat, you lose not only water but also electrolytes. if you sweat too much, you can deplete your body's electrolyte levels and become dehydrated. This can be due to strenuous exercise, illness, or just being outdoors on a hot day. And Vomiting or Diarrhea-fluid aren't the only thing you lose when you vomit or have diarrhea. You are also losing electrolytes. This can cause dehydration and other problems if not treated properly.