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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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What Causes The Fall Of Electrolyte Level When Temperature Changes?

Hello my name is Baris. My girlfriend (34 years old) had a heatstroke last summer at a summer place in Turkey. She stayed at the hospital overnight and received an IV fluid treatment. Blood test results showed that her electrolyte levels were below the required levels. We were told by the doctors that dehydration and alcohol consumption (the night before) could have triggered this situation. After we returned from our holidays she felt nauseous for nearly a month until she got well again. Two weeks ago we went to Thailand for holidays and she got sick again the first day we spent on the beach. Same symptoms: feeling shaky, dizzy and nauseous. We immediately went to the hospital and had to stay there for four nights (unconscious for the first two nights; she slept continuously) until she was ok to leave the hospital (extensive blood tests were done; results suggested decrease in electrolyte levels, no other problems). She received IV fluid and medicine treatment during this stay. We returned back from our holidays. The same uncomfortable state continues; she says she is feeling weak and nauseous. Any major temperature change in her surroundings makes her feel weak and nauseous again. What is the long term treatment of this situation? What do you suggest? Thank you very much. Best Regards, B. U.
Mon, 15 Sep 2014
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Internal Medicine Specialist 's  Response
Hello Baris,

I understand your girl friend's problem. This occurs to some people when they are exposed to un accustomed temperatures, they lose fluids and electrolytes from the body. It may occur from sweating or from insensible loss from the skin in such a situation. This leads to a fall in the blood pressure and a change in the sensorium.
The problem is aggravated with the use of alcohol.
It is important that she should take oral electrolyte solutions which are readily available or can be easily reconstituted from the powder form of oral electrolytes when she is on her next holiday on the beach. There is no need to be on continuous treatment when she is not on a holiday in the warm atmosphere. If ever such symptoms occur when she is in her usual home settings she would require a detailed investigations regarding salt losing conditions where electrolytes are lost in the urine.
If you have any further query, I am available to answer.
Dr. Noble Zachariah.
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What Causes The Fall Of Electrolyte Level When Temperature Changes?

Hello Baris, I understand your girl friend s problem. This occurs to some people when they are exposed to un accustomed temperatures, they lose fluids and electrolytes from the body. It may occur from sweating or from insensible loss from the skin in such a situation. This leads to a fall in the blood pressure and a change in the sensorium. The problem is aggravated with the use of alcohol. It is important that she should take oral electrolyte solutions which are readily available or can be easily reconstituted from the powder form of oral electrolytes when she is on her next holiday on the beach. There is no need to be on continuous treatment when she is not on a holiday in the warm atmosphere. If ever such symptoms occur when she is in her usual home settings she would require a detailed investigations regarding salt losing conditions where electrolytes are lost in the urine. If you have any further query, I am available to answer. Dr. Noble Zachariah. If you find this answer helpful, please indicate the same.