Hypokalemia – What is it, Causes, Symptoms and Treatments!
Hypokalemia – What it is, Causes, Symptoms and Treatments of this condition. Also, hypokalemia occurs when potassium levels in the blood are too low. Potassium is an important electrolyte for nerve and muscle cell function, especially for muscle cells in the heart . Your kidneys control your body’s potassium levels , allowing excess potassium to leave the body through urine or sweat.
Hypokalemia is also called:
News of the week:
- hypokalemic syndrome
- low syndrome
- hypokalemia syndrome
Mild hypokalemia causes no symptoms. In some cases, low potassium levels can cause arrhythmia, or abnormal heart rhythms, as well as severe muscle weakness . But these symptoms often recur after treatment. Learn what it means to have Hypokalemia and how to treat this condition.
Causes of Hypokalemia: You can lose potassium through urine, sweat, or bowel movements. Inadequate potassium intake and low magnesium levels can result in Hypokalemia . Most of the time, hypokalemia is a symptom or side effect of other conditions and medications.
These include:
- Bartter syndrome, a rare genetic kidney disease that causes an imbalance of salt and potassium
- Gitelman syndrome, a rare genetic kidney disease that causes an imbalance of ions in the body
- Liddle syndrome, a rare disease that causes high blood pressure and hypokalemia
- Cushing’s syndrome, a rare condition due to long-term exposure to cortisol
- Consuming substances like bentonite (clay) or glycyrrhizin (in natural licorice and chewing tobacco)
- Potassium-losing diuretics , such as thiazide, loop, and osmotic diuretics
- Prolonged use of laxatives
- High doses of penicillin
- diabetic ketoacidosis
- Dilution due to IV fluid administration
- magnesium deficiency
- adrenal gland problems
- malnutrition
- malabsorption
- hyperthyroidism
- Renal tubular acidosis types I and 2
- Catecholamine spike, as with a heart attack
- Drugs such as insulin and beta 2 agonists used for COPD and asthma
- barium poisoning
- familial hypokalemia
Symptoms of Hypokalemia: Patients are often asymptomatic, particularly those withmild hypokalemia . The symptoms that are present are often the underlying cause of the Hypokalemia rather than the Hypokalemia itself. Symptoms of Hypokalemia are nonspecific and are predominantly related to muscle or cardiac function. Complaints may include the following:
- weakness and fatigue (most common)
- Muscle cramps and pain (severe cases)
- Poor control of diabetes or polyuria
- Palpitations
Psychological symptoms (eg, psychosis, delusion, hallucinations, depression)
Physical findings are generally within the reference range. Abnormal findings may reflect the underlying disorder.
Severe hypokalemia may manifest as bradycardia with cardiovascular collapse. Cardiac arrhythmias and acute respiratory failure from muscle paralysis are life-threatening complications that require prompt diagnosis.
Diagnosis of Hypokalemia: In most cases, the cause of Hypokalemia is evident from the history and physical examination. First-line studies include a urine measurement of potassium , a serum magnesium assay, and an electrocardiogram (ECG).
Treatments for Hypokalemia: Someone who has hypokalemia and shows symptoms will require hospitalization. They will also need heart monitoring to ensure their heart rhythm is normal. Treating hypokalemia in the hospital requires a multi-step approach:
Removing Causes: After identifying the underlying cause, your doctor will prescribe the appropriate treatment. For example, your doctor may prescribe medication to reduce diarrhea or vomiting or change your medication.
Restore Potassium Levels: You can take potassium supplements to restore low potassium levels . But correcting potassium levels too quickly can cause unwanted side effects like abnormal heart rhythms. In cases of dangerous potassium levels , you may need an IV drip for controlled potassium intake.
Monitor Levels During Hospitalization: At the hospital, a doctor or nurse will check your levels to make sure your potassium levels do not reverse and cause hyperkalemia. High potassium levels can also cause serious complications.
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After you leave the hospital, your doctor may recommend a high- potassium diet . If you must take potassium supplements , take them with plenty of fluids and with or after your meals. You may also need magnesium supplements, as magnesium loss can occur with potassium loss .