hypokalemia symptoms
Hypokalemia Symptoms
It is difficult to detect hypokalemia at an early stage because of the lack of symptoms. As this condition progresses, the symptoms keep on getting prominent. This article provides some information on the same.
- Insufficient consumption of potassium is one of its major causes.
- Excessive loss of fluid through vomiting, perspiration, and diarrhea that flushes out potassium from the body.
- Various laxatives and thiazide diuretics, such as furosemide and hydrochlorothiazide, increase the chances of its occurrence.
- Medicines with antifungal properties help in causing hypokalemia.
- A disease called diabetic ketoacidosis involves polyuria and volume contraction, which in turn involves loss of potassium from the kidney tubules, as potassium is present in the body as cations, and therefore it easily binds with the negatively charged ketones. Thus, hypokalemia is generally found to occur with diabetic ketoacidosis.
- Magnesium is an important constituent for the adequate processing of potassium. Low level of magnesium in the body or hypomagnesemia can lead to hypokalemia.
- Genetic disorders, such as Bartter syndrome or Gitelman syndrome, involves defective renal salt disorder. These diseases often lead to hypokalemia by following a manner similar to diuretics.
- Alkalosis or low hydrogen ion concentration of the blood or other tissues can cause a shift of potassium from the plasma and interstitial fluids into cells. It may be mediated by stimulation of sodium-hydrogen cation exchange and an accompanying activation of sodium and potassium cations - ATPase activity. In this manner, alkalosis eventually leads to hypokalemia.
- Confusion
- Disorientation
- Weakness
- Decrease in muscle strength
- Discomfort of muscles
- Occurrence of muscle cramps on exercising
- Discomfort in the legs while sitting still
- Uncomfortable positioning of the legs and stomping of the feet on the floor
- Decrease in tendon reflexes
- Hypotension
- Changes in mental status such as lethargy
- Depression
- Psychosis
- Constipation
- Cramps in the abdomen
- Thirst
- Fatigue
- Potassium deficiency increases hypertension risks
- Ventricular arrhythmia, which can even lead to cardiac arrest
- Bradycardia or tachycardia
- Appearance of Cushingoid
- Reduction of intestinal movements, or paralytic ileus
- Respiratory disorders
- Nocturia or polydipsia
- Paresthesias
- Occasional flaccid paralysis
- Extreme weakness
- Increase the intake of foods high in potassium. These are sweet potato, potato, tomato, beans, soybean, lentils, yogurt, low-fat milk, bananas, peaches, prunes, apricots, spinach, and fish like tuna, halibut, and rock fish.
- Add a potassium supplement to the daily diet.
- Compensate the loss of potassium after heavy exercising and perspiration by drinking sports drinks as they contain electrolytes.