Electrolytes: from the top

[GraysonK]

Ok, so I just need this all straightened out...

Heres what I think I have

Electrolytes include: Sodium, Chloride, Potassium, so on...

If we dont drink any water, dehydration results (could this also be called hypernatremia??)

If we drink alot of water without taking in any electrolytes, hyponatremia occurs as the water enters your system, reducing the concentration of electrolytes (or do electrolytes flow out, to get rid of the concentration gradient?)

If your stranded on a desert island, yadda yadda yadda, don't drink salt water (electrolytes?), it dehydrates you (I'm not sure why this is)

And I know somewhere concentration gradients and peeing alot, or not at all, tie into the whole thing...

So, can anyone explain this all to me? :wacko:

Thanks,
Grayson

 

[Ridryder911]

I could tell ya.. but you would not remember, so here is a link that is tutorial on electrolytes. Once, you have mastered this, then you will understand the body much better and understand about 50% of the common disorders we see and should be treating...


http://www.mc.maricopa.edu/dept/d31/nur/learning_objects/_concepts/index.html#fluid

R/r 911

 

[skyemt]

Rid,

thank you for that link... it is an absolutely fantastic site to further knowledge...the interactivity is very helpful as well... the best site so far that covers acid-base balance in the body...

you are singlehandedly educating this EMT-B to a level you would be satisfied with...

are there any other similar sites you can recommend?

thanks.