Hypokalaemia, also called hypokalemia, corresponds to the situation in which a low amount of potassium is found in the blood, which can cause muscle weakness, cramps and changes in heartbeat, for example, and which can happen due to the use of laxatives, vomiting frequent or as a consequence of some medications.
Potassium is an electrolyte that can be found easily in various foods, such as bananas, pumpkin seeds, orange juice and carrots, for example, and is essential for the proper functioning of muscles and transmission of nerve impulses. Low concentrations of this electrolyte in the blood can cause some symptoms and lead to long-term consequences, so it is important that hypokalemia is identified and treated correctly according to the doctor's guidance.
Symptoms of low potassium in the blood
The decrease in potassium in the blood can lead to the appearance of mainly muscular symptoms, such as cramps, involuntary muscle contraction, constant weakness and, in the most severe cases, paralysis, for example. In addition, there may be difficulty in breathing and a change in heart rate.
The normal amount of potassium in the blood is between 3.5 mEq / L and 5.5 mEq / L, amounts less than 3.5 mEq / L characterize hypokalemia. Learn more about potassium.
Main causes
The main causes that lead to a decrease in potassium in the blood are:
- Vomiting and diarrhea, which are the most common causes of decreased potassium in the blood due to loss through the gastrointestinal tract; Use of some medications, such as insulin, salbutamol and theophylline, for example, as they promote the entry of potassium in cells, with a decrease in its concentration in the blood; Hyperthyroidism, in which potassium is also displaced into cells; Alteration in the adrenal glands, resulting in increased production of aldosterone, which is a hormone that regulates the balance between sodium and potassium and which when elevated favors the elimination of potassium in the urine, which results in hypokalemia; Use of laxatives on a regular basis, as it can lead to the loss of electrolytes, which, in the long run, can cause kidney and heart problems; Cushing's syndrome, which is a disease that occurs due to the increased concentration of cortisol in the blood and, as a result, there is greater excretion of potassium in the urine, causing hypokalemia. Learn more about Cushing's Syndrome.
Deficiency of potassium in the blood is rarely related to food, since most of the foods consumed on a daily basis have adequate amounts of potassium. Know the potassium-rich foods.
The diagnosis of hypokalemia is made from the measurement of potassium in the blood and urine, in addition to electrocardiogram, since there may be changes in heart rate. It is important that hypokalemia is identified and treated properly, as very low concentrations of potassium in the blood can lead to muscle paralysis and kidney failure, for example, and this situation is quite serious for people who have heart problems.
How the treatment is done
Treatment for low potassium in the blood is done according to the cause of hypokalemia, symptoms presented by the person and potassium concentration in the blood. Most of the time, the general practitioner recommends the use of an oral potassium supplement, which should be used in small doses during a meal to avoid irritation of the gastrointestinal system.
In the most severe cases, which is when the potassium concentration is equal to or below 2.0 mEq / L, it is recommended to administer potassium directly into the vein so that the levels of this electrolyte are regularized more quickly. Potassium directly in the vein is also indicated when there are very large changes in heart rate or when even with the use of oral supplements, the level of potassium continues to fall.
