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Hypokalemia is a lower-than-normal amount of potassium in the blood.
Alternative NamesPotassium - low; Low blood potassium
Causes, incidence, and risk factorsPotassium 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.
Hypokalemia is a metabolic disorder that occurs when the level of potassium in the blood drops too low.
Possible causes of hypokalemia include:
- Certain antibiotics (carbenicillin, gentamicin, amphotericin B)
- Certain drugs, called diuretics, that can cause excess urination
- Diarrhea (including the use of too many laxatives, which can cause diarrhea)
- Diseases that affect the kidney's ability to retain potassium (for example, Liddle syndrome, Cushing syndrome, hyperaldosteronism, Bartter syndrome, Fanconi syndrome)
- Eating disorders (such as bulimia)
- Eating large amounts of licorice or using products such as herbal teas and chewing tobaccos that contain licorice made with glycyrrhetinic acid (this substance is no longer used in licorice made in the United States)
- Sweating
- Vomiting
A small drop in potassium usually doesn't cause symptoms. However, a big drop in the 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
- Fatigue
- Muscle weakness or spasms
- Paralysis (which can include the lungs)
Your health care provider will take a sample of your blood to check potassium levels.
Other tests might include:
- Arterial blood gas
- BUN and creatininelevel
- Electrocardiogram
- Blood tests to checkglucose, magnesium, calcium, sodium, phosphorous, thyroxine, and aldosterone levels
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).
If you need to use diuretics, your doctor may switch you to a form that keeps potassium in the body (such as triamterene, amiloride, or spironolactone).
One type of hypokalemia that causes paralysis occurs when there is too much thyroid hormone in the blood (thyrotoxic periodic paralysis). Treatment lowers the thyroid hormone level, and raises the potassium level in the blood.
Expectations (prognosis)Taking potassium supplements can usually correct the problem. In severe cases, without proper treatment, a severe drop in potassium levels can lead to death.
ComplicationsIn severe cases, patients can develop paralysis that can be life threatening. Hypokalemia also can lead to dangerous irregular heartbeat. Over time, lack of potassium can lead to kidney damage (hypokalemic nephropathy).
Calling your health care providerCall your health care provider if you have been vomiting or have had excessive diarrhea, or if you are taking diuretics and have symptoms of hypokalemia.
PreventionEating a diet rich in potassium can help prevent hypokalemia. Foods high in potassium include:
- Bananas
- Bran
- Brussels sprouts
- Granola
- Kiwi
- Lima beans
- Milk
- Oranges
- Peaches
- Peanut butter
- Peas and beans
- Tomatoes
Seifter JL. Potassium disorders. In: Goldman L, Ausiello D, eds. Cecil Medicine. 23rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2007:chap 118.
Schaefer TJ, Wolford RW. Disorders of potassium. Emerg Med Clin North Am. August 2005;23:723-747.
Lafrance JP, Leblanc M. Metabolic, electrolytes, and nutritional concerns in critical illness. Crit Care Clin. April 2005;21:305-327.
Fukagawa M, Kurokawa K, Papadakis M. Fluid and electrolyte disorders. In Gonzales R, Ziegler R, eds. Current Medical Diagnosis and Treatment 2007. New York, NY:McGraw-Hill, 2006.
What else can I help you with?
What is the classification of kalium durule?
Kalium durule is classified as a potassium supplement. It is often used to treat or prevent low levels of potassium in the blood, known as hypokalemia.
Why do beta 2 agonists cause hypokalemia?
Beta 2 agonists cause hypokalemia by stimulating the beta 2 adrenergic receptors in the skeletal muscle, liver, and kidneys, leading to increased cellular uptake of potassium. This effect can result in decreased serum potassium levels and can be exacerbated in patients who are predisposed to hypokalemia due to conditions such as diuretic use or metabolic alkalosis.
What medicine is potassium used in?
Potassium is commonly used in medicine to treat and prevent low levels of potassium in the blood, known as hypokalemia. It is available in various forms such as potassium chloride tablets, liquid solutions, and intravenous (IV) injections. Additionally, potassium is also prescribed to manage certain heart conditions and as a supplement for individuals with potassium deficiency.
What is potassium CL?
Potassium chloride (KCl) is a salt that contains potassium and chloride ions. It is commonly used as a supplement to treat low levels of potassium in the blood, known as hypokalemia. Potassium is an essential mineral for various bodily functions, including muscle and nerve function.
Why do you give potassium in hyperglycemia?
Potassium levels often drop initially via increased urine output from the hyperglycemia caused osmotic diuresis. To make matters worse, the insulin, that will undoubtedly be used to treat the hyperglycemia, will also pull the free floating potassium into cells, and out of the blood stream where the body cannot utilize the potassium. This can result in cardiac arrhythmias and death. Therefore potassium must be administered with insulin to treat severe hyperglycemia, even when potassium levels don't seem critically low.
What is the effect on the heart function in the case of hypokalemia and hyperkalemia?
Hypokalemia and hyperkalmia both can have effects on the heart function. Hypokalemia and hyperkalemia can cause cardiac arriythmias.
What are the clinical symptoms of hypokalemia?
Weakness, Fatigue, Muscle cramps, Constipation, Abnormal heart rhythms (arrhythmias) are symptoms are hypokalemia.
What is a lack of potassium called?
Hypokalemia
Why do Beta agonist cause hypokalemia?
Beta 2 adrenergic agonists cause increased potassium entry into cells, which can lead to hypokalemia
How does the hypokalemia affect the effects of Digitalis?
Hypokalemia potentiates the effects of digoxin. Hypokalemia reduces the drive of the Na-K-ATPase, resulting in increased cellular Na in cardiac muscles. Digoxin does the same thing by blocking the Na-K-ATPase.
Do ace inhibitors cause hypokalemia?
It could. If its a diabetic patient who has raised serum postassium due to diabetic nephropathy then ace inhibitor can improve his diabetic nephropathy leading to hypokalemia.... BUT it DOESNT cause hypokalemia directly... instead it leads to hyperkalemia...
Does anorexia cause hypokalemia or hyperkalemia?
Hypokalamia.
Can hypokalemia cause AV block?
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What is the emergency treatment of hypokalemia?
In emergency situations, when severe hypokalemia is suspected, the patient should be put on a cardiac monitor, and respiratory status should be assessed.
What is the electrolyte disorder that accompanies diabetic ketosis?
Hypokalemia.
How is digoxin associated with hypokalemia?
Usually, hyperkalemia is associated with usage of digoxin. This is due to the blocking action of digoxin on the Na/K ase which results in accumulation of extracellular K+.Most of the times, patients presenting with heart problems are already on diuretics before they are prescribed with digoxin. Diuretics cause hypokalemia as they result in excessive excretion of K+ from the body. Hypokalemia in turn causes digoxin toxicity. Digoxin toxicity does not cause hypokalemia, but hypokalemia can worsen digoxin toxicity.
What are the clinical manifestations of hypokalemia?
Profound weak is the clinical manifestation of hypokalemia. Normally you have history of vomiting and diarrhoea or use of diauretics or starvetion. So along with weakness you have lethargy, you may get paralytic ileus. There are few diagnostic changes in the ECG of the patient, which points to the hypokalemia. You advice the serum potassium to the patient and you get the low potassium report to confirm the diagnosis.
