Electrolytes such as potassium are important in the body because they help maintain the small electrical charge that cells need to function properly. Potassium and other electrolytes are especially important for muscle cells and neurons, as these cells need to generate electrical currents to contract and transmit nerve signals. A low amount of potassium in the blood is known as hypokalemia.
Fatigue
One symptom that is associated with hypokalemia, according to the Mayo Clinic, is a general sense of fatigue and weakness. The cells throughout the body have a hard time maintaining the levels of potassium necessary for proper cellular function.
Muscle Problems
Potassium and other electrolytes are also necessary for muscles to contract properly. The Merck Manual notes that low levels of potassium and other electrolytes can lead to muscles cramping or becoming weak easily. In extreme cases, these electrolyte problems can actually cause the muscles to go limp because they can't contract. This can also lead to constipation because the muscles around the intestines that push fecal matter through the digestive tract do not work properly.
Cardiac Problems
Because the heart is a muscle, it also needs potassium and other electrolytes to beat properly. The Pennsylvania State University Medical Center explains that hypokalemia can result in cardiac arrhythmias. Depending on the severity of the low potassium levels, these arrhythmias can range from mild to severe. In extreme cases, they can lead to cardiac arrest.
Neurological Symptoms
Low levels of potassium and other electrolytes can also cause neurological problems because the neurons in the brain also rely on electrolytes to transmit nerve signals. Hypokalemia can lead to confusion as well as a constant feeling of thirst as a result of the dysfunction of the neurons in the brain.
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