Potassium is an essential mineral that helps regulate many of the body's most vital functions, including how the heart, nerves and muscles and kidney work. An electrolyte, potassium also helps regulate the body's fluid balance. Low potassium, or hypokalemia, is a condition in which concentration of potassium in the blood drops below normal levels. Fatigue is one of the most common symptoms of hypokalemia.
Symptoms
Potassium levels in the blood should be between 3.8 and 4.8 milliequivalents per liter, or mEq/L, according to the Mayo Clinic. Levels lower than 3.8 mEq/L can produce symptoms that include fatigue, muscle cramping and weakness and intestinal paralysis that can produce bloating, constipation and abdominal pain. Severe hypokalemia can be life-threatening, causing muscle paralysis or abnormal heart rhythms -- symptoms that require immediate emergency medical care.
Causes
Poor dietary intake of potassium is rarely the cause of hypokalemia, although insufficient consumption can increase the risk of a number of chronic diseases, according to Linus Pauling Micronutrient Information Center. Hypokalemia most often results from excessive potassium loss, which can come illnesses that cause prolonged vomiting and diarrhea. Using diuretic drugs can cause potassium loss, as can the overuse of laxatives. People with eating disorders, such as bulimia or anorexia nervosa, are at high risk of developing hypokalemia, as are those who suffer from congestive heart failure. Magnesium depletion can cause potassium loss, and so can alcoholism and kidney disease.
Treatments
You can treat mild hypokalemia by increasing daily consumption of potassium-rich foods. Bananas and potatoes have high levels of potassium, and so do prunes, raisins, acorn squash, lima beans and spinach. Oranges are a good source of potassium, as are sunflower seeds, almonds and molasses. Potassium supplements can treat mild cases of hypokalemia, as well, but since potassium overdose can have serious health consequences, taking these should be under the supervision of a health care professional. Severe cases of hypokalemia often require potassium to be administered intravenously.
Considerations
Since hypokalemia can be the result many of health problems, it is important to seek medical care to determine and treat the underlying cause of potassium loss. If you experience serious symptoms, such as irregular heartbeat, mental confusion or muscle paralysis, seek emergency medical care immediately, since these can indicate severe hypokalemia -- a condition that can be fatal.
