Potassium is a macromineral, meaning your body requires a large amount of it for the proper function of every cell, organ and tissue in your body. It works as an electrolyte, carrying an electrical charge that is necessary for proper heart function. Potassium also plays an important role in skeletal and smooth muscle function for proper bowel and muscle function. Low levels can cause serious health problems.
Potassium Levels
High potassium is called hyperkalemia, and low potassium is called hypokalemia. A blood test can be performed to determine your potassium levels. Certain drugs can interfere with your test results, so your doctor may ask you to stop taking specific medications first.
A normal blood potassium level is between 3.6 to 4.8 mEq/L. The potassium balance in your body depends on how much sodium and magnesium is in your blood. A potassium level of less than 2.5 mEq/L requires emergency medical attention as it can be life-threatening.
Symptoms of Hypokalemia
If you are suffering from hypokalemia, you may experience muscle cramps, fatigue, weakness and intestinal paralysis leading to constipation, bloating and abdominal pains. Hypokalemia can become life-threatening if it is severe leading to arrhythmia, abnormal heart rhythms and muscle paralysis. Emergency medical care is required.
Causes of Hypokalemia
Hypokalemia is most commonly caused by excessive loss of potassium though severe vomiting or diarrhea, and by diuretics. Anorexia, bulimia, steroid use and alcoholism put you at risk. Other medical conditions that can lead to hyperkalemia include chronic kidney failure and other rare kidney disorders, as well as adrenal gland disorders and chronic heart failure. Hypokalemia can be caused by a lack of potassium in your diet, but this is rare, according to Medline Plus. If you habitually consume large amounts of black licorice, which contains a compound that increases urinary potassium secretion, you could be at risk for hypokalemia.
Prevention and Treatment
Risks of hyperkalemia are decreased by eating a diet rich in potassium including bananas, kiwi, peaches, Brussels sprouts, tomatoes, oranges, acorn squash, artichoke, spinach, potatoes with skin on, raisins, prunes, peas and beans, as well as sunflower seeds, almonds, peanuts, milk, raisin bran and molasses. If you have hypokalemia, you should discuss treatment with your doctor, which may include changing medications that cause potassium loss as well as adding potassium supplements. In mild hypokalemia, oral potassium supplements will probably be enough, but in severe cases, you may need to get potassium intravenously. You should only start potassium supplementation upon your doctor's advice.
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