MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia: Electrolytes

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Electrolytes

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Alternative names	Definition

Alternative names

Serum chemistries

Definition Return to top

Electrolytes are minerals in your blood and other body fluids that carry an electric charge. It is important for the balance of electrolytes in your body to be maintained, because they affect the amount of water in your body, blood pH, muscle action, and other important processes. You lose electrolytes when you sweat, and these must be replenished by drinking lots of fluids.

Electrolytes exist in the blood as acids, bases, and salts (such as sodium, calcium, potassium, chlorine, magnesium, and bicarbonate) and can be measured by laboratory studies of the blood serum.

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Update Date: 10/15/2003

Updated by: A.D.A.M. editorial.

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