Abstract
The water and electrolyte disorders are a frequently occurring and serious condition occurring in the old age. The causes of the water and electrolyte disorders are based on decreased capability of elderly individuals to adapt themselves to the pathological changes in the course of disease as well as to the effects of the outer environment.
Approaches to this type of disturbances have markedly changed in recent years, in particular from electrolyte and water management towards the aspects of the intermediary metabolism in the course of disease. From this standpoint, adjustments of water and mineral management are dependent very much on nutritional support and energy balance of the patient.
Some of the principal electrolytes, e.g. potassium and phosphorus, are of special importance in the view of the diseases of elderly individuals. These disorders participate in the development of clinical situation summarized under the term "a fragile patient." A new modern approach and differences in the treatment of water and electrolyte management are of special importance in intensive care and resolution of urgent conditions.
The paper aims to emphasize some differences in the new views on the treatment of disorders of water and electrolyte balance with special regard to the specifics of the geriatric patients.