Profound dehydration is one condition that results in a low serum level of the electrolyte potassium. Your doctor diagnoses hypokalemia if your blood level of potassium falls below the normal expected range of 3.6 to 4.8 mEq/L. Because, in some cases, hypokalemia becomes dangerous and even critical, it is important that you understand potential causes of dehydration as well as the symptoms of hypokalemia so that you know when to seek immediate treatment.
Dehydration and Hypokalemia
One important function of your kidneys is to maintain an optimal serum potassium level by filtering excess potassium from your bloodstream and eliminating it through your urine. However, when excess body water loss occurs, you also lose more potassium than normal. Untreated, this water loss leads to dehydration and increases your risk for hypokalemia. If you experience profuse or chronic diarrhea or vomiting, you may become dehydrated. The same is true if you sweat too much while overexerting yourself and do not adequately replace lost fluids and electrolytes. If you take diuretic medications, these can cause excessive urination, resulting in dehydration. You are also at risk if you have an eating disorder like bulimia nervosa.
Symptoms of Low Potassium
Small drops in blood potassium levels tend to be asymptomatic. However, larger drops in serum levels of the electrolyte can quickly lead to dangerous symptoms, which include rhabdomyolysis--a process during which the fibers of your muscles break down, eventually leading to kidney damage and even failure. Paralysis is a symptom of hypokalemia that can involve the lungs and inhibit breathing. You may also experience life-threatening heart dysrhythmias. Other symptoms of low potassium include fatigue, constipation, muscle spasms and muscle weakness.
Treatment
Treatment of low potassium focuses on the underlying cause of the imbalance. In the case of dehydration, expect your doctor to prescribe fluid replacement and medication, if applicable, to treat the cause of any diarrhea, fever or vomiting. If a diuretic is the cause of your dehydration, your doctor will likely prescribe an alternate medication. In addition to fluid replacement, your condition may warrant the need for potassium supplementation, either orally or intravenously. Your doctor will also likely discharge you with instructions to follow a potassium-rich diet plan.
Prognosis
If your hypokalemia causes rhabdomyolysis, your prognosis directly correlates to the amount of kidney damage incurred before correction of the electrolyte imbalance, which is why it is important to seek treatment for hypokalemia at the onset of its symptoms. In cases of milder hypokalemia, potassium supplementation usually resolves the issue. If you allow hypokalemia to progress unchecked, however, the condition can be fatal.
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