{"id":14520,"date":"2020-03-31T07:54:36","date_gmt":"2020-03-31T07:54:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/simplyhealth.today\/?p=14520"},"modified":"2021-05-07T13:26:15","modified_gmt":"2021-05-07T13:26:15","slug":"14-common-signs-of-chloride-deficiency","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/simplyhealth.today\/14-common-signs-of-chloride-deficiency\/","title":{"rendered":"14 Common Signs of Chloride Deficiency"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Human physiology works on a delicate balance of electrolytes and minerals that regulate the amounts of water the body holds at any given time. Electrolytes player critical role in maintaining this balance, and along with potassium and sodium, chloride helps to regulate the pH balance of the blood.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The most common form of chloride is available as table salt, also known as sodium chloride. Most of us receive enough chloride in our diet, and we don’t need to supplement with this electrolyte. However, due to dietary limitations, such as a vegan lifestyle, many individuals may find that they start to become deficient in chloride.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hypochloremia is the medical term for an electrolyte imbalance. This imbalance occurs when there’s an insufficient amount of chloride in your system, and it can lead to a variety of adverse health conditions. Take a minute and read through this list of the common signs of a chloride deficiency. If you notice you’re dealing with any of these issues, make an appointment with your doctor to confirm the deficiency.  
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1.     Fatigue<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Electrolytes <\/a>play a significant role in regulating metabolic rate, blood pressure, and the nervous system. When we don’t get enough chloride in our diets, it results in a deficiency in this vital electrolyte, throwing the body into an imbalanced state. As a result of being pulled out of homeostasis, the body starts to notice changes and energy levels.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The affected individual might start to feel tired in the morning and struggle to maintain energy levels throughout the day, even if they had a good night’s sleep. The feelings of fatigue will persist until the patient corrects the electrolyte imbalance caused by chloride deficiency.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

One of the most common causes of an electrolyte imbalance is drinking too much water. When the water body consumes too much water, it leads to a condition known as hyponatremia. Patients who are dealing with hyponatremia find that the excess water in their diet flushes out sodium and chloride with urine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As a result, the affected individual will need to replace these electrolytes using supplements to bring then back into balance.
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2.     Muscular Weakness<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Fatigue <\/a>is usually the first sign of chloride deficiency to appear, and it’s a common occurrence with all electrolyte imbalances that include sodium and potassium. As the fatigue sets in, the affected individual may also notice that they start to feel weak as the day progresses.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The affected individual may find that they struggle to lift items overhead or heavy objects off of the floor. In some cases, muscle weakness can get so bad that the patient may not want to even get out of bed in the morning. If left undiagnosed and untreated, the patient will get progressively weaker, and they may start to experience other more severe symptoms of the electrolyte imbalance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you notice a combination of fatigue and weakness affecting your body, then you must arrange an immediate appointment with your doctor for a blood test. Your physician will take a blood sample and send it to the lab for analysis, and then call you with the results of your tests and suggestions for treatment.
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3.     Shortness of Breath<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Electrolyte imbalances play a significant role in the development of several adverse health responses in the body.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

One of the lesser common symptoms of a chloride deficiency is a shortness of breath. The shortness of breath occurs typically after exercise<\/a>, such as walking up and down a flight of stairs. The patient may find that they develop this sudden shortness of breath suddenly, and it takes them five to 10-minutes to recover their heart rate and return their breathing to normal levels.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shortness of breath can be a dangerous complication and individuals that already have breathing issues such as emphysema and COPD. However, in healthy individuals under the age of 45 years old, shortness of breath might not appear as a severe situation until it becomes a regular occurrence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you do notice that you are dealing with the shortness of breath of the exercise along with other symptoms in this list, visit your doctor for blood work tests to confirm the condition.  
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4.     Feeling Thirsty<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

When the body undergoes a mineral and electrolyte imbalance, the affected individual might find that they start to feel thirsty all the time. In some cases, the patient may feel thirsty even after drinking a full glass of water. Electrolyte imbalances cause issues with the way the kidneys and the blood hold water.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Individuals with chloride deficiency may start to notice that they experienced the symptoms of puffy face and skin as if they are holding water subcutaneously. Even though the body is holding on to more water, it still signals to the brain that it requires more, and that’s why individuals will feel thirsty all the time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Feeling thirsty is also a common symptom associated with diabetes <\/a>or prediabetes. Therefore, if you notice that you are feeling thirsty all the time and you are also experiencing other symptoms on this list, you could be dealing with an electrolyte imbalance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Given the severity of the situation, it’s best if you visit your physician for a blood work test to confirm chloride deficiency or a deficiency in any minerals or electrolytes.
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5.     Vomiting<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Minerals and electrolytes are responsible for maintaining a delicate balance of homeostasis in the body. When the affected individual starts to experience the onset of chloride deficiency, they may notice that they begin to feel nauseous<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As the noisier continues, the patient may find that they start to feel sensations of vomiting start to occur. The chloride deficiency throws the body into an electrolyte imbalance, where it does not know how to handle body water efficiently and effectively.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As a result of the deficiency, the affected individual being into vomit or experience severe diarrhea to remove the excess fluids from the body. However, in many cases, this leads to severe cases of dehydration, and the patient may begin to experience life-threatening complications as a result of the imbalance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you notice the onset of vomiting and diarrhea symptoms, have someone take you to the emergency room immediately for medical assistance.
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6.     Dehydration<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Unfortunately, patients who are dealing with a chloride deficiency Anna resulting electrolyte imbalance may start to feel the effects of vomiting and diarrhea. These conditions rapidly deplete the body of any remaining electrolytes and minerals, as well as body fluids.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The patient will have to replace body fluids electrolytes and minerals after each purge, or else they run the risk of going into a severely dehydrated state. Dehydration <\/a>is a life-threatening condition associated with a chloride deficiency that results in an electrolyte imbalance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In a dehydrated state, the affected individual will start to experience issues with cognitive function as well as problems with cardiac function, a possible respiratory failure. The patient requires immediate medical assistance, and a doctor will admit them to ICU, where they administer intravenous fluids to replace the body’s electrolytes, minerals, and fluids.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If the patient does not seek immediate medical assistance, they run the risk of developing severe complications that may result in seizures and possible death of the patient.
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7.     Seizures<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

As mentioned, individuals who are experiencing an electrolyte imbalance as a result of chloride deficiency may end up with vomiting and diarrhea symptoms that lead to dehydration. The issue with dehydrating the body in the state is that the patient may start to experience seizures from the lack of electrolytes and minerals available for normal neuromuscular and CNS functions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Seizures <\/a>can become a life-threatening event, especially if the patient has no one around to help them. The patient may end up swallowing their tongue or perhaps choke on their vomit during the seizure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, it’s important to note that most people do not reach this severe stage of electrolyte depletion and dehydration. If you’re starting to feel thirsty all the time, and then experience the onset of vomiting and diarrhea symptoms associated with a mineral imbalance, visit the emergency room immediately.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A doctor will assess your situation and possibly administer intravenous fluids to replace the minerals and electrolytes in your body, allowing the blood and tissues to rehydrate.
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8.     High Blood Pressure<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Electrolytes are responsible for maintaining and regulating blood pressure in the body. Individuals who are dealing with a chloride deficiency that leads to an electrolyte imbalance may find that they start to experience the onset of hypertension. Hypertension can become a life-threatening event if the patient does not seek immediate medical assistance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hypertension <\/a>is a condition known as “the silent killer,” with the patient experiences high blood pressure readings that are well above the one 140-mark on the systolic. Hypertension is a dangerous situation and may also show signs that the kidneys are struggling to deal with the electrolyte imbalance caused by chloride deficiency.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If the patient does not receive immediate medical treatment, they may end up falling into a coma and experienced renal failure due to extended hypertension and high blood pressure readings. Hypertension is more and more of the severe complications involved with the condition, and the patient requires excellent medical care to help them navigate the recovery.
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9.     Heart Complications<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

One of the more severe complications involving a chloride deficiency and the resulting electrolyte imbalance that occurs is complications with the cardiovascular system. The heart and endothelial cells rely on the delicate electrolyte balance to manage the water in the cells.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

With a chloride deficiency, the affected individual may start to lose water rapidly, putting pressure on the cardiovascular system that may result in the feeling of a tight chest. As the condition progress is the tightness <\/a>in the chest may become severe, and the patient may start to experience arrhythmias in their heartbeat.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

These arrhythmias can become life-threatening if the patient does not seek immediate medical assistance. The affected individual should have someone drive them to the hospital for diagnosis and treatment by a medical professional. It’s also important to note that heart complications may also be a sign of underlying heart disease or health disorders.
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10.  Kidney Disease<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Patients who are dealing with chloride deficiency that leads to an electrolyte balance may take some time to discover that they need medical assistance. During the period where they remain undiagnosed and untreated, the patient may start to experience problems with their kidneys<\/a>. They may notice a tightness in their lower back, and a pain that radiates from the low back through towards the stomach.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The kidneys also rely on a delicate balance of electrolytes and minerals in the blood to help them filter the bloodstream of impurities. When the essential electrolytes are not available in the bloodstream to help the kidneys complete their function, the patient may start to experience renal issues that can cause severe health complications.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Patients diagnosed with acute kidney disease may also be dealing with chloride deficiency or deficiency and other vitamins and minerals. Therefore, the physician may put them on a protocol of supplements design to increase the electrolyte balance in the body and bring it back towards homeostasis.
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11.  Liver Disease<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Patients who are dealing with a chloride deficiency that leads to an electrolyte imbalance may also start to experience problems with their liver. The liver is an organ in the body responsible for filtering out waste products and toxins. When it’s in a dysfunctional state due to an electrolyte imbalance, the liver may start to experience scaring, also known as cirrhosis<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As the scar tissue builds in the liver, the patient starts to experience the onset of other related health conditions. The patient’s kidneys may also begin to take a toll from the liver’s lack of efficiency in clearing toxins from the body, and the patient might find that they start to see the signs of jaundice appearing in the whites of their eyes and coloration of this skin.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Jaundice is a condition with the liver produces too much bilirubin. As a result, it leads to the change in color to the eyes in the skin. People who are dealing with jaundice need to seek immediate medical treatment to ensure that the liver does not enter a state of sepsis or septic shock.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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12.  Itchy Skin<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

People who are dealing with an electrolyte imbalance may find that they start to suffer from poor circulation<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Electrolytes help the heart move water and blood around the body, and in a weakened state of circulation, your skin might start to experience changes. Affected individuals may find that they begin to feel itchy often in the same spot.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This itchy sensation comes from a lack of circulation in the body due to a lack of electrolytes building ATP, which transports biological energy to cells. As the body experience is a reduction in electrolytes such as chloride potassium or phosphorus, it may lead to the sensation of itching skin.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

By increasing your intake of electrolytes and minerals every day, these symptoms should begin to subside. However, if you notice itching alongside any of the other signs in this list, then you must visit your doctor for a diagnosis immediately.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Your physician will recommend a course of treatment based on the severity of your electrolyte imbalance and your chloride deficiency.
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13.  Metabolic Alkalosis<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

As mentioned, the delicate balance of electrolytes and minerals <\/a>in your body is responsible for optimum metabolic rate and metabolic function. When you start to experience the signs of diminished electrolytes in the body, it can lead to some severe adverse health conditions appearing in the affected individual.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

One of the more severe signs of a chloride deficiency in affected individuals is the development of metabolic alkalosis. This medical term describes a condition where the blood pH is higher than usual towards the alkaline side. As a result, the patient may start to experience all sorts of adverse health conditions such as confusion, apathy, and even cardiac arrhythmias.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If the patient remains undiagnosed and untreated by a medical professional, they run the risk of developing severe complications that could end up in the development of seizures or them falling into a coma. However, most individuals catch the chloride deficiency before it reaches this staging starts to cause severe problems with their health.
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14. Tingling in the Fingers<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

An electrolyte imbalance may also lead to the patient developing the sensation of tingling <\/a>in the fingertips. This tingling sensation may also extend into the palms of the hands. The patient may also feel a tightness in their fingers when they’re typing on a keyboard. The sign of chloride deficiency is common with low calcium and low phosphorus levels as well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Patients are experiencing tingling in the fingers are in the early stages of chloride deficiency, and they may benefit from the use of chloride supplements to correct the imbalance. However, tingling in the fingers may also be a sign of another more significant underlying medical condition, and the patients speak to their doctor for advice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Your doctor will assess your situation and see if you have any of the other contributing signs of chloride deficiency mentioned on this list. If the tingling occurs alongside any of the other 13 symptoms in this list, the doctor will run a blood test to check for a chloride deficiency in your bloodstream.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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