Hyperchloremia (patient information)
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Hyperchloremia |
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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1] Assistant Editor-In Chief: Dipen Kumar[2]
Overview
Hyperchloremia is a condition where the amount chloride ions (Cl-) in the body are too high. This condition can affect the transport of oxygen.
What are the symptoms of Hyperchloremia?
- Often, hypercloremia does not produce symptoms. However some symptoms can be:
- Excessive fluid loss (diarrhea, vomiting)
- Dyspnea (shortness of breath)
- Intense thirst
- Weakness
- Tachypnea (rapid breathing)
- Hypertension (high blood pressure)
- Pitting Edema (abnormal amount of fluid under the skin, causing swelling)
- Lowered cognitive ability
- Kussmaul's breathing (deep and rapid breathing)
- Possible coma
If the suffer is a diabetic, hyperchloremia can cause high levels of blood sugar.
What causes Hyperchloremia?
Hyperchloremia is caused by:
- Low Anion Gap (when the difference in positive and negative ions in the serum is low)
- Metabolic and Endocrine
- Diabetes insipidus or diabetic coma
- High sodium level in blood
- Hyperparathyroidism
- Metabolic Acidosis
- Type I and II Renal Tubular Acidosis
- Hypernatremia
- Gastorintestinal
- Dehydration
- Ileal loops
- Kidney diseases
- Loss of pancreatic secretion
- Prolonged Diarrhea
- Ureteral colonic anastomosis
- Vomiting
- Brain stem injury causing neurogenic hyperventilation
- Medications
- Androgens
- Corticosteroids
- Diuretics
- Estrogens
Who is at highest risk?
People who are at risk are people who have diabetes or kidney diseases.
Diagnosis
Tests can be done to check your serum:
- If your serum chloride levels are greater than 106 mEq/L you have hyperchloremia
- Serum pH is under 7.35
- Serum carbon dioxide levels less than 22 mEq/L.
A chloride test can be done on a sample of the total urine collected over a 24-hour period (24-hour urine sample) to find out how much chloride is excreted.
When to seek urgent medical care?
Consult a doctor immediately if you have any of these:
- Diarrhea – 4 to 6 episodes in a day, and not relieved by diet modification or anti-diarrhea drugs
- Excessive drowsiness or confusion
- Extreme nausea that interferes with eating and not relieved by medicines
- Irritability and muscle twitching
- Poor appetite and increased urination
- Severe constipation for 2 to 3 days, and not relieved by laxatives
- Vomiting more than 4 to 5 times in a day
Treatment options
Where to find medical care for Hyperchloremia?
Directions to Hospitals Treating Hyperchloremia