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The heart, muscles, and neurons all depend on potassium, a crucial electrolyte in the body. Hypokalaemia, or extremely low potassium levels, can have serious effects because a person may feel too weak to move, have paralysis, faint, or have irregular heartbeats. Low potassium levels can result from vomiting, diarrhea, or the use of laxatives, while other conditions and medications, such as diuretics, which are frequently prescribed to treat high blood pressure, can cause potassium to be excreted along with excess sodium and water in the urine.
The blood’s potassium level is too low in hypokalaemia. The range of potassium concentrations considered normal is 3.5 to 5.2 mEq/L (3.5 to 5.2 mmol/L). Any value below 3 mEq/L (3 mmol/L) is regarded as severe hypokalaemia. While moderate occurrences of hypokalaemia are asymptomatic, one must seek medical assistance if their potassium levels are dangerously low.
Symptoms of low potassium
The severity of hypokalemia determines the signs and symptoms of low potassium. When potassium levels are between 3 and 3.5 meq/l, mild cases are typically asymptomatic, unless the patient is elderly or has another serious medical condition such chronic kidney disease or heart failure. Once serum K levels fall below 3.0 meq/l, symptoms frequently start to manifest.
Hypokalemia’s signs and symptoms include:
– Neurological: Leg weakness, especially in the lower limbs, and muscle cramping; these symptoms can resemble paralysis.
– Digestive system: Constipation, bloating, nausea, and vomiting.
– Myalgia and generalized fatigability
– Cardiac: Low blood pressure and palpitations brought on by ventricular and atrial arrhythmias, which cause irregular heartbeats.
– Weakness in the respiratory muscles and, in extreme situations, respiratory failure.
Causes of low potassium levels
Reduced intake, which is typically less likely to observe, for example, in situations like starvation and prolonged fasting.
Severe diarrhea, chronic or repeated vomiting, excessive renal loss, the use of excessive amounts of laxatives to address constipation, and drugs called diuretics (which are frequently prescribed to treat hypertension and heart failure).
Excessive sweating, especially after engaging in strenuous exercise in a hot environment.
Treatment for hypokalemia
• A potassium-rich diet that includes foods like bananas, oranges, green leafy vegetables, potatoes, and kiwis; oral potassium supplements as recommended by a doctor; and—depending on how serious the hypokalemia is—possibly hospitalization for the patient.
