Maintaining a balanced diet that includes all the required minerals like Calcium, phosphorus, potassium, sodium, magnesium, iron, iodine, zinc etc. is extremely essential for a proper functioning body. Deficiency in any of these can cause several disorders. Lowering of potassium and sodium in diet leads to hypokalemia and hyponatremia.

135-145 mEq/L is considered a normal sodium level. If sodium level starts decreasing from this range one will suffer from hyponatremia. Similarly for hypokalemia to occur the potassium level starts to decrease from 3.6-5.2 mmol/L. These low sodium and potassium levels lead to a lot of complications in a person including seizures, lost consciousness, Cushing’s syndrome and others. Studies show that females tend to get hypokalemia more often than males. Sodium plays an important role in balancing the osmotic pressure of the cells, controlling the blood pressure and working of nerves and muscles. Though drinking lots and lots of water is recommended for maintaining the electrolyte balance, excessive water can lead to dilution of the sodium in the body. When this happens the body water level rises and cells swell up.

 Hyponatremia:

Hyponatremia is a condition in which the sodium concentration in the blood decreases or gets lowered. There are multiple causes that can lead to this condition

Causes of low sodium:

• Medicines like painkillers, antidepressants and diuretics cause variations in the kidney functioning and  hormonal balance which keep the Na concentration within the range.
• High ADH (Antidiuretic hormone) can cause the body to retain the excessive water instead of removing it through urine which increases the water levels.
• When kidneys and liver don’t work properly, extra fluids start to accumulate which dilutes the sodium in the body of people suffering from chronic diarrhoea vomiting and dehydration causing the loss of excessive electrolytes leading to increase in ADH.
• Adrenal gland is responsible for maintaining the balance of sodium, potassium and water in our body. Failure of the adrenal gland functioning (Addison’s disease) can also lead to hyponatremia.
• When hypothyroidism occurs it can also become the reason for low sodium levels.

Symptoms:

• Chronic diarrhoea,vomiting and nausea.
• Headache, confusion, seizures and coma
• Loss of energy, muscle pain and cramps.

Hypokalemia:

In the body potassium plays a very important role in keeping the cell healthy, providing all the essential nutrients they need, especially the cells of the heart. It is also responsible for controlling blood pressure. Abnormalities in the potassium level arises due to the following reasons:

 Causes of low potassium:

• The primary cause of hypokalemia or loss of Potassium is through excessive urination especially in those patients who are prescribed diuretics usually given to control high blood pressure and heart disease.
• Diarrhoea vomiting both can lead to loss of potassium through the digestive tract
• Excessive use of alcohol can also become a reason for low potassium level  in the blood.
• Use of antibiotics, steroids and folic acid deficiency can also be listed among the causes of low potassium.
• Dialysis can also lead to hypokalemia as the reabsorption does not take place in the process.

Symptoms:

• Mild symptoms include weakness, feeling tired,  leg pain and camps, constipation and high blood pressure
• As the levels of potassium keep decreasing there are chances of elevation in the heart rates leading to slow cardiac arrest.
• As the bones and muscles start to get weak it can also cause flaccid paralysis.
• People might sometimes also suffer from psychotic and mental illness.

Prevention and treatment of low sodium: 

Prevention:

• Preventing hyponatremia means to eradicate the causes which include getting treatment for any type of adrenal gland insufficiency.

• Be aware of signs and symptoms by educating oneself. If one comes across any kind of abnormality it’s best to see a doctor. Also makes others familiar with the symptoms to help them reduce the risk.
• One should keep a track on how much water they consume in a day. Especially after a vigorous workout or a long run the urge to drink water increases.
• Replacing water with fluids with electrolytes during Sports session can be helpful.

Treatment:

• When moderate symptoms occur usually due to diet, diuretics or consuming lots of water, the treatment recommended is controlling intake of fluids to increase levels of sodium.
• In case of severe or acute hyponatremia proper consultation and treatment is required.
• Doctors recommend intravenous electrolyte solutions to raise the sodium levels in the blood. At times the patient is also asked to get hospitalised in order to monitor the Na level.
• Medicines are available to cure the symptoms of hyponatremia that includes headaches, nausea and seizures.

Prevention and treatment of low potassium:

Various methods of preventing and treating low potassium or hypokalemia are as follows-

• Controlling diet and eating Potassium-rich food can control mild hypokalemia. Food rich in potassium includes fig, molasses,  green leafy vegetables, barn cereals and wheat.
• This does not work then potassium supplements are given in the form of medication.
• A person is suffering from diarrhoea he must get himself treated to reduce potassium loss.
• Acute or severe hypokalemia is treated by intravenous supplementation, usually a saline solution.

Conclusion:

Taking care of the body helps keep healthy. Do not ignore the signs and symptoms of any particular disease or disorder. It is very important to consult the doctor before it’s too late. Try to have a balanced diet that includes all kinds of nutrients in it. Minerals that are required in very small amounts also play a very essential role. Maintaining body fluid balance is very important to have controlled blood pressure, thyroid and all the other hormones. Disturbance in any of these can be fatal.