Low potassium, a disorder known as hypokalemia, is a dangerous serum electrolyte imbalance associated with several causes and symptoms. One of the causes of the condition is diarrhea, particularly if the diarrhea is excessive. If you experience diarrhea, understanding your risk factors for, as well as the symptoms of, hypokalemia allows you to make informed decisions about your care and decreases your chances of developing potentially life-threatening complications.
Hypokalemia
Measured in milliequivalents per liter, a healthy serum potassium level is between 3.7 mEq/L and 5.2 mEq/L. A potassium measurement lower than 3.7 mEq/L indicates hypokalemia. Potassium is necessary for normal heart function, and a low level of the electrolyte--if not treated--is associated with increased activity of your heart, which leads to a dangerous and irregular rate and rhythm of your heart beat. In addition to diarrhea, other causes of low potassium include vomiting, sweating, a magnesium deficiency and diabetic medications. Disorders impairing the ability of your kidneys to retain potassium include Fanconi syndrome, hyperaldosteronism and Cushing syndrome.
Symptoms
Hypokalemia causes several adverse effects, including weakness of your muscles and muscle cramping. Hypokalemia also increases your risk of muscle damage due to a process called rhabdomyolysis. You may notice that you are more fatigued than usual, or that you are constipated. Paralysis is a potential manifestation of hypokalemia. This paralysis can involve your lungs, affecting your ability to breathe. A low potassium level also increases your risk for an irregular heart rhythm or rate, which is a life-threatening complication.
Testing
A doctor's suspicion of hypokalemia warrants additional testing. Your doctor will likely order a blood test for a precise measurement of your serum potassium. Also, expect your doctor to order additional blood tests, including a comprehensive metabolic panel and an arterial blood gas analysis. Measurements of blood sugar levels, aldosterone, sodium, calcium, thyroxine and phosphorus provide vital information to your doctor regarding the severity of your overall condition. You may also undergo an electrocardiogram, which is a test to detect any abnormalities of your heart function.
Treatment
Severe cases of excessively low hypokalemia require emergency intervention to prevent the development of potentially fatal complications. In an emergency situation, your doctor administers a potassium preparation intravenously. If you have only mild hypokalemia, oral potassium supplementation may be the only required intervention. To prevent future episodes of the electrolyte imbalance, expect your doctor to discharge you with instructions for a potassium-rich diet. High-potassium foods include oranges, spinach, wheat germ, tomatoes, milk, bananas, avocados, carrots, peas, beans and kiwi fruit.
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