Tag: Electrolyte disorder

An estimated 40% of hospitalized patients have an electrolyte disturbance, a condition referring to the imbalance of essential minerals in your body. These disturbances can have a wide range of health effects, from mild discomfort to life-threatening complications, and understanding what they are is the first step toward safeguarding your health.

Potassium is an essential electrolyte, with blood levels tightly regulated within a normal range of 3.5 to 5.2 mmol/L. When levels drop critically low, the question of How low can potassium be before death? becomes a serious medical concern.

According to the National Institutes of Health, a delicate fluid and electrolyte balance is vital for the proper functioning of organs and nerves. An imbalance can arise from many different conditions, so understanding what diseases cause fluid imbalance is a critical step toward maintaining overall wellness.

Affecting approximately 5% of adults, hyponatremia is widely considered the most common fluid and electrolyte imbalance, especially among hospitalized and elderly patients. This condition, defined by abnormally low sodium levels, can range from mild to life-threatening depending on its severity and underlying cause.

Hyponatremia is a common electrolyte disorder, particularly in hospitalized patients, with a prevalence as high as 22.2% in some settings. For medical professionals and patients alike, understanding **what is the difference between hypovolemic and hypervolemic hyponatremia** is foundational for accurate diagnosis and effective treatment planning.