Potassium is an essential mineral that you get from food. Having a lower than normal amount of potassium in your blood can cause symptoms such as fatigue and muscle weakness. Dizziness and fainting can signal serious dehydration, which leads to the loss of potassium and other electrolytes. An acute drop in potassium can be life-threatening.
Potassium
Your cells, especially your nerve and muscle cells, require potassium to function correctly. Normal potassium levels range from 3.6 to 4.8 milliequivalents per liter, or mEq/L. According to the Mayo Clinic, a potassium level of less than 2.5 mEq/L is dangerous and requires emergency medical help.
Fainting
You faint when not enough blood reaches your brain because your heart rate is too slow or too fast, or your blood pressure is too low. Except in cases where a fainting episode is easily explained---for example, you've donated blood on a hot day---fainting is a worrisome sign and you should have your doctor check out possible causes, according to Dr. Sanjay S. Deshpande, a cardiac electrophysiologist at Columbia St. Mary's Hospital in Milwaukee.
Causes of Low Potassium
Because so many foods contain potassium, few people need to take potassium supplements. Any situation or condition that causes your body to lose fluid can lead to low potassium levels, or hypokalemia. For example, exercising strenuously without replacing fluids, vomiting, diarrhea, eating disorders such as bulimia, diuretic drugs and certain antibiotics can all cause potassium loss. So can diseases that affect the kidneys' ability to store potassium.
Symptoms
Low potassium levels can cause fatigue, weakness, muscle cramps, constipation and, if the amount of potassium drops too much, heart arrhythmia. Fainting is one of the symptoms of serious dehydration, which leads to potassium loss. Anyone who may be dehydrated and faints should get immediate medical help.
Potassium Sources
Many foods supply potassium, so it's rare to lack potassium in your diet. Poultry and fish, fruits, vegetables, milk and yogurt, and beans supply potassium. Excellent sources of potassium include sweet potatoes and regular potatoes, especially if you eat the skin; orange juice; milk; tomatoes, especially in concentrated form such as tomato paste; and bananas. Peeling, boiling and draining vegetables can all reduce potassium. For example, a medium baked potato eaten with the skin supplies more than 900mg of potassium, while the flesh alone provides 600mg. Lightly steam, bake or saute vegetables and eat them with the peels whenever possible.
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