Potassium is one of six important electrolytes -- sodium, potassium, calcium, magnesium, chlorine and phosphate -- that work together to maintain the right acid-base balance in your body fluids. Sodium and potassium work together to make sure...
A potassium test is common along with testing for other electrolytes in the blood as part of a routine physical. Potassium can be depleted in the body by diarrhea and vomiting or excessive sweating. Kidney disease and some prescription drugs, such...
Low potassium can be a very dangerous medical condition that requires prompt attention. Potassium works in conjunction with other electrolytes, like sodium and chloride, to balance your body fluids, stimulate muscle contraction and maintain the...
Potassium helps the cells function in your body. A low potassium level in your blood, a condition called hypokalemia, often causes symptoms such as tiredness, muscle cramps and changes to heart rhythm, explains MayoClinic.com. You may lose...
Potassium sorbate is a preservative used in a wide array of products, including alcohol, cosmetics and tobacco products. Potassium sorbate is commonly used as a preservative because it is highly effective in preventing the growth of mold, bacteria...
Potassium is an essential nutrient for life. Potassium helps control functions of the nervous system and plays a role in transporting nutrients into cells and waste out of cells. In addition, normal levels of potassium are essential for proper...
Potassium iodate is an oxidizer, added to table salt for a variety of reasons. Preventing iodine deficiency in children and adults, to keep salt fresher longer, and to boost flavor are a few of the advantages. Potassium iodate in its original form...
The normal blood level of potassium, a mineral critical to the function of nerve and muscles cells, is 3.6 to 4.8 milliequivalents per liter, or mEq/L, according to MayoClinic.com. A potassium level higher than 6.0 mEq/L can be dangerous and...
Potassium is a mineral and an electrolyte that helps with cell, tissue and organ function, especially heart function. Maintaining a normal potassium level is essential for good health. Even small changes in potassium levels can have significant...
Random workplace drug testing is conducted under the guidelines established by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. One of the most common testing procedures is urinalysis--testing urine samples of employees or...
Potassium is a mineral necessary for maintaining fluid balance in the body. It is vital for a number of functions, including all muscle contractions. Having too much potassium (hyperkalemia) or too little potassium (hypokalemia) in the body can...
Potassium deficiencies may be difficult to spot because symptoms are usually mild. Unless you have a medical condition or are taking medication that you know affects your potassium levels, there may be no reason for you to suspect that your...
Your body needs certain nutrients, but in many cases there is a maximum level that your body can tolerate. Potassium levels in your blood can become too high, which leads to symptoms and a health problem called hyperkalemia. Your body can have too...
Potassium is a mineral essential to metabolic function and the health of all organs, tissues and cells. Normal levels of blood potassium depend on age, and pregnant or lactating women require moderately higher amounts in the bloodstream. Potassium...
Potassium is a mineral that your body uses to conduct nerve impulses, and assist with fluid and heartbeat regulation. Your body naturally controls your blood potassium levels by excreting excess potassium in your urine; normal blood potassium...
Potassium tests are simple blood tests that are often done as part of an electrolyte level test, but your doctor may order one if you have kidney, heart or other health issues. Though potassium tests aren't painful or complicated, they can reveal...
The body is filled with substances known as electrolytes, which are ions, so they carry a slight electrical charge. The body uses this electrical charge to help cells function properly. Because electrolytes, such as potassium, are so important,...
Although a certain level of potassium is needed to keep the metabolic and electrical processes functioning properly, too much potassium can be a problem. If levels of potassium become too high, serious complications, such as cardiac arrest, can...
Potassium is classified as both a mineral and an electrolyte. The nutrient can prevent osteoporosis, kidney stones and stroke, and helps maintain the balance of fluids within your body. Low potassium, or hypokalemia, is diagnosed when your...
Low levels of potassium in the blood, a condition known as hypokalemia, may be deadly, because potassium is needed for healthy nerve and muscle function. Low potassium may disrupt the heartbeat. Normally, blood levels of potassium are between 3.6...
Potassium is an important mineral known as an electrolyte. Electrolytes carry an electrical charge. Potassium is essential for the electrical activity of your heart, growth of muscles, proper nerve function and helps metabolize carbohydrates. A...
Potassium is one of the electrolytes needed in the body. It plays a role in proper nerve and muscle functioning. Low or decreased potassium levels, known as hypokalemia, can occur as a result of various medical conditions. Although small decreases...
Potassium is an electrolyte that plays a role in digestion, metabolism and muscle tissue regulation, as well as balancing electrical and chemical processes in the body. A higher-than-normal level of potassium in the blood is called hyperkalemia....
Potassium plays an important role in regulating muscle tissue and maintaining the balance of a variety of body processes. Too much or too little potassium affects the way your nerves and muscles function. In particular, excess potassium causes the...
Your body relies on the mineral potassium to effectively perform many functions. Keeping potassium in balance is essential for your health, since too little or too much of the nutrient has adverse effects. You physician will perform a clinical...
Hypokalemia is the medical term for low levels of potassium in the blood. Because potassium is essential for proper nerve and muscle function, very low levels of potassium can cause serious problems. Recognizing the signs and symptoms of low...
You can develop potassium-loss syndrome if you follow a diet that is consistently low in potassium. Kidney disease, excessive vomiting and dehydration can also lead to this syndrome. Low-blood potassium is termed hypokalemia, and it can cause...
Higher-than-normal levels of potassium in the blood, a condition known as hyperkalemia, may cause serious complications. Potassium is an important mineral involved in muscle function, digestion and metabolism. The normal blood level for potassium...
Potassium is a nutrient that children need because it helps regulate blood pressure and protects a child's heart and kidneys. It also plays a role in muscle and skeletal contraction and aids in healthy digestion. If you are concerned that your...
