Potassium is a mineral vital to your body's functions. It helps to maintain fluid balance and conducts electrical energy, which helps to produce energy reactions. Because of this, you must maintain potassium balance to avoid adverse symptoms. If your fluid balance becomes off track, you may experience stomach cramping.
Significance
Low levels of potassium cause a condition known as hypokalemia, according to the Linus Pauling Institute at Oregon State University. When your body does not have enough potassium, it cannot maintain fluid balance. Because fluid balance enables muscle contractions, low levels of potassium cause the body to contract excessively---resulting in stomach cramping.
Causes
You may experience low potassium levels after a bout of illness, such as prolonged vomiting, according to the Linus Pauling Institute. Using diuretics also can cause accelerated potassium loss via the urine. Kidney disease or other metabolic conditions also can contribute to low potassium levels, as they affect the body's ability to maintain potassium balance.
Athletic Losses
If you have ever experienced stomach cramping after a long exercise session, this could be the result of potassium losses, according to Ohio State University. Potassium can be lost via sweat, resulting in low enough levels to cause stomach cramping. To prevent this, consume a potassium source such as a banana, 1 cup of orange juice or potato to restore lost potassium.
Treatment
Treatment for potassium-related stomach cramping depends upon its cause, according to Colorado State University. If hypokalemia is due to a chronic condition, such as kidney disease, your physician may recommend a potassium supplement in order to boost levels. Other medications may be necessary to improve kidney functions. Your doctor may also recommend a high-potassium diet. Foods high in potassium include milk, yogurt, banana, cantaloupe, nectarines, raisins, chicken, fish, carrots, celery, squash and molasses.
Warning
Allowing potassium levels to dip too low can have life-threatening effects, such as muscular paralysis, abnormal heart rhythms and intestinal paralysis, according to the Linus Pauling Institute. If you experience frequent bouts of stomach cramping, seek medical treatment for your condition to ensure it does not progress.
