Hypokalemia

Hypokalemia refers to the condition in which the concentration of potassium in the blood is low. Potassium is needed for cells, especially nerve and muscle cells, to function properly. You get potassium through food. The kidneys remove excess potassium in the urine to keep a proper balance of the mineral in the body.

Symptoms

Mild hypokalemia is often without symptoms, although it may cause a small elevation of blood pressure. However, a big drop in the potassium level can be life threatening. Symptoms of hypokalemia include:

• Abnormal heart rhythms (dysrhythmias), especially in people with heart disease
• Breakdown of muscle fibers (rhabdomyolysis)
• Constipation (from disturbed function of smooth muscles)
• Muscle weakness or spasms (owing to disturbed function of the skeletal muscles)
• Fatigue
• Paralysis (which can include the lungs)

Causes

Possible causes of hypokalemia include:

• Inadequate potassium intake (that is, a low-potassium diet). However, without excessive potassium loss from the body, this is a rare cause of hypokalemia.
• A more common cause is excessive loss of potassium, often associated with heavy fluid losses that "flush" potassium out of the body. Typically, this is a consequence of vomiting, diarrhea, excessive perspiration, or losses associated with surgical procedures.
• Certain drugs, called diuretics, that can cause excess urination.
• Certain antibiotics (carbenicillin, gentamicin, amphotericin B).
• Diseases that affect the kidney's ability to retain potassium (for example, Liddle syndrome, Cushing syndrome, hyperaldosteronism, Bartter syndrome, Fanconi syndrome).

Treatment

Mild hypokalemia can be treated by taking potassium supplements by mouth. Persons with more severe cases may need to get potassium through a vein (intravenously).

Eating a diet rich in potassium can help prevent hypokalemia. Foods high in potassium include: Bananas, bran, brussels sprouts, granola, kiwi, milk, oranges, peaches, tomatoes, peas and beans