Need help right now?
If someone needs immediate help with electrolyte imbalance, use emergency mode.
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DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — After vomiting, diarrhea, heat, or certain medicines, a person has severe cramps, weakness, confusion, or heart palpitations.
The essentials if you need to act right now.
Call 112 if chest pain or confused. Small sips ORS. Stop activity. Note medicines.
What might I see? Observable signs — no diagnosis required.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Severe muscle cramps, weakness, nausea, or irregular heartbeat.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Recent heavy vomiting, diarrhea, sweating, or water-only rehydration.
Optional deeper explanation — not required to act.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Sodium, potassium, and other electrolytes control muscles and heart rhythm.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Imbalance from fluid loss or medicines can cause cardiac arrest or seizures.
Check the scene before you approach.
Civilian-safe actions you can take.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Have them sit or lie down. Stop all physical exertion.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Ask about vomiting, diarrhea, heat exposure, and regular medicines.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — If conscious and not vomiting — small sips of ORS.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Watch for chest discomfort, fainting, or worsening confusion.
When and how to get professional help.
Chest pain, fainting, seizures, or severe confusion need emergency care.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Support with ORS and call for help. Do not give potassium or salt tablets without medical direction.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Call 112 for chest pain, fainting, seizure, or confusion with electrolyte risk factors.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — List medicines and fluid loss history for the dispatcher.
Dangerous actions, when not to attempt rescue, and common myths.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Do NOT self-treat with salt tablets or potassium supplements.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Do NOT ignore palpitations with dizziness — may be cardiac emergency.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Sports drinks alone fix any electrolyte emergency
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Commercial drinks may not correct severe imbalances. Medical assessment determines safe replacement.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Dangerous potassium or sodium levels from unsupervised self-treatment.
Other scenarios in the same family.
Adrenal crisis
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — A person on long-term steroids or with known adrenal problems has sudden severe weakness, vomiting, low blood pressure, or confusion.
Diabetic unconscious
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — A known or suspected diabetic is unresponsive. Cause may be very low or very high blood sugar.
Low blood sugar
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — A person with diabetes (or on certain medicines) is sweaty, shaky, confused, or irritable — signs of low blood sugar.
Severe dehydration
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — A person has not kept fluids down, has not urinated for many hours, and is weak, dizzy, or confused.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Blood tests and IV electrolyte correction require hospital care.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Athletes and elderly are especially vulnerable — err on side of calling help.