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Treatment of chloride deficiency in the blood

What causes low chloride levels in blood test?

What causes low chloride levels in blood test?

Low chloride may also occur with congestive heart failure, diabetic ketoacidosis, aldosterone deficiency, prolonged vomiting or gastric suction, Addison disease, emphysema or other chronic lung diseases (causing respiratory acidosis), and with loss of acid from the body (called metabolic alkalosis).

Treatment of chloride deficiency in the blood

The element chloride contributes to regulating the pH of the blood and the fluid balance in the body, and its deficiency causes many problems. In this article, we will discuss ways to treat hypochloremia: 

Methods for treating chloride deficiency in the blood 

Usually, a lack of chloride causes the body to lose large amounts of fluid; It is therefore important to treat this problem and bring chloride levels back to normal. 

Here are the main treatment methods used: 

1. Treatment of the main cause 

The lack of chloride in the blood may be due to one of the following reasons: 

  • Taking some medications, such as: loop diuretics, laxatives, cortisone, and bicarbonates, and here hypochloremia is treated by reducing the doses of these drugs if possible, cutting them off or replacing them with medications Other
  • Having kidney problems. The kidneys are responsible for regulating the levels of electrolytes in the blood. The lack of chloride is often caused by kidney problems, and here the case is referred to a specialist and additional tests are done for treatment. 

2. Drug treatment

Acetazolamide may be used to treat acute hypochloremia.

3. Attempting to make up for the shortfall

This is as follows:

  • If the deficiency is severe, treatment is by administering normal saline solution intravenously. to make up for the shortfall.
  • If the deficiency is mild, the deficiency of chloride in the blood is treated with food. Where it can be obtained from vegetables, fruits and table salt. 

4. Other methods of treatment

They include: maintaining adequate amounts of water; It is recommended to drink about two liters of water a day, and avoid drinking coffee and caffeinated drinks, as they cause the body to lose fluids.

Diagnosis of chloride deficiency in the blood 

Hypochloremia is diagnosed by performing a blood test to determine chloride levels. The normal value of chloride varies according to the age group and is as follows: 

  • Adults: 98-106 mEq/L.
  • Children: 90-110 mEq/L.
  • Newborns: 90-110 mEq/L.
  • Premature babies: 95-110 mEq/L.

Usually, the levels of other elements, such as: sodium and potassium, are also measured.

If the doctor suspects the presence of metabolic alkalosis, he may order a test for the levels of sodium and chloride in the urine, and here he can determine the type of defect.

Normal levels of chloride in urine are: 25-40 mEq/L. If your urine chloride levels are less than 25 mEq/L; It means that a person loses chloride through the digestive system or suffers from cystic fibrosis. 

How to prevent chloride deficiency in the blood?

These are some of the procedures and measures that help prevent the occurrence of chloride deficiency in the blood:

  • Keep your doctor informed of your medical history, especially if you have kidney disease; or liver disease; or heart disease; or diabetes
  • Do not take any medicines without consulting your doctor.
  • Keep your body hydrated by drinking enough water. 

When should a doctor be consulted? 

A doctor is consulted if the following symptoms occur:

  1. Nausea that affects your ability to eat and cannot be relieved with medication.
  2. Vomiting more than 4-5 times in 24 hours.
  3. Severe diarrhea (more than 4-6 episodes in 24 hours that does not respond to medication)
  4. Severe constipation that lasts 2-3 days and does not respond to medication.
  5. Other symptoms include: severe muscle pain, increased urination, loss of appetite , excessive sleep, and feeling disoriented. 

source : wikipedia 

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