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Common Health Topics. Electrolyte Balance. Test your knowledge. Hypoglycemia is an abnormally low level of sugar glucose in the blood. People with which of the following conditions are most likely to develop hypoglycemia? More Content. The diagnosis is based on blood tests to measure the potassium level. 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. Measurement of potassium level in the blood.
Potassium supplements. The potassium level is dangerously low. People continue to lose more potassium than can be replaced using supplements taken by mouth. Was This Page Helpful? Yes No. In severe cases, without proper treatment, a severe drop in potassium level can lead to serious heart rhythm problems that can be fatal. In severe cases, life-threatening paralysis may develop, such as with hypokalemic periodic paralysis. Call your provider right away if you have been vomiting or have had excessive diarrhea, or if you are taking diuretics and have symptoms of hypokalemia.
Mount DB. Disorders of potassium balance. Brenner and Rector's The Kidney. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; chap Seifter JL.
Potassium disorders. Goldman-Cecil Medicine. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Saunders; chap Updated by: David C. Editorial team. Low blood potassium. Common causes of low blood potassium include: Medicines, such as diuretics water pills , certain antibiotics Diarrhea or vomiting Eating disorders such as bulimia Hyperaldosteronism Laxative overuse, which can cause diarrhea Chronic kidney disease Low magnesium level Sweating Genetic disorders, such as hypokalemic periodic paralysis , Bartter syndrome.
Instead, it occurs when your body suddenly loses a lot of fluid. Common causes include chronic vomiting, diarrhea, excessive sweating and blood loss 3. First, potassium helps regulate muscle contractions. When blood potassium levels are low, your muscles produce weaker contractions 4.
For example, some evidence shows that a deficiency could impair insulin production, resulting in high blood sugar levels 5. Summary Since potassium helps regulate muscle contractions, deficiency may result in weaker contractions. They can occur when potassium levels are low in the blood 6. Within muscle cells, potassium helps relay signals from the brain that stimulate contractions. It also helps end these contractions by moving out of the muscle cells 7.
When blood potassium levels are low, your brain cannot relay these signals as effectively. This results in more prolonged contractions, such as muscle cramps. Summary Potassium helps start and stop muscle contractions. Low blood potassium levels can affect this balance, causing uncontrolled and prolonged contractions known as cramps.
Potassium helps relay signals from the brain to muscles located in the digestive system. These signals stimulate contractions that help the digestive system churn and propel food so it can be digested 8. Thus, contractions in the digestive system may become weaker and slow the movement of food. This may cause digestive problems like bloating and constipation 9 , Additionally, some studies have suggested that a severe deficiency may cause the gut to become completely paralyzed However, other studies found that the link between potassium deficiency and a paralyzed gut is not completely clear Summary Potassium deficiency may cause problems like bloating and constipation because it can slow the movement of food through the digestive system.
This feeling is known as a heart palpitation and is commonly linked to stress or anxiety. However, heart palpitations can also be a sign of potassium deficiency This is because the flow of potassium in and out of heart cells helps regulate your heartbeat.
Low blood potassium levels can alter this flow, resulting in heart palpitations In addition, heart palpitations may be a sign of arrhythmia, or an irregular heartbeat, which is also linked to potassium deficiency. Unlike palpitations, arrhythmia has been linked to serious heart conditions 14 , Summary Potassium helps regulate the heartbeat, and low levels may cause symptoms like heart palpitations.
These palpitations may also be a symptom of arrhythmia, or irregular heartbeat, which may be a sign of a serious heart condition.
Muscle aches and stiffness can also be a sign of a severe potassium deficiency Blood levels of potassium help regulate blood flow to your muscles.
When levels are severely low, your blood vessels can contract and restrict blood flow to your muscles This means muscle cells receive less oxygen, which may cause them to rupture and leak. This results in rhabdomyolysis, which is accompanied by symptoms like muscle stiffness and aches Summary Muscle aches and stiffness can be another sign of potassium deficiency and are caused by rapid muscle breakdown rhabdomyolysis.
Those with potassium deficiency may experience persistent tingles and numbness This is known as paresthesia and usually occurs in the hands, arms, legs and feet Potassium is important for healthy nerve function.
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