Information About Low Potassium

Potassium is one of the electrolytes found in the cells of the body that helps with muscle and nerve function. Low potassium, or hypokalemia, occurs when the body is depleted of too much potassium. According to the Mayo Clinic, the normal level of potassium in the body is 3.6 to 4.8 milliequivalents per liter. Potassium levels lower than 2.5 milliequivalents per liter require emergency treatment because they are life-threatening. One way to ensure proper potassium levels in by eating potassium-rich foods.

Symptoms

• Symptoms of low potassium include fatigue and weakness, muscle cramps, constipation and heart arrhythmias. Slow reflexes are another symptom of severe low potassium levels.

Causes

• Excretion, or sweating excessively, diuretics, kidney problems, excessive diarrhea and vomiting, endocrine disorders or conditions, using laxatives too often, and lack of potassium in the diet are some of the causes for hypokalemia (see link in References).

Warning

• Anyone who suffers any of the following symptoms should seek medical attention: more than 5 diarrheal bowel movements a day, nausea that will not go away and interferes with life, vomiting more than 5 times in a day, loss of appetite with muscle weakness, any chest pain and palpitations. These are signs of severe low potassium levels.

Treatment

• Treatment options for low potassium levels include potassium and magnesium supplements, eating more high potassium foods, not drinking alcohol or caffeine and specific diuretics that allow the kidneys to keep potassium and get rid of excess water (see link in References).

Potassium-Rich Foods

• Eat foods higher in potassium to increase blood levels if advised by a physician. Foods rich in potassium include beans, artichoke, lentils, baked potatoes, prunes and raisins, spinach and squash (see link in References).