In this blog, we will read about the condition caused due to low potassium levels in the blood i.e Hypokalemia.
It is a condition in which there is an abnormally low level of potassium in the blood which may be due to a less potassium-rich diet, medications and other medical and genetic conditions that may lower the blood potassium level it is often caused due to excessive vomiting, diarrhoea and use of a laxative etc.
What is Hypokalemia?
Hypokalemia refers to an abnormally low level of potassium in the blood Its normal level in the blood ranges from 3.5 to 5.2 mEq/L anything lower than 3mEq/L considered a hypokalemic condition that requires immediate diagnosis and treatment
Pottasium is a positive electrolyte that helps in maintaining the electrolyte balance and support and promotes overall body functioning the functions of potassium are:
- Helps in neural coordination and muscle coordination.
- Promotes cell signalling.
- It helps in controlling blood pressure.
- Helps in the movement of waste and nutrients.
- Controls Blood pressure by offsetting sodium.
Symptoms of Hypokalemia
Mild Hypokalemia does not show any symptoms but under some conditions its signs and symptoms include
- Constipation.
- Heart palpitations.
- Extreme tiredness (fatigue).
- Muscle weakness and spasms.
- Tingling and numbness in feet and hands.
More severe conditions can have a serious impact on our body the signs and symptoms such as:
- Muscle twitches.
- Muscle cramps.
- Severe muscle weakness, leading to paralysis.
- Low blood pressure (hypotension).
- Lightheadedness
- Abnormal heart rhythms (arrhythmias).
- Excessive urination (polyuria).
- Excessive thirst (polydipsia).
Causes of Hypokalemia
Low potassium level in the body mainly occurs due to digestive problems such as Vomiting, Diarrhoea or the use of laxatives other causes are
- Disorders of overeating such as Bulimia Nervosa.
- Excessive sweating (hyperhidrosis).
- Alcohol use disorder.
- Overconsumption of Diuretics can cause too much potassium to be expelled through your pee (urine).
- Other medications such as insulin, certain antibiotics and corticosteroids.
- Adrenal disorders, such as primary aldosteronism and Cushing’s syndrome.
- Chronic kidney disease.
- Low magnesium levels (hypomagnesemia).
Certain rare genetic conditions associated with kidney disease can also lead to low potassium levels such as
- Bartter’s syndrome
- Gitelman syndrome.
Other conditions such as Liddle syndrome, a rare disorder that causes increased blood pressure.
Diagnosis and Treatment
Hypokalemia usually does not show any symptoms but this condition can be diagnosed through blood tests other than this a comprehensive metabolic panel and Hypokalemia package help you to determine overall kidney health and electrolyte balance in the body, here is the potassium level range given in the tabulated form below:
|
Medical condition |
Biological reference(mEq/L) |
|
Normal potassium level |
3.5 to 5.2 mEq/L |
|
Mild Hypokalemia |
3 and 3.5 mEq/L |
|
Severe hypokalemia |
>3 mEq/L |
Some Other Blood Tests That Are Available to Treat the Condition
Other tests include
- Electrocardiogram(EKG): It is a procedure that uses electrodes to check for abnormal heart rhythm as hypokalemia can cause abnormal heart rhythm.
Management and Treatment
Hypokalemia can be managed through certain dietary and lifestyle modifications that can naturally elevate the potassium level in the blood and prevent various diseases associated with this condition, Some of the lifestyle and dietary changes include
- Regular exercise: Do regular exercise as it maintains the potassium balance, improves metabolism and kidney functioning and helps improve potassium levels. Regularly do exercises like brisk walking, aerobic exercise or swimming which help keep your kidney and heart healthy and improve overall health.
- Weight Management: Keep yourself active and avoid a sedentary lifestyle, eat a potassium-rich diet that helps elevate potassium levels in your body and has a positive effect on your heart health, so include such foods in your diet that help normalise potassium levels that help you to get a healthy body weight.
- Consume a potassium-rich diet: If you have Hypokalemia consume a diet that has a high content of potassium this includes meats like chicken and turkey, Dry fruits such as nuts, soda, beans, lentils, and some dry vegetables like beans, peas etc.
- Avoid tobacco and alcohol consumption: Avoid bad habits like smoking, drinking alcohol and consuming tobacco as it may lower potassium level levels and increase the chances of potassium deficiency disorders.
Treatment
If you have mild Hypokalemia your doctor will prescribe a potassium supplement that helps elevate the potassium level in the body and for much more severe conditions they may suggest Intravenous(IV) therapy in which an IV infusion of potassium is given through one of the veins to elevate potassium level in the blood.
The IV therapy can be given under conditions like
- If you extremely low potassium level
- If it is causing arrhythmia(Abnormal heart rhythms)
- Potassium supplements not working
- Too much loss of potassium through the body
If you are on Diuretics Take them accordingly as per the suggestion by the doctor your healthcare provider may suggest potassium supplements.
Choose the Top Diagnostic Centre in Delhi
Ganesh Diagnostic is one of the most reputed diagnostic centres located in Delhi which provides a 24*7*365-day facility, all the test results here are 100% accurate so that patients get the best and right treatment to recover easily. Avail of the online appointment opportunity now.
We also provide free blood sample collection and cholesterol tests at home. Get tested at the best diagnostic centre with Ganesh Diagnostics.
A Note From Ganesh Diagnostic
Hypokalemia is a potentially dangerous condition that has severe effects on our bodies as low levels of potassium in our body can increase the chances of chronic conditions like heart palpitations, neural disabilities, muscle weakness, to avoid this adopt a good healthy lifestyle that can naturally elevate potassium level and if you want to know your potassium level gets tested and treated well from the top diagnostic centre near you.
FAQs
What can I expect during Hypokalemia?
You can adopt a good and healthy lifestyle that naturally improve your potassium level and in other conditions, you may take certain medications that elevate potassium levels take suggestions from your doctor and get treated well.
What are the effects of Hypokalemia?
This condition can increase the risk of heart palpitations, muscle weakness brain and heart disease if not diagnosed and treated early, Improving your lifestyle will help manage this condition.
How to manage Hypokalemia?
- Regular Exercise.
- Stop smoking and drinking.
- Get quality sleep.
- Manage your stress level.
- Eat a-potassium-rich diet.
- Maintain healthy body weight.
