Potassium is a mineral that is important for your body because it functions as an electrolyte. Low levels of potassium in your blood, also known as hypokalemia, can affect your muscle and heart cells. Sometimes hypokalemia is a result of a condition known as renal tubular acidosis, which can make urination painful.
Hypokalemia Symptoms
Potassium is important because it is electrically charged in your body, which means that cells can use it to modulate and create electrical signals. Abnormally low potassium levels can affect your muscles, causing them to be weak or become fatigued more quickly, MayoClinic.com notes. Hypokalemia can also cause muscle cramping and constipation due to weakness of the muscle in your intestines. One of the more serious symptoms of hypokalemia is an irregular heartbeat, which can be life-threatening.
Kidneys and Potassium Control
One potential cause of hypokalemia is problems with your kidneys. Your kidneys can regulate the levels of many electrolytes in your body, including potassium, by controlling the levels of the electrolytes that are excreted in the urine. Certain kidney problems, including a condition known as renal tubular acidosis, can cause you to lose too much potassium via your urine. Renal tubular acidosis can also make urinating painful and can lower your urine output, the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Disorders states.
Renal Tubular Acidosis
Renal tubular acidosis occurs when the kidneys do not secrete enough acid in the urine, which causes the blood to become acidic. Some conditions, such as lupus, sickle cell anemia, hyperthyroidism and pain medication overdose can cause renal tubular acidosis, the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Disorders explains. It can also be caused by genetic problems such as Fanconi's syndrome, and the use of some medications, such as chemotherapy drugs and amphotecerin B.
Treatment
If your potassium levels get too low, you will need to get potassium supplements to prevent or treat cardiac arrhythmias. Severe cases can be treated with intravenous potassium. The renal tubular acidosis will also need to be treated with medications that neutralize the acid in the blood, Medline Plus explains. If possible, the underlying cause of the kidney problems should be identified and treated.
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