Seizures & Potassium

Seizures are a manifestation of abnormal brain cell activity caused by conditions that make brain cells more excitable in response to electrical signals within the brain. The causes of seizures are many and include abnormalities in blood potassium concentration. Potassium is necessary for normal brain cell communication.

Abnormal Blood Potassium Concentration

Potassium is constantly lost in the urine. Potassium concentration can also be influenced by the loss of large volumes of fluid from the body such as in vomiting and diarrhea. Potassium can become deficient when aldosterone, a hormone released from the adrenal gland, is in excess or when loss of fluid is persistent.

Symptoms Associated With Abnormal Potassium

Any abnormality in blood potassium, whether high or low, can result in irregular beating of the heart and seizures. Low potassium is commonly associated with muscle weakness, fatigue, cramping of the muscles and constipation. Insulin, which is needed for the cells to use glucose, can also cause low blood potassium, when in excess; a person with diabetes can administer excess insulin, which can lead to dangerously low blood glucose and potassium concentrations. Certain diseases that can elevate potassium include kidney disease, late stage diabetes and congestive heart failure.

Symptoms Associated With Seizures

The signs and symptoms associated with seizures can vary depending on the nature and severity of the seizure. Seizures can be global or localized to one area of the brain. Global seizures involve the whole brain; it often leads to loss of consciousness, violent display of body movements and urinary incontinence. Partial seizures are milder seizures and do not result in loss of consciousness.

Management Of Seizures

Seizures result from a variety of abnormal conditions that affect the body, therefore, a person with recurrent seizures must undergo tests to identify the cause of the seizures. The blood should be sampled and analyzed for potassium concentration, as well as the concentrations of other electrolytes. In some cases, the function of the kidneys and liver may be evaluated. Infections that affect the brain can also lead to seizures, therefore, cerebrospinal fluid, or CSF, analysis and brain imaging studies may be done to ascertain the cause of seizures.