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By Barbara Kunz, Ph.D., HealthAtoZ Writer
If you have hypokalemia, that means you have low levels of potassium in your blood. Potassium is an important mineral found in your body. You need it for your nerves, muscles and organs to function. Potassium has a slight charge and is called an electrolyte. Hypokalemia is an electrolyte disorder, also known as a potassium deficiency.
Hypokalemia symptoms
Mild hypokalemia usually has no symptoms.
Moderate hypokalemia symptoms may include:
- Muscle weakness
- Constipation
- Thirst
- Fatigue
- Cramps during exercise
- Leg discomfort when sitting still
Severe hypokalemia symptoms may include:
- Extreme weakness
- Trouble breathing
- Paralysis
- Abnormal heartbeat (arrhythmia)
What are the causes of hypokalemia?
Hypokalemia can be caused by kidney problems, malnutrition or a depletion of your body's potassium stores. Your body can lose potassium from diarrhea, vomiting, overuse of laxatives or even excessive sweating.
Hypokalemia can also develop as a side effect of certain medications, especially certain types of diuretics or "water pills." Diuretics are used to treat conditions like high blood pressure, heart failure and liver or kidney disease. Other medications, such as insulin or steroids, can also affect potassium levels in your body.
Hypokalemia treatment
In most cases, hypokalemia can be successfully treated. If it is a mild case, you may simply need to eat more foods that contain potassium. In some cases, you may need to add a potassium supplement to your diet.
If medications are causing the problem, your doctor may change your medication or its dosage. You may also need to take a potassium supplement.
If you have severe hypokalemia, you may need to be hospitalized and receive potassium intravenously.
Getting enough potassium
A healthy adult needs about 4,700 milligrams of potassium a day. Because it can be found in many foods, most people get enough of it in their regular diet. You usually won't need a supplement if you are eating a healthy, balanced diet.
You can replace potassium lost during heavy exercise by drinking sports drinks that contain electrolytes.
If you take diuretics, be sure to get enough potassium-rich foods in your diet, including:
- Sweet potatoes and baked potatoes
- Tomato paste, tomato juice and tomato sauce
- Beans, soybeans and lentils
- Yogurt and low-fat milk
- Tuna, halibut, rockfish and cod
- Bananas, peaches, prunes, apricots and cantaloupe
- Spinach
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