Because your body is more than two-thirds water, getting enough fluids in your daily intake is necessary to maintain good health. If you lose more fluids than you take in, you are at increased risk for experiencing dehydration, which can be harmful. Several of the causes associated with dehydration can also have another side effect: decreasing the amount of potassium in your body.
Potassium Significance
Potassium is the most common mineral found inside your cells while sodium is the most common mineral outside your cells. Your body requires potassium for a number of functions, including keeping your heart beating and your nerves communicating properly. Your kidneys are responsible for filtering potassium in your body, and you can lose potassium via your urine and your sweat, which can contribute to dehydration in certain instances. Without enough potassium, you can experience life-threatening side effects, including going into cardiac arrest.
Dehydration Causes
Causes that can result in dehydration that leads to potassium imbalance include sweating profusely or an illness marked by extensive diarrhea or vomiting. These conditions cause you to lose both fluids and potassium very quickly, which can be extremely harmful to your health. You also can experience dehydration and potassium imbalance if you take certain medications, such as diuretics that stimulate the kidneys to release fluids. The two conditions do not always accompany each other, however. For example, you can have a potassium imbalance due to a medical condition such as chronic kidney failure, yet experience no dehydration.
Symptoms
Recognizing the symptoms of dehydration and potassium imbalance is important because they signal the need for you to seek medical treatment. If you have been ill or sweating profusely, pay attention to your body for symptoms like weakness, fatigue, muscle cramping and constipation. A more serious symptom accompanying potassium and water imbalances is an irregular heartbeat, which can indicate your potassium and water levels are very low.
Treatment
When you are ill or exercising, adopting a hydration strategy is important to preventing potassium and fluid losses that can affect your health. You may need to drink a sports drink or other electrolyte-containing beverage to reduce symptoms. Removing yourself from hot temperatures and keeping your skin cool also can help. If your dehydration and potassium imbalances are due to medications, your physician may need to adjust your medication or dosages.
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