Low Potassium is a Common Ailment Among Many People

Potassium is an essential mineral with several roles in the body. It plays a significant role in nerve and muscle function, normal blood pressure, optimum heart performance, and stable blood glucose levels. Potassium also balances sodium ions and helps maintain fluid balance within the body. If you have low potassium or hypokalemia, your body does not have enough of this vital mineral. Potassium deficiency is uncommon but can occur in some situations. The most common cause is excessive vomiting or diarrhea from disease or infection. Other potential causes include excessive sweating, dehydration, an unbalanced diet, or restricted intake of high-potassium foods like fruits and vegetables. This article covers everything you need to know about low potassium, risks, potential complications, and its treatment.

Signs and Symptoms of Low Potassium

The signs and symptoms of low potassium can vary depending on the cause of the hypokalemia. Common signs and symptoms of hypokalemia include:

• Fatigue - A key symptom of hypokalemia is fatigue, which can be mistaken for depression, fibromyalgia, or chronic fatigue syndrome. However, these conditions are different from hypokalemia and respond to other treatments.
• Muscle weakness - Muscles fatigue quickly and can feel heavy, achy, and crampy. Weak muscles can affect any body part, including the hands, feet, and muscles used for breathing.
• Palpitations or irregular heart rate can cause palpitations, extra or unusual heartbeats, fainting, or other abnormal heart sensations.
• Seizures - Potassium levels are critical to controlling nerve impulses. Seizures are caused by a sudden and abnormal surge of electrical impulses in the brain.

Risks of Low Potassium

The risks of low potassium are generally related to the symptoms outlined above. Potassium deficiency can be dangerous, particularly for people with kidney disease, diabetes, and other chronic health conditions. Potassium deficiency symptoms can worsen other illnesses, such as heart disease, diabetes, kidney disease, and digestive disorders. In some cases, low potassium may be an early sign of a severe and life-threatening condition. If left untreated, low potassium can cause heart problems, muscle weakness, and even death. Hypokalemia can also raise your blood pressure, increasing your risk of heart attack or stroke. It can also cause abnormal heart rhythms, gastrointestinal issues, and kidney damage.

Potential Complications of Low Potassium

Potential complications of low potassium are directly related to the symptoms outlined above.

• If left untreated, low potassium symptoms can worsen and potentially cause serious complications
• Potassium is critical to maintaining healthy kidney function
• Low potassium can cause irregular heart rhythms, heart palpitations, and sudden cardiac arrest
• Symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain can become severe enough to require hospitalization
• Potassium plays an essential role in nerve function
• Irregular heart rhythms can cause blood pressure to rise, increasing the risk of heart attack or stroke

Treatment for Low Potassium

Several factors determine the best course of treatment for low potassium. Your doctor will assess your symptoms and medical history and perform a physical exam to determine the cause of the hypokalemia.

If you have low potassium caused by vomiting or diarrhea, treatment focuses on managing the symptoms. If the cause is excessive sweating, you may be given an electrolyte solution intravenously.

Potassium supplements are commonly given to patients with chronic kidney disease or diabetes who are at increased risk for low potassium. Oral potassium in the form of a supplement may be given in smaller doses.