Dorothy FarrarHypokalemia
Hypokalemia refers to a lack of potassium in the human blood. This deficiency can have various causes, such as severe loss of electrolytes in diarrhea and vomiting.
What is hypokalemia?
In hypokalemia, the concentration of potassium in the blood is too low. It is an electrolyte imbalance in which there are less than 3.5 mmol of potassium per liter of blood serum. Potassium plays an important role in body metabolism. Furthermore, potassium, together with sodium , is responsible for the activity of the heart muscle.
The potassium causes all nerve and muscle cells to remain irritable and show appropriate reactions. Potassium also regulates blood pressure. With hypokalemia, disorders and complications occur here. This deficiency can usually be treated well. Only in very few cases does it cause a life-threatening condition.
causes
There are various reasons for the development of hypokalemia. Very often it occurs when the body does not have enough potassium because it is not supplied through food, on the one hand, and on the other hand the body can also lose potassium. This can happen, for example, with vomiting and diarrhea, often in connection with gastroenteritis . Then the body loses water and thus also the potassium.
Potassium loss can also occur if laxatives are abused. But even very heavy sweating leads to a loss that cannot be compensated for so quickly. Hypokalemia can also develop in chronic and inflammatory diseases of the intestine , such as Crohn’s disease . Taking various medications can also lead to a potassium deficiency. This applies in particular to diuretics , which have a draining effect.
Older people in particular are at risk of not getting enough potassium from their diet. If the food is too salty or the intake of liquid is not high enough, a potassium deficiency also occurs. In this case, the potassium-sodium balance in the body is disturbed.
symptoms
Typical symptoms:
diagnosis and course
To diagnose hypokalemia, the doctor will first take a medical history to analyze the symptoms. In this way, the doctor can express the suspicion that it could be hypokalemia. After that, special questions about nutrition, illnesses and medication intake of the patient are discussed. In the further course, the doctor determines the concentration of potassium in the blood in the laboratory. A urine test can also help determine potassium deficiency. In severe cases, abnormalities can also be detected in the ECG . These relate to atrial fibrillation and extrasystoles.
It is also of great importance for the diagnosis of hypokalemia to identify other deficiencies in the electrolyte balance. Because potassium is particularly important for muscle function, a deficit can lead to muscle weakness or even paralysis . A sluggishness of the intestines, which is accompanied by constipation, is also very typical of the disorder. Pain and bloating can also occur. This fact, in turn, makes those affected more likely to use laxatives, which in turn reinforce the lack of potassium.
This is how constipation occurs again. The typical symptoms of a severe potassium deficiency are muscle cramps and cardiac arrhythmias. In the worst case, the latter can cause cardiac arrest, which then leads to the death of the patient. However, this is very rare and only occurs in extremely severe cases. Overall, hypokalemia is treatable.
complications
Symptoms that initially appear harmless are in certain cases a sign of a conspicuous potassium deficiency. They warn of the medical complications of hypokalemia. Very few patients are aware that the disease is taking an undesirable development. Those affected should take this information from the organism seriously and seek medical advice. Persistent vomiting and diarrhea lead to increased listlessness , general exhaustion and lack of strength. This also applies to previously healthy people.
The same symptoms develop in people who constantly use laxatives . The regularly liquefied stool flushes out more potassium. The result is a lack of this mineral. In both cases, a visit to the doctor brings quick help and protects against a difficult course. If older people constantly suffer from excessive bowel movements, further signs of hypokalemia may develop. Discomfort and signs of paralysis occur in the hands and feet. Medical therapy is necessary here to prevent damage to the stomach, intestines, muscle tissue and nervous system.
Another form of defects caused by potassium deficiency, some of which are significant, affects the chronically ill who regularly need medication for the heart, blood pressure, respiratory tract or kidneys. If you unexpectedly complain about dysesthesias in your chest, heart problems or palpitations, you need medical help quickly. It protects those affected from dangerous cardiac consequences.
treatment and therapy
Therapy for hypokalemia is carried out depending on the cause and the severity of the disease. If there is only a slight lack of potassium, this can be compensated for by an appropriate diet. Vegetables, cereals, nuts and fruits are particularly rich in potassium. These include in particular potatoes, dried fruit, bananas and parsley. They contain a lot of potassium.
Meat and fish also have potassium, but the concentration is lower than in fruits and vegetables. It is particularly important to note that potassium is a water-soluble substance. It is therefore partly lost again during cooking.
Furthermore, treatment with so-called dietary supplements is only advisable to a limited extent, since this approach often leads to an excessive supply of potassium. If the dosage is low and under medical supervision, hypokalemia can be treated well in this way. Infusions containing potassium are also only given in extremely severe cases, such as cardiac arrhythmia.
prevention
Because older people are particularly affected by hypokalemia, it is essential that they pay attention to their diet, which should be very rich in potassium. The fluid intake should also be sufficient. But young people should also drink around two liters of liquid in the form of water and fruit juices every day. It is also advisable to ensure that the body is supplied with sufficient electrolytes in the case of gastrointestinal diseases so that no deficiency symptoms can occur.
Hello and welcome to my Health Guide & Encyclopedia! My name is Dorothy Farrar, and I'm the founder and main author of this platform.
My passion for health and wellness started at a young age when I became interested in the connection between the food we eat and the way we feel. This fascination led me to study nutrition and dietetics in college, where I learned about the importance of a balanced diet and the impact of various nutrients on the body.