Ask doctor Cory.

Dear Dr. Cory:

I just got over a virus and every now and then I feel dizzy. The doctor says this is because I need electrolytes. I asked my mother, but she does not know what electrolytes are. Can you please tell me what electrolytes are and what they do for the body?

Thank you!

Brooks

Roswell, Georgia

Dear Brooks:

Electrolytes (eel-ECK-tro-lites) are electrically charged minerals such as sodium, potassium, chloride, calcium, and magnesium that are found in your blood and other body fluids. Their electric charge helps them balance fluid levels in the body, allow food in and wastes out of cells, tighten and relax muscles, send nerve messages, and control blood pressure.

If we lose a lot of body fluid quickly, as with heavy sweating or from diarrhea, vomiting, high fever, or serious burns, we also lose a lot of electrolytes. That is why it is important during those times to drink plenty of fluids to replace the water that is lost.

Electrolytes can usually be replaced by having plenty to drink and eating a balanced diet. For example, bananas or orange juice can replace the potassium lost during exercise.

Occasional dizziness is not unusual at certain times, like when you are tired, hungry, or when you stand up suddenly. But if you continue to have dizziness or are unable to keep your balance, tell your parents and doctor, so they can rule out other health problems.

Don't Think Sports Drink

Sports drinks are not the right way for kids to replace electrolytes.

Water, juice, and healthy snacks are usually the best bet.

When sick, ask your doctor to recommend an electrolyte drink such as Pedialyte. Sports drinks contain lots of sugar, which is bad for your teeth and health, and can make such problems as diarrhea worse. This means you could end up losing even more fluid.

Dear Dr. Cory:

I wonder how and why people get earwax.

Jacquelyn

Kings Hill, Puerto Rico

Dear Jacquelyn:

Our bodies ate amazing! Even something as simple as earwax has a very important job to do. Earwax has chemicals in it that help prevent infections. Along with tiny hairs, it helps keep dust off the eardrum. It also protects the lining of the ear canal.

Everyone has earwax. Some people have more than others. It is a normal part of the body. The light brown, sticky, waxy substance is produced by a type of sweat gland in the ear. Every day or two you may see a little earwax in the opening of the ear canal. It moves outward during chewing and during the normal growth of the ear canal lining. It usually rolls out on its own and can be cleaned away with a wash cloth.

Sometimes too much earwax builds up inside, hardens, and blocks the canal. This can cause hearing trouble, and needs to be removed by a doctor or nurse. You should not try to remove it yourself; you could cause severe damage to your ear or poke the wax in deeper. In fact, the most common cause of earwax buildup is putting cotton swabs or hairpins into the ear canal.

Dear Dr. Cory:

What causes hiccups and how do they form?

Desiree

Brooklyn, New York

Dear Desiree:

Under your lungs there is a large, flat muscle called the diaphragm (DIE-uh-fram) that helps you breathe in and out by tightening and relaxing.

Irritation of the phrenic (FREN-ik) nerve from the neck to the diaphragm can make the muscle tighten with a quick jolt. This draws air in with a hiccup sound.

Hiccups usually go away on their own, but you can also try holding your breath or breathing into a paper (NOT a plastic) bag for a short time. This increases the carbon dioxide in your blood and can stop or slow the diaphragm's tightening.

Sincerely,

Cory SerVaas, M.D.