A deficiency in any nutrient, whether it's a vitamin, mineral, carbohydrate, protein or lipid, is malnutrition. It can have several causes, from a poor or limited diet to unhealthy habits. Hypokalemia, which is a potassium deficiency, is a sort of malnutrition; but as a distinct condition, it does share some characteristics with malnutrition. Moreover, hypokalemia frequently accompanies malnutrition that involves more than one nutrient.
Malnutrition
Malnutrition is a deficiency in one or more nutrients due to a poor or absent diet, digestion or absorption problems and medical conditions or the medicine necessary to manage them. Every nutrient is essential; malnutrition causes severe health complications. However, malnutrition can also be mild enough to exhibit no symptoms and cause no short-term complications. Malnutrition is most common in developing countries, but can also occur as a result of natural disasters, epidemics, poverty, political turmoil and war.
Hypokalemia
Hypokalemia is a metabolic disorder resulting from a potassium deficiency. Potassium is water soluble, so the body filters excess from urine. Consequently, you require potassium from your food every day. Malnutrition can easily result in hypokalemia, but other risk factors include antibiotics, medications and glycyrrhetinic acid -- a substance that appears naturally in licorice root, but is banned from the candy in the United States. Symptoms include constipation, fatigue, abnormal heart rhythms, muscle weakness, spasms, muscle atrophy and paralysis.
Causes of Both
Hypokalemia is a specific form of malnutrition, but there are certain conditions that can result in general malnutrition, but are particularly conducive to hypokalemia, as well. Examples include bulimia, excessive sweating or vomiting, kidney diseases and diarrhea. Both general malnutrition and hypokalemia are individually treatable by diet alterations and supplementation.
Considerations
Both conditions are a risk factor for the other. In other words, hypokalemia can result in a more complex case of malnutrition, while malnutrition associated with other nutrients can lead to hypokalemia. As an indirect example, the body requires calcium to help regulate potassium levels. Sharp rises in calcium during treatment can lead to a potassium deficiency. It is important to check for all deficiencies comprehensively when suffering from malnutrition and for hypokalemia especially, as it often causes no symptoms until it becomes life threatening.
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