Are you feeling tired lately? Achy? A little out of sorts? You may be one of the many people who need more electrolytes. Electrolytes are essential for our health, and our bodies rely on them to function properly. In this blog post, we will discuss some of the signs that you may need more electrolytes and how you can go about getting them.
So one night years ago, I started feeling like my heart was about to burst out of my chest. I couldn’t breathe fully amidst my pounding heart beats. Well, after waiting in the emergency room lobby for a couple of hours, I finally was checked over. Was it a heart attack or something similar? No, it was just my potassium level had dropped really low. So a quick IV of fluids, a prescription to grab a Gatorade, and I was sent on my way with a hefty ER bill.
Now, to this day I remember that whenever I start to feel a bit out of sorts. I drink plenty of water each day just as I am sure many of you do as well. Water keeps us hydrated and is healthier than most of the other options available in today’s world. But water doesn’t have electrolytes normally.
What’s different between dehydration and low electrolytes?
Dehydration is when you are losing water and not replacing it at the same rate. This can happen due to sweating, vomiting, or diarrhea. Low electrolytes happen when you have a deficiency in one or more of the electrolytes: sodium, potassium, chloride, magnesium, and calcium. You can also have low electrolytes if you are taking certain medications such as diuretics, which help remove water and salt from your body.
So how do you know if you are low on electrolytes? Well, here are some signs:
- You feel tired or achy
- You feel dizzy or lightheaded
- Your heart is racing
- You have a headache
- You are having trouble breathing
- You are feeling confused or irritable
- You have muscle cramps
If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, it is important to see a doctor right away. Low electrolytes can be serious and even life-threatening if not treated properly.
How do you replenish your electrolytes?
The best way to replenish your electrolytes is by drinking fluids that contain them. Some examples of these are sports drinks, coconut water, and bone broth. This is the main selling point of why drinks like Gatorade are supposed to be “better than water” for athletes. You can also take supplements such as potassium or magnesium. Eating foods that are high in electrolytes is also a good way to replenish your levels. These include bananas, avocados, leafy green vegetables, and salmon. Diet is the best way to go about maintaining your electrolyte levels.
So to maintain your electrolytes, you should start with a good healthy diet. But if you are being physically active, which you should be doing, then you will be using up the electrolytes while you are active. Yes, you could go with something like Gatorade, but I would recommend sticking with simple electrolyte water options instead. Even better, just make your own by adding some electrolyte powder to your water!
