Low Potassium

For the muscle and nerve cells to be in the optimum state and functioning properly, potassium is one of the most essential nutrients required by the body. In healthy people, the normal potassium level comes up to about 3.6 to 4.8 mEq/L (milliequivalents per liter). And the daily intake has to come around 70-100 mEq (270 to 390 mg/dl), which again, is the amount which is eliminated by the kidneys everyday. However, due to certain reasons, if the kidneys remove more than this amount, the body then faces a dearth in the potassium levels. This is when hypokalemia occurs, and the measure drops down to lower than 2.5 mEq/L. As we read more of this article, we would come to know about the symptoms which occur in the condition of low potassium, the factors which causes it and the treatment options for dealing with it.

Symptoms of Low Potassium Levels

To begin with the early signs and symptoms of low potassium, they include weakness and fatigue. These symptoms can be felt without any apparent reason, which could be strenuous activity, exercise, etc. People may feel tiresome even after sitting in their couch or chair the whole day. Occurrence of muscle cramps also happen to be one of the common side effects of low potassium in the body. Then comes constipation which is a digestive disorder. Some people have experienced episodes of muscle contractions in the heart that take place in an abnormal rate. This condition is referred to as arrhythmias. Low potassium levels in the body may also give rise to fainting, hallucination attacks, numbness in the body, breakdown of muscle fibers, paralysis, vomiting and nausea. Abdominal cramps and depression, confusion, may also crop up as the signs of low potassium.

The condition is usually detected by routine blood tests which may be actually done to diagnose some other medical condition which the patient might already be suffering from. The diagnosis of the condition is confirmed with the help of tests which include electrocardiogram, arterial blood gas and creatinine levels in the body. Apart from these, experts may conduct tests to check glucose, magnesium, calcium, phosphorous levels in the body.

Causes of Low Potassium Levels

Experts have identified a few medical disorders which seem to have association with the above symptoms. Ergo, these conditions may be considered to contribute in the development of hypokalemia. These include administration of water pills, eating disorders (like bulimia) and overuse of laxatives. Kidney disease is also one important cause of low potassium as it might affect the organ's ability to retain the nutrient. Common examples include Cushing's syndrome, Liddle's syndrome, etc. A condition of the adrenal gland known as aldosteronism, is also known to cause the dearth in potassium levels in the body. In very rare cases, a low potassium diet becomes an offender for causing the condition of hypokalemia.

Treatment for Low Potassium Level

After lab tests confirm the condition of low potassium in the affected individual, doctors initiate what is known as potassium replacement therapy. For people with less or no symptoms at all, the potassium is provided in a pill or liquid form. The same method may involve the use of intravenous line, if the symptoms seem to be severe.

Prevention of a condition such as low potassium level in the body is not difficult, unless, proper measures are followed. One of the best ways to do it is to include potassium rich foods in the diet. Doctors recommend foods such as bananas, bran, Brussels sprouts, tomatoes, granola, kiwi, lima beans, milk, oranges, peaches, cantaloupe, strawberries, greens, mushrooms, peas, peanut butter, beef, fish, and turkey, etc. And as you already know what may cause the condition, avoiding them would help to minimize the risk of developing the condition. For instance, too much use of laxatives can cause the potassium level to go down in the body. Hence, it is wise if this practice is avoided.