Your body requires potassium in adequate levels to prevent health difficulties, as it does with all essential nutrients. Low potassium results in a condition called hypokalemia, a metabolic disorder that can be life-threatening. Rather than an illness itself, hypokalemia is a condition that can lead to several illnesses. In places where starvation is not common, hypokalemia does not occur in the absence of a conducive condition.
Complications
There are several complications that accompany hypokalemia. The initial onset might manifest as constipation, weakness and fatigue, but this can soon progress to muscle cramps and spasms resulting from a breakdown in muscle fibers, abnormal heart rhythms and paralysis. Paralysis in particular can cause respiratory failure leading to death, but it occurs only in especially severe cases. Although the other complications might not be life-threatening, they can lead to long-term damage if left untreated.
Long-Term Complications
Two major complications can result from long-term, untreated hypokalemia. Heart arrhythmia, common during hypokalemia, can cause cardiovascular damage leading to chronic issues and raising the risk for heart attacks. Furthermore, unchecked hypokalemia can result in kidney damage known as hypokalemic nephropathy. This disorder is essentially the presence of a renal system with greatly reduced functionality. Several complications accompany hypokalemic nephropathy, including salt sensitivity, reduced blood filtration and renal lesions, among others.
Causes
Hypokalemia usually results from conditions that typically deplete water-soluble nutrients. Examples include diarrhea, vomiting, sweating, laxative abuse, eating disorders, the use of diuretics, renal failure and chronic aldosteronism. Other factors that can cause hypokalemia are Cushing's syndrome, Bartter syndrome, Fanconi syndrome, Liddle syndrome, consuming large amounts of licorice root and certain antibiotics. The best way to prevent hypokalemia is a balanced and diverse diet with foods that include the nutrient. Such foods include kiwis, bananas, milk, bran, peaches, Brussels sprouts, peanut butter, tomatoes, granola, lima beans and oranges.
Other Considerations
Potassium might be associated with bone health and blood pressure, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. Maintaining adequate levels might reduce the risk of developing osteopenia, osteomalacia, hypertension and stroke, particularly during later years. Children older than 10 and adults should get 2 g of potassium per day. Diets higher in sodium might require more potassium.
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