pH important to check....

Too acidic & you are in trouble for possible electrolyte imbalance

Definition

• Acidosis means that your body has more acid than normal. In other words, the pH of your body is lower than normal.

  The term serum acidosis refers specifically to the acid level of your blood.

  When your body is too basic (alkaline), the corresponding condition is called alkalosis.

   

Additional Info

Correct and vital function of your body depends on having the proper pH level and a balance of the various ions in your body (your electrolytes). Two components that play a vital role are the hydrogen cation, H⁺ and the bicarbonate anion, HCO₃^-. If one of these is either enhanced or depleted by physical activity, disease or chemical exposure, symptoms can begin to appear.

For example, those suffering from ketosis (a common condition in diabetes) can get a buildup of excess acids in the body, a condition called ketoacidosis.

MSDS Relevance

Exposure to certain chemicals may result in acidosis. Acidosis can cause a variety of symptoms, including headache, nausea and vomiting. The condition can be life-threatening if left untreated. If you suspect that exposure to a hazardous substance is causing symptoms such as these, see a physician immediately.

 

http://www.ilpi.com/msds/ref/electrolyte.html

Definition

• An electrolyte is a substance that, when dissolved in water, gives a solution that can conduct electricity. In your body, these are most often dissolved salts that contain sodium and potassium ions. Electrolytes are also called ionic solutes.

  The concentration of dissolved salts (electrolytes) in your blood affects all of your bodily functions. For example, sodium and potassium ions are vital to the central nervous system, but too much of either can kill you.

  Depletion of electrolytes can lead to fatigue, light-headedness, collapse and death among other nasty things.

   

Additional Info

When the electrolyte concentration of your blood is higher than that inside your cells, we call this a hypertonic state. Through a process called osmosis, water leaves your cells, making them contract and distort (crenation). Eventually, they cease to function.

When the electrolyte concentration of your blood is lower than that inside your cells, we call this a hypotonic state. Water enters your cells, and they swell until they burst and die (lysis).

For these reasons, intravenous (I.V.) solutions and injections use water that has the same electrolyte concentration as human blood (an isotonic solution) rather than pure water.

 

MSDS Relevance

Exposure to or ingestion of certain chemicals may affect the electrolyte balance of the body. Electrolyte imbalance can be a life-threatening condition if not immediately treated.

 

Additional Reading

• Drawings of cells in hypertonic and hypotonic solutions by Gary Anderson.
• A similar site (more graphics and actual pictures of cells) at the U of Florida