Electrolyte disorders in the elderly

Abstract

Electrolyte abnormalities in the elderly are common and it is most important to establish if drug treatment is the cause, as this is so easily remediable. The vast majority of electrolyte disturbances will settle with treatment of the underlying condition. Great attention must be paid to fluid balance to establish if the patient is receiving too little, which could induce hypernatraemia, or too much, particularly after surgery, which may induce hyponatraemia. Electrolyte levels should be checked ideally before and certainly after the prescription of diuretics. In the elderly it is important that the electrolyte levels be checked if the patient exhibits any vague symptoms, particularly if they are taking a diuretic. Care must be taken in replacing potassium as in most cases this is unnecessary and may have a significant morbidity.