Guide To Hypokalemia Symptoms

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.