Potassium belongs to a class of nutrients known as macro-minerals. This essential element plays a role in many biological functions including blood pressure control, fluid balance, and muscle contraction. Fluctuations in blood potassium levels are dangerous and can be potentially fatal. Specifically, hypokalemia is the term used to describe abnormally low blood potassium levels. This condition is usually caused by prolonged vomiting, chronic diarrhea, laxative abuse, eating disorders, chronic kidney failure or use of diuretics. There are many signs and symptoms of low blood potassium.
Loss of Muscle Control
Potassium is the predominant positive ion within the interior of every cell in the body, including muscle cells. It plays an essential role in the process of muscle contraction and relaxation. Because of that, low blood potassium levels can cause muscle breakdown, muscle weakness, spasms or paralysis, according to MedlinePlus. It is important to note that the human heart is also a muscle and is therefore affected by the action of potassium. Severely low potassium levels can potentially cause dangerous disruptions in heart rhythms.
Gastrointestinal Distress
Hypokalmia can cause a host of gastrointestinal disruptions such as constipation. Other symptoms include appetite loss as well as losing the capacity to perceive the need for water. Diuretics induce the excretion of water along with potassium from the body. Because of that, physicians advise patients on diuretics to consume a potassium-rich diet in order to compensate for the losses, according to the text "Nutrition Concepts & Controversies."
Chronic Disease Complications
In addition to its own signs and symptoms, hypokalemia can cause complications with other chronic diseases and conditions. For example, low blood potassium can worsen cases of hypertension as it plays a role in blood pressure regulation. Also, hypokalemia impairs glucose tolerance and raises the likelihood of developing kidney stones, according to the text "Nutrition." Moreover, increases metabolic acidity and accelerates calcium losses from bones thereby increasing the risk of developing osteoporosis.
References
- "Nutrition Concepts & Controversies"; F. Sizer & E. Whitney; 2006
- "Nutrition"; P. Insel; R. E. Turner; D. Ross
- MayoClinic.com: Hypokalemia
- MedlinePlus: Hypokalemia
