Irritable bowel syndrome or irritable bowel disease refers to a number of conditions that affect the intestines. Examples of IBS-related conditions include Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis. These conditions can cause a number of side effects, ranging from frequent nausea and diarrhea to having low potassium levels in the blood, a symptom known as hypokalemia. Understanding the symptoms of hypokalemia can help you identify if they affect you.
Nutrient Absorption
One of the reasons IBS may affect potassium levels in your body is due to the symptoms associated with IBS. For example, IBS sufferers typically experience more frequent bouts of diarrhea, meaning stool moves more quickly than is normal through the intestines. As a result, your body may not absorb as many nutrients, including potassium, from food as a person who does not have IBS. Because diarrhea is a contributing factor to low potassium levels, talk to your physician if you experience this symptom frequently.
Symptoms
Borderline-low potassium levels due to IBS may not always cause symptoms. However, it is good to know the symptoms of hypokalemia to help you identify a potential deficiency. Symptoms include muscle weakness, unexplained feelings of fatigue, muscle cramping and upset stomach. You may attribute these symptoms as side effects of your IBS when they are due to low potassium levels. At its worst, low potassium levels can cause serious symptoms like an irregular heartbeat. This can weaken your heart muscle, which can affect your overall heart function.
Diagnosis and Medications
If you suspect you have low potassium levels due to IBS, your physician can perform a simple blood test to determine your overall levels. If you are potassium deficient, your physician can recommend a number of treatment options. One example is a potassium supplement, which can increase your overall daily potassium intake and is absorbed before it reaches your small intestine.
Dietary Options
Another option if you have low potassium levels due to hypokalemia is to increase your intake of potassium-containing foods. Fruits and vegetables tend to be highest in potassium, but these can aggravate your stomach if you have IBS. The University of Pennsylvania Medical Center Health System recommends eating foods like avocados, bananas, fish, nectarines, apricots and potatoes if you have IBS and need to incorporate potassium in your diet. You also may wish to increase your intake of fiber-containing foods like applesauce, barley, carrots, green beans and oats, which help to reduce the occurrence of diarrhea that can affect your potassium levels.
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