Low Level Of Potassium In The Blood – Potassium is both an electrolyte and a mineral. All the muscles, including those that control the heartbeat and breathing, need potassium to work. We get potassium from the food we eat. The amount of potassium that the body needs is absorbed and the extra potassium is removed from the blood by the kidneys. When the kidneys do not remove the extra potassium from the blood, there is a build up of extra potassium and this condition is called hyperkalemia. Hyperkalemia is a dangerous condition and can also be a cause for heart attack.

Symptoms Most people do not experience any symptoms of hyperkalemia. When they do, the most common ones are fatigue, muscle weakness, nausea, breathing difficulties, irregular heartbeat and chest pains.

Low Level Of Potassium In The Blood

The main cause of hyperkalemia is chronic kidney disease and acute kidney failure. When the kidneys do not work properly, they are not able to remove the extra potassium from the blood. So the potassium, instead of leaving the body through urine, travels back into the bloodstream. Over a period of time, potassium levels in the blood build up. Other common causes of hyperkalemia are, dehydration, uncontrolled diabetes, certain medications such as ACE inhibitors and beta blockers, some injuries that cause excessive bleeding, excessive use of potassium supplements. The hormone aldosterone signals the kidneys to remove the potassium. Certain diseases such as Addison’s disease lower the production of aldosterone and lead to hyperkalemia. Excess potassium in the diet can also lead to hyperkalemia. Treatment Treatment of hyperkalemia varies depending on the cause of the disease. Hyperkalemia is usually treated through diet and medications. Treatment of kidney disease is most important. Other treatments commonly include a low potassium diet, changing medications or stopping medications that result in hyperkalemia and taking medications that lower potassium levels in the body. Medicines that are used to reduce potassium levels are called potassium binders. It sticks to the potassium in the blood and prevents it from being absorbed back into the bloodstream.

The Importance Of Potassium And Top 7 Low Carb Foods High In Potassium

Foods that are high in potassium are bananas, oranges, grapefruit, tomatoes, asparagus, Brussels sprouts, beans, most meat, fish and salt substitutes.

Hyperkalemia should not be untreated because it can cause changes in the heart rhythm that can be life threatening. It can also cause paralysis.

Disclaimer: This information in no way constitutes or should be construed as medical advice. The above article is not an endorsement of any research findings discussed in the article nor is it an endorsement of any of the source publications.

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You’ve no doubt heard that an apple a day keeps the doctor away. But what about a banana a day? Your body needs potassium to function. It is one of the essential minerals for health. It helps regulate your body’s fluid balance, maintains your body’s electrolyte system, reduces blood pressure and lowers your risk of stroke.

Too much potassium, called hyperkalemia, can cause weakness, fatigue, loss of muscle function, and slowed heartbeat. Too little potassium, called hypokalemia, can cause muscle weakness, muscle twitches, heart palpitations and cramps – it can also lead to paralysis and respiratory failure.

How To Lower Potassium Levels

Low levels of potassium can cause serious health problems, such as high blood pressure and kidney stones, which is why it is useful to know how to identify the symptoms of low potassium and what may be causing it. Fortunately, you can often increase potassium levels on your own through diet and supplementation. Here’s what you need to know.

Low potassium levels are blood potassium levels below 3.5 mEq/L; Below 2.5 mEq/L can be life-threatening. Normal potassium levels, for most people, are typically between 3.5 and 5.0 mEq per liter (mEq/L), according to a 2018 clinical update. Anything above 5.0 mEq/L is considered high, and levels above 6.0 can be dangerous and may require Immediate medical attention.

Most people do not go to the doctor for a low level of potassium or because they think they are hypokalemic. Usually, it is detected when you do blood work because you have symptoms of another illness, such as an adrenal disorder, or when you have routine lab work done, which is often necessary if you take a diuretic.

Many people do not experience any symptoms of hypokalemia until it is severe, and the amount of potassium has fallen below 3.0 mEq/L.

Potassium Deficiency (hypokalemia): Symptoms And Treatment

Low potassium is not an illness in itself, but is a symptom of an underlying condition or disease. When low potassium is detected, your doctor may suggest additional testing to determine the cause. Further blood tests may check for glucose, magnesium, calcium, sodium, phosphorus, thyroid hormones and aldosterone. Your doctor may also order an electrocardiogram (ECG) to check the electrical activity in your heart.

It is also essential to treat the underlying medical conditions or eliminate the cause. For example, if the overuse of laxatives causes hypokalemia, then addressing the physical or psychological need for laxatives should be part of the treatment plan. If a patient needs a diuretic, the doctor may discuss substitutions that allow potassium to remain in the body (potassium-sparing diuretic) or may prescribe daily potassium supplements.

While potassium is a nutrient we get from food, diet alone rarely causes hypokalemia. There are several possible causes of hypokalemia and certain populations that have an increased risk of deficiency. These include:

Very low potassium levels can cause more serious health conditions, such as heart rhythm problems, and can cause your heart to stop.

Symptoms And Treatment Of Potassium Deficiency(hypokalemia)

In mild cases of hypokalemia, potassium levels can normalize within a few days after you start increasing potassium intake. Making sure you eat enough potassium-rich foods every day can help boost and maintain healthy potassium levels. The recommended daily potassium intake, according to the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine (NASEM) are:

“The best way to raise potassium levels quickly is by taking a potassium supplement, many of which are available over-the-counter,” says Linda Girgis, MD, a board-certified family physician in private practice in South River. , New Jersey. “Once the level reaches the normal level, you may be able to stop the supplements and maintain potassium levels through diet.”

Taking supplements, however, can be risky. Potassium supplements may cause minor gastrointestinal side effects or very high levels of potassium.

“Too high potassium levels can be just as dangerous as when they are too low. Either extreme can lead to cardiac arrhythmias and other problems,” says Dr. Girgis. “It’s best to work with your doctor when taking supplements so that Your potassium levels are monitored to ensure they are in the safe range.”

Hypokalemia Images, Stock Photos & Vectors

Over-the-counter supplements may not be enough if your potassium level is extremely low. The FDA limits supplements to less than 100 mg of potassium, which is only a fraction of the daily recommended intake. Doctors can prescribe a more potent potassium supplement to patients with hypokalemia.

It can be challenging to know which type is the best potassium supplement for you. “Potassium chloride is most commonly used for people who are potassium deficient,” according to Dr. Girgis, “Potassium phosphate is useful if the patient is also phosphate deficient. If a patient is prone to kidney stones, potassium citrate may be helpful because the citrate can bind to calcium in urine, preventing crystal formation. She recommends seeking medical advice before taking any supplements. We didn’t think so. Chances are that you, like many other people, tragically underestimate the importance of potassium. When dissolved in water, this mineral becomes highly reactive and produces positively charged ions. Because of its special ability to conduct electricity, which makes it necessary for a number of body functions, potassium is classified as one of the five basic electrolytes.

Studies have linked an increased intake of foods high in potassium to a variety of impressive health benefits. We will cover what potassium is, why we need potassium, how potassium functions in the body, and common signs of potassium deficiency. Plus we’ll share a list of 15 potassium-rich foods.

Potassium is the third most abundant mineral in the human body. Testing shows that the vast majority of potassium in your body—about 98%—can be found in your cells. Your muscle cells claim 80% of the potassium stores, while the remaining 20% ​​is divided between your bones, liver and red blood cells.

What Causes High Potassium Levels

Potassium

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