Imbalances

Abstract

In disturbances of body fluids there is an imbalance of water, electrolytes and/or pH; the most common situations—vomiting and diarrhea—involve a loss of both water and electrolytes. In extreme cases all three factors are often askew. For instance, whereas in mild vomiting and diarrhea the imbalances relate to lost water and electrolytes, in protracted cases the pH also changes; that is, an excessive loss of acid (HCl) incident to vomiting incites an alkalosis, and an excessive loss of base (HCO₃ ⁻) incident to diarrhea incites acidosis. Other conditions underscored by disturbances of body fluids include hemorrhage, burns, heat exhaustion, polyuria, edema, diabetes mellitus and acute kidney failure.