Ulcerative colitis, classified as an inflammatory bowel disease, causes inflammation of the colon --- a portion of the large intestine, and sometimes the rectum. The colon removes excess water from waste as it moves through the digestive system. The inflammation in the colon interferes with this function, therefore causing severe diarrhea that can affect the level of electrolytes in the body, including potassium.
Function
Potassium, a naturally occurring mineral, functions as an electrolyte in the body, which means that it helps to conduct electrical impulses. Potassium aids in muscle contractions, making it vital for normal heart function, digestion and skeletal muscle function. In addition, potassium helps to balance fluids in the body.
Fluid Loss
Although most people get enough potassium through a healthy diet rich in fruits and vegetables, conditions that affect the balance of water in the body can also affect the level of potassium, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. Most cases of hypokalemia, a condition characterized by a low potassium levels, occur due to the body losing too much potassium through the urine or the intestines.
Ulcerative Colitis
The symptoms of ulcerative colitis come and go with periods of remission between flare-ups. During a flare-up, the first and most noticeable symptom of ulcerative colitis, severe diarrhea, develops because of the colon's inability to absorb water from the digested contents. Prolonged periods of diarrhea can lead to dehydration, which can contribute to a decrease in the level of potassium in the body. In addition to diarrhea, ulcerative colitis can cause a loss of appetite, weight loss and fatigue. These symptoms occur because the inflammation in the intestines inhibits their ability to absorb all the nutrients, which can include potassium, from food.
Symptoms of Hypokalemia
A decline in the amount of potassium available for cells in the body to use can result in a number of symptoms. Common symptoms include muscle cramps, muscle weakness, fatigue and irregular heartbeat. A severe drop in potassium can be life-threatening, leading to dangerous heart arrhythmia, cardiac arrest and kidney damage, according to MedLine Plus, a service of the U.S. Library of Medicine, and the National Institutes of Health.
Nutrition
Maintaining proper nutrition can help to control both the onset of ulcerative colitis flare-ups and the level of potassium in the body. Although no particular type of food causes ulcerative colitis, patients benefit from a well balanced diet, according to the Crohn's and Colitis Foundation of America. For those with hypokalemia, eating foods rich in potassium can help increase potassium levels. Fruits and vegetables, including sweet potatoes, cantaloupe, bananas and spinach, as well as dairy products such as yogurt, meats and fish can help to increase potassium levels.
