Lower than normal levels of potassium in the circulating blood.
Symptoms of Hypokalemia
The following features are indicative of Hypokalemia:
leg cramps
constipation
feeling tired
weakness
palpitations
muscle damage
numbness
It is possible that Hypokalemia shows no physical symptoms and still is present in a patient.
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Common Causes of Hypokalemia
The following are the most common causes of Hypokalemia:
inadequate potassium intake
dialysis
diarrhea
hypomagnesemia
diabetes insipidus
hyperaldosteronism
Other Causes of Hypokalemia
The following are the less common causes of Hypokalemia:
certain medications like furosemide and steroids
Risk Factors for Hypokalemia
The following factors may increase the likelihood of Hypokalemia:
patients with cardiovascular disease
acute renal failure
acute chest diseases
central nervous system diseases
congestive heart failure
diabetic ketoacidosis
diarrhea with dehydration
Prevention of Hypokalemia
Yes, it may be possible to prevent Hypokalemia. Prevention may be possible by doing the following:
intake of adequate potassium-containing foods, such as leafy green vegetables, avocados, tomatoes, coconut water, citrus fruits, oranges, or bananas
Occurrence of Hypokalemia
Number of Cases
The following are the number of Hypokalemia cases seen each year worldwide:
Common between 1 - 10 Million cases
Common Age Group
Hypokalemia can occur at any age.
Common Gender
Hypokalemia can occur in any gender.
Lab Tests and Procedures for Diagnosis of Hypokalemia
The following lab tests and procedures are used to detect Hypokalemia:
Electrocardiogram (ECG): To determine the heart rate and diagnose hypokalemia
Blood tests: To check the potassium level
Doctor for Diagnosis of Hypokalemia
Patients should visit the following specialists if they have symptoms of Hypokalemia:
Critical care medicine specialist
Complications of Hypokalemia if untreated
Yes, Hypokalemia causes complications if it is not treated. Below is the list of complications and problems that may arise if Hypokalemia is left untreated:
cardiac arrest
hypokalemic periodic paralysis
Self-care for Hypokalemia
The following self-care actions or lifestyle changes may help in the treatment or management of Hypokalemia:
Adequate intake of potassium-containing foods: Helps in treating and prevent low level of potassium
Patient Support for Treatment of Hypokalemia
The following actions may help Hypokalemia patients:
Join support organization group: Helps in coping with the disease