Causes Or Symptoms Of Low Potassium

Potassium is necessary for smooth and skeletal muscle contraction. It is also needed for heart muscle contraction. It is found in the bloodstream and inside the cells. Abnormally low levels of potassium in the blood is called hypokalemia. It may occur for many reasons such as inadequate intake or intake of certain foods and some diseases. Symptoms of low potassium in the body are manifested in areas of the body such as the heart and digestive system.

Excessive Licorice Intake

Licorice is a herb typically obtained from the root of a plant called Glycyrrhiza glabra. It is used in food and for medicinal purposes. It is also known as sweet root and is up to 50 times sweeter than sugar, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. Licorice contains a substance called glycyrrhizin, which is converted to glycyrrhetinic acid in the body. In the body, glycyrrhizin, inhibits the action of an enzyme called 11-beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase. This enzyme converts cortisol--a hormone made by the adrenal glands--to cortisone. This conversion is done to inactivate cortisol so that it doesn't stimulate the kidneys to retain sodium and excrete potassium.

In the presence of glycyrrhetinic acid, due to excessive intake of licorice, cortisol is not converted to cortisone. So, it builds up in the body and makes the kidneys excrete more potassium and retain sodium. This can then lead to hypokalemia.

Hypokalemic Periodic Paralysis

Hypokalemic periodic paralysis is a genetic disease that is present at birth. In this disease, sufferers experience periods of hypokalemia because potassium in the bloodstream moves into the muscle cells. The Medline Plus Medical Encyclopedia reports that this condition affects approximately one out of 100,000 people.

Symptoms

Potassium helps the smooth, skeletal and cardiac muscles work properly. When the levels of potassium in the bloodstream are low, the heart may begin to beat abnormally. This could lead to ventricular arrhythmia--a type of abnormal heart rhythm during which the heart quivers. This condition can cause loss of consciousness due to inadequate blood flow to parts of the body like the brain. The digestive system is made of smooth muscles and in hypokalemia, they could become weak. This causes symptoms like constipation and pain in the abdomen. Muscles that are attached to bone are called skeletal muscles. They become weak as a result of hypokalemia.