You can have a slight potassium deficiency and never be aware of it, but a potassium level that is significantly lower than normal---a condition called hypokalemia---can be life threatening, according to the National Institutes of Health. If you know the symptoms and causes of a deficiency, you're more likely to keep your potassium level within the normal range. One of the keys to preventing a deficiency is to include plenty of potassium-rich foods in your diet.
Significance
To function properly, your body needs potassium. This nutrient plays a critical role in the function of cells in nerves and muscles, including those in the heart, and is a key factor in helping control blood pressure. To maintain a normal potassium level, an average adult should consume about 4,700 milligrams of potassium daily, according to the American Heart Association.
Identification
A normal blood potassium level, according to the Mayo Clinic, ranges from 3.6 to 4.8 milliequivalents per liter (mEq/L). A potassium level less than 2.5 mEq/L may be life threatening and requires immediate medical attention. A doctor usually discovers a potassium deficiency through blood test results.
Symptoms
A slight potassium deficiency usually produces no symptoms. When the deficiency is severe enough to cause symptoms, the most common include fatigue, constipation, muscle cramps and abnormal heart rhythms. Paralysis can occur, even in the lungs, and muscle fibers may deteriorate.
Causes
Common causes of a potassium deficiency include certain antibiotics, diuretics, diseases of the kidneys, diarrhea and eating disorders such as bulimia. Sweating and vomiting can also cause your potassium level to drop too low.
Treatment
If you have a mild deficiency in potassium, your doctor may prescribe oral potassium supplements. If your deficiency is more severe, you may need to take potassium intravenously. If you're taking diuretics, your doctor may change your prescription to a form that doesn't deplete the body of potassium.
Prevention/Solution
Eating a diet high in potassium can help prevent a potassium deficiency. Foods rich in potassium, as listed by the National Institutes of Health, include bananas, tomatoes, potatoes, bran, peas, beans, Brussels sprouts and peanut butter. Others include granola, peaches, oranges, kiwi, lima beans and milk.
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