Magnesium and potassium, along with sodium and calcium, are examples of electrolytes that are present in the blood. Electrolytes help trigger and regulate electrical impulses in the heart and low levels of magnesium and potassium can lead to an electrolyte imbalance, which can contribute to arrhythmia.
Passing hard stools is usually as a result of constipation or the infrequent movement of the bowels. Most healthy people have at least three bowel movements per week, according to MedlinePlus. If you are unable to have a bowel movement or are having difficulty passing stool, contact your doctor.
There are many causes of loose stools, from dietary factors such as lactose intolerance, to bacterial infections to certain diseases. Photo Credit Chris Warren/iStock/Getty Images. The colon normally absorbs the majority of water in fecal material, leaving soft, solid stool. Dietary intake, infections and digestive disorders can lead to increased water in expelled feces, or loose stools. The content of ingested foods and intestinal infections often cause transient episodes of diarrhea. Digestive disorders often underlie chronically loose stools.