Hypokalemia, or low levels of potassium in the blood, is a serious and potentially life-threatening condition. Potassium plays a key role in a variety of bodily functions such as nerve cell conduction, muscle contraction and the balance of fluids in the body. Symptoms of hypokalemia include muscle weakness and paralysis, abnormal heart rhythms, constipation and fatigue. Several medical disorders can lead to low potassium levels in the blood.
Hypokalemia Periodic Paralysis
Hypokalemia periodic paralysis is an inherited disorder in which sudden attacks of muscle weakness and paralysis occur due to low levels of potassium in the blood. It is due to a genetic mutation in a gene that results in high levels of potassium abnormally passing from the blood into cells which can be provoked by high carbohydrate or sodium intake, according to a review by Dr. F. John Gennari in the August 1998 issue of the "New England Journal of Medicine." Certain medications and eating a low-sodium, low-carbohydrate diet may help prevent attacks from occurring.
Primary Aldosteronism
Aldosterone is a hormone in the body that plays a large role in balancing the levels of sodium and potassium in the blood. Primary adosteronism is a condition in which the adrenal glands produce too much aldosterone, generally due to adrenal gland tumors. In the kidneys, aldosterone regulates fluid balance by retaining sodium and excreting potassium. High levels of aldosterone exacerbate this process resulting in the excretion of high levels of potassium from the body, leading to hypokalemia, according to MayoClinic.com.
Eating Disorders
The eating disorders anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa may contribute to electrolyte imbalances in the body leading to hypokalemia. According to an article by D. Greenfeld and colleagues in the January 1995 issue of the "American Journal of Psychiatry," there are several mechanisms by which eating disorders contribute to hypokalemia. Vomiting results in a direct loss of potassium from the body as well as an indirect lowering of blood potassium levels due to metabolic alkalosis brought on by a loss of stomach acid. Metabolic alkalosis causes potassium to leave the blood and enter cells. Laxatives are commonly abused in individuals with eating disorders, which results in a loss of potassium from the body as well as other important electrolytes. Low blood volumes caused by excessive diarrhea and vomiting may lead to secondary hyperaldosteronism or excessive aldosterone secretion. This further increases the loss of potassium from the body, worsening the hypokalemic condition.
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