Lack Of Potassium In The Body Symptoms – Low Potassium levels can cause irregular heartbeats, muscle weakness, and even paralysis. That’s everything you want to know.

Potassium is an important electrolyte in the body and is responsible for muscle, nerve and heart function. Extremely low levels of potassium, called hypokalemia, can have dangerous consequences, as a person may even feel too weak to move, become paralyzed, faint, or have an irregular heartbeat. Low Potassium Levels can be caused by vomiting, diarrhea, or using laxatives, and certain medications commonly used to treat high blood pressure (such as diuretics) can also eliminate potassium and excess sodium and water from the urine. (Also Read: 5 Amazing Salt Substitutes That Reduce Heart Disease Risk and Add Flavor to Food)

Lack Of Potassium In The Body Symptoms

Hypokalemia is when the level of potassium in the blood is too low. Normal levels of potassium range from 3.5 to 5.2 mEq/L (3.5 to 5.2 mmol/L). Any value below 3 mEq/L (3 mmol/L) is considered severe hypokalemia. Although mild hypokalemia is asymptomatic, if potassium levels are dangerously low, you must seek medical attention.

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“Low potassium levels, also known as hypokalemia, occur when potassium levels in the serum fall below the normal range of 3.5-5 meq/l. Potassium is one of the main electrolytes in the body and is essential for maintaining good health There is a direct effect. Dr. Kamal Verma, senior consultant, Department of Internal Medicine, Amrita Hospital, said: “Normal functioning of cardiac muscle, skeletal muscle and intestinal activity. Low potassium levels can cause these disorders because of its role in normal cell function. “Faridabad.

“Significantly low potassium levels, especially in people with heart disease, may cause irregular heartbeats. This may cause you to feel dizzy or weak. Low potassium levels may even cause your heart to stop beating. Potassium is required to keep the heart functioning properly Necessary for your muscles, neurons, and heart to function properly. Potassium is also needed for a healthy digestive system and bone health. Potassium deficiency can impair these important physical activities. Low potassium levels in the body can lead to irregular heartbeats, muscle weakness, and even paralysis over time,” Dr Puneet Bhuwania, consultant nephrologist and transplant physician at Wockhardt Hospital, Mira Road.

The signs and symptoms of hypokalemia depend on the severity of the hypokalemia. Mild cases are usually asymptomatic when potassium levels are 3-3.5 meq/l, or unless the patient is older or has other significant medical problems such as chronic kidney disease or heart failure. Symptoms usually develop once serum K levels fall below 3.0 meq/l.

Acute diarrhea, persistent or repeated vomiting, excessive losses through the kidneys, medications – diuretics (often used to treat high blood pressure and heart failure), excessive use of laxatives to treat constipation.

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Newsletters, Alerts and Recommendations Get personalized news and exciting offers Bookmark the stories you want to read later Hypokalemia is the main indication for potassium supplementation. However, people with other medical conditions may also benefit from supplementing with this element. Swelling in the legs, persistent drowsiness, headaches, shakiness in the calves or thighs, mood swings, and irregular heartbeats may mean you’re not getting enough potassium in your diet.

Potassium is one of the most important elements in the body. As an electrolyte, its job is to maintain the correct voltage across cell membranes and transmit electrical impulses between cells. This means it controls the work of muscles, including the heart, and is responsible for each heartbeat. It is also responsible for the correct muscle building process and muscle mass by participating in the building process of amino acids and proteins, and due to the antagonistic effect of magnesium, it is also responsible for proper muscle tone.

Potassium also helps eliminate excess fluid from the body, which is especially important when sodium intake is too high (as is the case in modern society), as excess sodium can lead to fluid retention and edema in the extremities. As a sodium antagonist, potassium regulates water volume and reduces swelling while lowering blood pressure. By controlling water and acid-base balance, it helps maintain homeostasis throughout the body.

Absorption of potassium occurs in the small intestine, and the primary organ responsible for maintaining constant concentrations is the kidneys. Only 8% of potassium is excreted through the digestive tract. However, this value is increased in patients with renal failure. Excretion of too much potassium from the body can lead to a deficiency, known as hypokalemia.

Potassium Disorders: Hypokalemia And Hyperkalemia

Symptoms of severe potassium deficiency appear only when the concentration of this element drops significantly, and disappear relatively quickly when levels are restored. However, milder potassium deficiency can also cause unpleasant ailments such as general fatigue, water retention, swelling of the limbs, spontaneous tremors of the thighs or calves, and headaches.

Older adults are at increased risk for severe potassium deficiency, primarily due to inadequate potassium intake, increased gastrointestinal potassium losses, and frequent use of medications that increase potassium excretion.

, the recommended daily potassium intake is at least 4,700 mg and 5,100 mg for breastfeeding women. Potassium is found in many foods. It is found in almost all types of meat – white and red meat, as well as fish and vegetables. Good sources include broccoli, spinach, legumes (peas and beans) as well as potatoes (mainly skins), tomatoes and squash. Potassium is also found in fruits such as bananas, kiwis, citrus, plums, and apricots (higher amounts are found in dried apricots). Milk, yogurt and nuts also contain potassium.

Unfortunately, it is known that for various reasons, including due to disease, nutrients may not be fully absorbed from food, or the food itself may be too low in nutrients to meet needs. Establishing optimal eating habits is not easy. For example, the potassium content in the diets of people with hypertension can only provide about 70% of the RDI on average, due to insufficient intake of vegetables and fruits. Therefore, if increased potassium supply is needed, supplementation should be considered.

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The first thing to do is to determine the amount of potassium in your body. The results of an elemental hair analysis (EHA) can provide information about whether your system has a deficiency, excess, or normal potassium levels. The results reflect the concentration of potassium in the body, and the levels of the remaining 28 elements suggest possible causes of potassium deficiency and provide valuable help in selecting the right treatments and supplements. Results showing severe potassium deficiency require further targeted diagnosis.

Hypokalemia requires potassium supplementation. It should also be considered in persons at risk for potassium deficiency (without hypokalemia). High-risk groups include older adults and people with high blood pressure, arrhythmias, post-stroke, kidney stones or osteoporosis.

Some research results show that increasing potassium intake is beneficial to adults with hypertension. Studies show that lower systolic and diastolic blood pressure reduce the risk of stroke by an average of 24%. At the same time, no adverse effects of increased potassium intake on renal function were observed.

In animal studies, a reduced risk of thrombosis due to increased potassium supply and reduced urinary calcium excretion were also observed. Research also shows that patients who excrete more potassium have a lower risk of enlarging urinary stones. Reduced calcium excretion in people with high potassium intake is also a reason for the reduced risk of osteoporosis.

Signs And Symptoms Of Potassium Deficiency (hypokalemia)

Determining the type of potassium supplement requires an individualized approach, taking into account the condition of the body organs responsible for regulating this element. Currently, the most commonly used forms of potassium (potassium chloride) are tablets or capsules. However, liquid forms of supplements are most easily absorbed by the body. When choosing a product, pay attention to the potassium content.

Factors that require special attention during potassium supplementation include, but are not limited to, prolonged bedridden, low fluid intake, dysphagia, gastroparesis, and medications. Potassium products should be taken with at least 100 ml of room temperature water after a meal and while standing or sitting for approximately 10 minutes.

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