How Does Potassium Deficiency Occur In The Elderly?

The electrolyte potassium is important to the function of your cells, tissues and organs, and it helps maintain fluid balance. Fresh fruits and vegetables provide the best source for your daily potassium requirement of 2,000 mg. The Food and Drug Administration approves the claim that "diets high in potassium and low in sodium may reduce the risk of high blood pressure and stroke," conditions that are related to age. Too much sodium, typical of Western diets high in salt, may increase your body's need for potassium.

Role

Potassium's major role is maintaining fluid and electrolyte balance and cell integrity. In contrast to sodium, which is found primarily in the fluid surrounding the cells, potassium is a positively charged ion found primarily inside the body's cells. To enable muscle contraction and nerve transmission, potassium and sodium trade places across the cell membrane. The cell then quickly pumps them both back into place. Your body must tightly control potassium distribution because it affects the balance of many body functions, including the ability of your heart to keep a steady beat.

Symptoms

A low potassium level in your blood can be life-threatening and requires medical attention. Symptoms of low potassium include muscle weakness, fatigue or cramps, lack of energy, irregular heartbeat, constipation or abnormal heart rhythms, called arrhythmias. Hypokalemia, an abnormally low serum potassium level, does not generally result from dietary deficiency because there is an abundance of potassium in many foods. Deficiency is more commonly caused by excessive losses in the urine and intestines than by deficient intake, according to Eleanor Whitney and Sharon Rolfes in "Understanding Nutrition." A blood test for low potassium can be ordered by your doctor.

Dehydration

Prolonged diarrhea or vomiting, eating disorders and chronic kidney failure can cause dehydration and lead to low potassium. The hormone aldosterone, secreted by the adrenal glands, regulates potassium concentrations. A condition called primary aldosteronism can cause low potassium. Diabetes may lead to loss of kidney function and result in low potassium.

Drugs

Some prescription drugs decrease your potassium level. Your doctor may test your potassium level and recommend a potassium supplement. Consult your doctor about your use of diuretics, steroids and strong laxatives. If you use some diuretics or water pills that cause potassium excretion, you need to include rich sources of potassium in your daily diet. Some other diuretics are specially formulated to spare potassium.

Medications that may cause a decrease in potassium include thiazide diuretics and loop diuretics used to treat high blood pressure, corticosteroids, antacids, insulin and laxatives. Another potential interaction exists with digoxin, a medication used to treat heart failure and heart arrhythmia, according to the American Heart Association. Older persons should consult their doctors when taking other medications that may affect potassium levels, such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and ACE inhibitors.

Disease

Persons who have irritable bowel syndrome, including ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease, often have difficulty absorbing nutrients in the intestine, As a result, they may have low levels of potassium and other nutrients, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center.

Sources

Good sources of potassium include bananas, orange juice, avocados, cantaloupe, tomatoes, potatoes, fish, chicken and beef. Potassium supplements include tablets, powders, liquids, effervescent tablets, capsules and multivitamins. Consult your doctor before taking potassium supplements to avoid drug-nutrient interactions.