Hypokalemia Signs and Symptoms

Our body consists of a certain level of potassium which can be found within the cells of our body. Although present in a small amount in the serum part of our blood stream, a little change in the level of the potassium can cause various health problems or even death. The main function of the potassium is to maintain the electrical potentiality of the cell, to help in the contraction of muscles, maintaining the blood pressure level and also keeping the heart in good condition. The normal level of potassium in the human body is usually 3.5 to 5.0 mEq/liter. The kidneys are mainly responsible for getting rid of the excess potassium in the body. If by chance, excess potassium is passed out then the person suffers from hypokalemia. This term has been derived from the Latin word hypo which means 'low', kal which means 'potassium' and emia which means 'in the blood'. It's important that you know what are the various hypokalemia signs and symptoms, so that you can start off with the treatments immediately. Given below are some of hypokalemia symptoms which will help you to learn more about this problem.

Hypokalemia: Causes
Before going into the details of hypokalemia signs and symptoms, let us first learn about its causes briefly. There are two main regions in the human body from where potassium can be lost; the kidneys and the gastrointestinal tract. The various causes of loss of potassium are:

• Diarrhea
• Use of too much of laxatives
• Vomiting
• Cushing's Syndrome
• Anemia
• Influenza
• Anorexia or starvation
• Renal failure
• Excessive sweating for a long period of time.

These were some of the causes of low potassium or hypokalemia. Let us now see some of the hypokalemia symptoms in children as well as in adults.

Hypokalemia: Signs and Symptoms
If a person suffers from low potassium level in the body, then it can be life-threatening if proper treatment is not given immediately. Given below are some of the common signs and symptoms of hypokalemia.

• Muscle cramps
• Weakness in muscles
• Fatigue
• Problems in digestion and constipation
• Excessive thirst as the body gets dehydrated
• Hypotension
• Dysrhythmias or abnormal heart rate
• Paralysis which might sometimes include the lungs too
• Stomach cramps and bloating of stomach
• Passing out of excessive urine
• Low blood pressure due to which the person might even faint
• Depression and hallucination
• Vomiting and nauseating feeling
• Irritability
• Rhabdomyolysis were the skeletal muscles breaks down
• Numbness in various parts of the body or tingling sensation
• Intestinal movements reduces
• If the level goes extremely low, then cardiac arrest might also take place
• Discomfort in the leg while sitting for a long time
• Dry skin
• Edema
• Lack of proper sleep or insomnia
• High level of cholesterol
• Severe headache
• Growth of the person is affected
• Body retains salt to a large extent
• Chills

These are the main hypokalemia signs and symptoms that you should be aware of. Let us now learn about the treatment of potassium deficiency or hypokalemia. Given below is some information on the treatment of this deficiency.

Hypokalemia: Treatments
When the patient shows the hypokalemia symptoms, medical attention should be given immediately, because if the level of potassium goes really low, it could prove to be fatal. For a mild fall in the level, the person should be given potassium supplements, orally. There are also some high potassium food that you can try out in order to make up for the loss. The supplements that the doctor gives you, can be in the form of pills of potassium chloride, or maybe potassium acetate or potassium bicarbonate. During emergency situations, i.e. when the potassium level goes really down, then the patient is put on a cardiac monitor. Visit the doctor immediately even for mild cases of hypokalemia.

Thus, these were the various hypokalemia signs and symptoms, as well as the various causes and treatments for this problem. A well-balanced diet, rich in potassium should be taken in order to avoid this kind of a problem. Visit the doctor if you show the symptoms and strictly follow what they say.