Why does the body need potassium?
Potassium is the main intracellular electrolyte; Together with sodium, it creates a charge difference on the cell membrane, due to which an electrical impulse arises and is transmitted. The contraction of skeletal muscles, intestinal function and, most importantly, the rhythmic functioning of the heart depend on this. Only a small fraction of the total reserve is found in the blood, so the analysis reflects the condition approximately: with a slight decrease in the indicator, the deficiency in the body can be significant. Potassium levels are finely regulated by the kidneys, adrenal hormones, and acid-base balance.
- Transmission of electrical impulses in cells
- Muscle contraction and bowel function
- Rhythmic work of the heart
- The main supply is inside the cells
- Regulation via kidney and adrenal hormones
Reasons for the decline
The three main mechanisms are loss through the kidneys, loss through the gastrointestinal tract, and movement of potassium into cells. The most common culprits are diuretics used for hypertension and heart failure. Significant losses are caused by repeated vomiting, prolonged diarrhea, and abuse of laxatives. In diseases of the adrenal glands with excess aldosterone, potassium is excreted intensively, and this is combined with poorly decreasing blood pressure. Magnesium deficiency interferes with potassium retention. Inadequate dietary intake as the sole cause is rare.
- Taking diuretics
- Repeated vomiting and prolonged diarrhea
- Laxative abuse
- Excess aldosterone in adrenal diseases
- Magnesium deficiency
- Uncompensated diabetes mellitus
- Some antibiotics and hormonal drugs
Symptoms
A slight decline may go unnoticed. With a more pronounced deficiency, general and muscle weakness, fatigue, cramps in the calf muscles, and a crawling sensation appear. Intestinal function slows down: bloating and constipation occur. On the part of the heart, interruptions, a feeling of fading and rapid heartbeat are disturbing; The ECG reveals characteristic changes. Severe hypokalemia can cause rhythm problems, especially in people taking medications to treat heart failure.
- Muscle weakness and fatigue
- Cramps in calves
- Feelings of pins and needles and numbness
- Bloating and constipation
- Interruptions and freezing in the heart
- Frequent urination and thirst
- ECG changes
Survey
Potassium is determined along with sodium and chlorine, as well as magnesium, since their deficiencies usually go together. Kidney function is assessed by creatinine, and the acid-base status is checked in severe cases. It is important to find out whether potassium is lost in the urine or through the intestines, for which the urine is examined. All patients with a significant decrease have an ECG taken. An obligatory part is an analysis of the medications taken: diuretics, laxatives, inhalers, hormones. When low potassium and high blood pressure are combined, adrenal disease is looked for.
- Potassium, sodium, chlorine
- Magnesium
- Creatinine and kidney function assessment
- ECG
- Urinalysis and assessment of potassium loss
- Review of medications taken
- Examination of the adrenal glands for persistent hypertension
Treatment and nutrition
The main thing is to eliminate the cause: adjust the dose of the diuretic, replace the drug, stop taking laxatives, and make up for losses due to vomiting and diarrhea. At the same time, potassium is replenished: in case of a slight decrease - through nutrition and pills, in case of severe decrease - intravenously in a hospital under ECG monitoring, since rapid administration is dangerous. If magnesium is reduced, it must be replenished, otherwise potassium will not be retained. Self-administration of potassium supplements is unacceptable: in case of kidney disease, it can lead to a dangerous excess.
- Correction or replacement of a diuretic drug by a doctor
- Replenishment of losses due to vomiting and diarrhea
- Potassium supplements as prescribed by a doctor
- Intravenous administration only in hospital
- Mandatory magnesium supplementation
- Dried apricots, bananas, potatoes, legumes, nuts in the diet
- Monitoring potassium and creatinine after treatment
