Hypokalemia
What is it?
Hypokalemia is a low level of potassium in the
blood. Potassium is an electrolyte that is
important to the function of the nerve and muscle
cells, including the heart. (May also be spelled
hypokalaemia.)
Who gets it?
Hypokalemia is most common in people with
diseases that affect kidney function, people who
take diuretics, and people with eating disorders.
What causes it?
Most of the body’s potassium is stored inside
various cells and organs, with only a small amount
found in the blood. The body maintains a balance
of potassium in the blood by matching the amount
of potassium taken in with the amount excreted
(put out) by the kidneys. Hypokalemia occurs when
the body releases too much potassium, such as
through severe vomiting, diarrhea, or sweating
during intense exercise. It also can be caused by
a disease that affects kidney function – the
kidneys may excrete too much potassium, or may not
be able to match their output to the body’s
potassium intake. Diseases that can cause
hypokalemia include Liddle’s syndrome, Cushing’s
syndrome, Fanconi’s syndrome, and Bartter’s
syndrome. Certain drugs called diuretics increase
the body’s urine output, which can also cause
hypokalemia. Hypokalemia can be caused by overuse
of laxatives; by eating disorders such as bulimia,
which involves self-induced vomiting; and by
prolonged fasting and starvation. Although it is
less likely, hypokalemia can also be caused by not
eating enough foods that contain potassium, and by
eating too much licorice.
What are the symptoms?
Symptoms of hypokalemia include irregular
heartbeat, which can range from mild to severe.
Severe cases can result in cardiac arrest and
paralysis of the lungs. Other symptoms can include
muscle weakness, cramping, or flaccid paralysis
(limpness); leg discomfort; extreme thirst;
frequent urination; and confusion. Infants and
young children with gastrointestinal illnesses
that cause prolonged vomiting and diarrhea can die
from cardiac arrest when potassium levels become
dangerously low.
How is it diagnosed?
Hypokalemia is diagnosed by measuring the
potassium levels in a blood sample. Normal blood
potassium levels are 3.5 to 5.0 milliequivalents
per liter (mEq/L) of blood. A patient with
hypokalemia will have a blood potassium level
lower than 3.5 mEq/L. To determine the cause of
hypokalemia, your doctor may also check potassium
levels in a urine sample. The doctor may also
order a test called an electrocardiogram (ECG or
EKG), which measures the electrical activity of
the heart.
What is the treatment?
Sever hypokalemia is treated in a hospital with
intravenous (IV) potassium. In most cases,
however, this condition can be treated by
increasing the amounts of potassium-rich foods in
the diet, drinking electrolyte replacement fluids
during intense exercise or for severe vomiting or
diarrhea, or by taking a potassium supplement in a
dosage recommended by your doctor. It is important
to have the potassium levels in the blood checked
regularly if you are taking diuretics or other
medications that affect potassium.
Self-care tips
If you have a disease that affects kidney
function or are taking drugs that affect how much
potassium the kidneys release, it is important to
eat foods that are high in potassium. Potassium is
found in many foods such as bananas, oranges,
tomatoes, spinach and other green leafy
vegetables, melons, peas and beans, and potatoes.
If your infant or child experiences severe
vomiting or diarrhea, call your doctor immediately
and follow his or her recommendations for
treatment to avoid hypokalemia.
This information has been designed as a comprehensive and quick reference
guide written by our health care reviewers. The health information written
by our authors is intended to be a supplement to the care provided by your
physician. It is not intended nor implied to be a substitute for
professional medical advice.
|
