Serum and Urinary Electrolytes in Health and Disease: An Overview

Abstract

The human body is an amazing machine, with mechanisms that keep fluid balance, electroneutrality and pH within relatively narrow ranges. Electrolytes are essential in this process because they control fluid volume, osmotic pressure, acid-base balance, cardiac cell contractibility, and neuromuscular cell excitability. Electrolytes include sodium, potassium, magnesium, calcium, and phosphorus are required for proper metabolic reactions and homeostasis. They work together to maintain cell membrane function, neuron conductivity, muscle contraction, hormone activity, bone structure, and fluid and acid-base balance. Electrolyte imbalances can be life-threatening, thus maintaining homeostasis is essential for overall health. This review examined the role of serum and urine electrolytes in health and disease, focusing on their roles, composition, and complex regulatory processes involved in achieving osmotic equilibrium, fluid and electrolyte balance, diseases, risk factors, laboratory diagnosis, and management.