Guide To Hypokalemia Symptoms

Hypokalemia is a condition characterized by lower than normal potassium in the blood (a potassium deficiency). A blood potassium level of less than 3.5 mmol per liter is considered hypokalemia. This is a serious condition because of the crucial roles potassium plays in several organ systems of the body. While a mild case of hypokalemia can be asymptomatic and show up on a routine blood test, a more severe case of hypokalemia can manifest in a number of symptoms and result in life-threatening conditions.

Arrhythmia

Potassium is extremely important in the muscular functioning of the heart in several ways. There has to be an adequate amount of potassium present in the blood for the muscle cells and the brain to transmit impulses correctly. Where there is not, the muscles do not contract properly, and as we know, the heart is the most important muscle in the body. An arrhythmia is defined as an irregular heartbeat. When potassium levels become to lower in the blood, regions of the body that exhibit high levels of electrical activity, such as the heart, cannot maintain proper communications with the brain, causing abnormalities in the contraction pattern of the heart.

Additionally, the imbalance of electrolytes and fluids in the body is significantly disturbed when there is a lack of potassium. This imbalance can have negative influences on the ability of blood vessels to dilate and contract properly, in addition to the heart's reduced ability to pump properly. This causes an elevation in the blood pressure, which also causes an elevation of the heart rate.

Weakness And Fatigue

It is common for low levels of potassium to cause increased fatigue because of the loss of electrolytes and fluids it induces. When the balance of fluids and electrolytes is disrupted, the processes that synthesize energy conversion are also interrupted. This means there will be less energy for all of the cells in the body to do their functions, effectively making an individual feel very tired. In addition, potassium is a mineral that plays a significant role in muscle contraction regulation.

With the shortage of potassium in hypokalemia, the nerve transmissions between the cells of the muscles and the neurons in the brain do not conduct properly. This means the muscles are unable to create strong contractions. This will result in an individual feeling weakness in the muscles because using them normally takes much more effort than usual. Weakness and fatigue are usually the first symptoms individuals with hypokalemia will experience.

Increased Thirst

The increased thirst that happens due to hypokalemia is a result of frequent urination and loss of fluids. The human body is made of approximately two-thirds water. Around half of all of that water is going to be found in intracellular fluid, the fluid inside of the cells. The other half is going to be found in the blood, between cells, and in the spinal fluids. Extracellular fluid is the term used to define these fluids outside of the cells. Potassium and sodium, also known as electrolytes, play huge roles in the water balance of the intracellular and extracellular fluid.

Potassium controls the quantity of water that is contained within the cells and sodium controls the quantity of water that is outside of the cells. With normal levels of electrolytes, there is a congruent balance of fluid inside and outside of the cells. When this balance is thrown off by a deficiency in electrolytes (like potassium), water gravitates toward the side containing more electrolytes in an attempt to create balance. When potassium levels are low inside of the cell, the water inside of the cell will move into the extracellular fluid, and cause an imbalance with sodium, which then triggers the kidneys to flush out excess water. This increased urine flushing causes dehydration and excessive thirst.

Muscle Twitches Or Cramps

Muscle twitches or cramps happen when the muscles experience abrupt and uncontrolled contractions. Potassium is a major element in the transmission of nerve signals between the brain and muscle cells. Because of inadequate levels of potassium in the blood, those nerve signals get disrupted during transmission process due to poor conductivity. The result of this is the muscle cells may act when they are not supposed to, which causes muscle twitches or spasms.

Another result of the disrupted nerve signals is the muscle cells may not know when to stop contracting, which is otherwise known as a muscle cramp. Potassium also plays a major role in the contraction of muscles because when it moves out of the muscle cells in its fluid balance processes, it can assist in stopping the muscle contractions at the appropriate time.

Constipation

When food is digested, it is digested in two major ways. Chemical digestion of food involves the nutrient absorption and the acid breakdown of the food throughout the digestive tract. Mechanical digestion is the physical actions of the smooth muscles throughout the digestive tract that propel and churn food. Both of these types of digestion must be performing correctly in order for food to be correctly digested and moved through the digestive system.

The absence of adequate potassium will make the impulses from the brain to the digestive system muscles less effective. This causes the mechanical digestion process to slow down significantly. When food is moved through the small and large intestine too slowly, the lining of the large intestine will absorb too much water from it, resulting in constipation. In severe cases, the mechanical functions of the digestive system can become completely incapacitated which can cause a life-threatening bowel obstruction.