Index
What is it?
It is a metabolic imbalance characterized by deficient levels of potassium in the blood. The body needs potassium to contract muscles (including the heart) and the functioning of many complex proteins called enzymes.
Hypokalemia is also known as hypokalemia or hypokalemia.
Potassium is found mainly in skeletal muscle and bone, and it participates with sodium to contribute to the normal flow of bodily fluids between cells in the body.
The kidneys regulate the average potassium concentration in the body through the excretion of urine.
When the kidneys are functioning normally, the amount of potassium in the diet is sufficient for use by the body, and the excess is excreted, usually through urine and sweat.
The body’s chemicals and hormones, such as aldosterone, regulate potassium balance.
When hypokalemia occurs, there is an imbalance resulting from dysfunction in this normal process or rapid loss of urine or sweat without replacement of sufficient potassium.
Signs and symptoms
Hypokalemia is asymptomatic, that is, without apparent signs of the disease. However, the symptoms of hypokalemia can include attacks of severe muscle weakness, which eventually lead to paralysis and respiratory failure.
Muscle malfunction can lead to bowel paralysis, low blood pressure, muscle spasms, and mineral deficiencies such as tetany.
Hypokalemia can also affect the ability of the kidneys to concentrate urine, resulting in excess urine (polyuria) and excessive thirst (polydipsia).
Other symptoms may include loss of appetite, nausea, and vomiting. There may also be heart irregularities seen in electrocardiographic changes, confusion, distension of the abdomen, and decreased mental activity.
Causes
It occurs due to excessive potassium loss through urine, sweat, or feces. It is always a symptom of another disorder rather than a disease that happens by itself.
Excessive excretion of potassium in the urine can result from diuretic drugs, a deficiency of magnesium in the blood, kidney disorders, or high doses of penicillin.
Gastrointestinal losses of potassium are usually due to diarrhea or vomiting, chronic abuse of laxatives, inadequate potassium intake, intestinal obstruction, or infections such as fistulas in the intestine that continuously drain intestinal fluids.
In addition, excessive perspiration due to heat or exercise can cause hypokalemia.
Tests and exams
Blood test to check potassium levels. Also, other blood tests may be performed to verify glucose, magnesium, calcium, sodium, phosphorus, thyroid hormone, and aldosterone levels. An electrocardiogram (ECG) is sometimes performed to control the heart.
Treatment
If the condition is mild, the doctor may prescribe oral potassium pills. In contrast, if the hypokalemia is severe, you may need to administer potassium intravenously.
Similarly, consuming potassium-rich foods can help treat and prevent low potassium levels. Some of these foods can be:
- Avocados
- Baked potato.
- Bananas
- Saved.
- Carrots
- Cooked lean meat.
- Milk.
