What are the clinical symptoms of hypokalemia?
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Topic Resources In hypokalemia, the level of potassium in blood is too low. A low potassium level has many causes but usually results from vomiting, diarrhea, adrenal gland disorders, or use of diuretics. A low potassium level can make muscles feel weak, cramp, twitch, or even become paralyzed, and abnormal heart rhythms may develop. The diagnosis is based on blood tests to measure the potassium level. Usually, eating foods rich in potassium or taking potassium supplements by mouth is all that is needed.
Typically, the potassium level becomes low because too much is lost from the digestive tract due to vomiting, diarrhea, or excessive laxative use. Sometimes too much potassium is excreted in urine, usually because of drugs that cause the kidneys to excrete excess sodium, water, and potassium (diuretics). Certain drugs (such as insulin, albuterol, and terbutaline) cause more potassium to move from blood into cells and can result in hypokalemia. However, these drugs usually cause temporary hypokalemia, unless another condition is also causing potassium to be lost. Hypokalemia is rarely caused by consuming too little potassium because many foods (such as beans, dark leafy greens, potatoes, fish, and bananas) contain potassium.  A slight decrease in the potassium level in blood usually causes no symptoms. A larger decrease can cause muscle weakness, cramping, twitches, and even paralysis. If hypokalemia lasts for an extended time, kidney problems may develop, causing the person to urinate frequently and drink large amounts of water.
The diagnosis is made by measuring a low potassium level in the blood. Doctors then try to identify what is causing the potassium level to decrease. The cause may be clear based on the person’s symptoms (such as vomiting) or use of drugs or other substances. If the cause is not clear, doctors measure how much potassium is excreted in urine to determine whether excess excretion is the cause.
If a disorder is causing hypokalemia, it is treated. Usually, potassium can be replaced by taking potassium supplements by mouth. Because potassium can irritate the digestive tract, supplements should be taken in small doses with food several times a day rather than in a single large dose. Special types of potassium supplements, such as wax-impregnated or microencapsulated potassium chloride, are much less likely to irritate the digestive tract. To treat hypokalemia more rapidly, potassium is given by vein (intravenously) in the following situations:
Most people who take diuretics do not need to take potassium supplements. Nevertheless, doctors periodically check the potassium level in blood so that supplements can be given if necessary. Alternatively, diuretics that help the kidneys conserve potassium (potassium-sparing diuretics), such as amiloride, eplerenone, spironolactone, or triamterene can be used, but these drugs are used only if the kidneys are functioning normally. CLICK HERE FOR THE PROFESSIONAL VERSION Copyright © 2022 Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, NJ, USA and its affiliates. All rights reserved. In most cases, low potassium is found by a blood test that is done because of an illness, or because you are taking diuretics. It is rare for low potassium to cause isolated symptoms such as muscle cramps if you are feeling well in other respects. Low potassium symptoms may include:
Abnormal heart rhythms (arrhythmias) are the most worrisome complication of very low potassium levels, particularly in people with underlying heart disease. Talk to your doctor about what your blood test results mean. You may need to change a medication that's affecting your potassium level, or you may need to treat another medical condition that's causing your low potassium level. Treatment of low potassium is directed at the underlying cause and may include potassium supplements. Don't start taking potassium supplements without talking to your doctor first. Sign up for free, and stay up to date on research advancements, health tips and current health topics, like COVID-19, plus expertise on managing health. To provide you with the most relevant and helpful information, and
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. What are some clinical signs of hypokalemia?Common symptoms include the following:. Palpitations.. Skeletal muscle weakness or cramping.. Paralysis, paresthesias.. Constipation.. Nausea or vomiting.. Abdominal cramping.. Polyuria, nocturia, or polydipsia.. Psychosis, delirium, or hallucinations.. What are the clinical symptoms of hyperkalemia?If hyperkalemia comes on suddenly and you have very high levels of potassium, you may feel heart palpitations, shortness of breath, chest pain, nausea, or vomiting. Sudden or severe hyperkalemia is a life-threatening condition. It requires immediate medical care.
What are 3 causes of hypokalemia?Vomiting, diarrhea or both also can result in excessive potassium loss from the digestive tract.. Alcohol use (excessive). Chronic kidney disease.. Diabetic ketoacidosis.. Diarrhea.. Diuretics (water retention relievers). Excessive laxative use.. Excessive sweating.. Folic acid deficiency.. What is the most common cause of hypokalemia?The most common cause is excess loss from the kidneys or gastrointestinal tract. Clinical features include muscle weakness and polyuria; cardiac hyperexcitability may occur with severe hypokalemia. Diagnosis is by serum measurement.
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