Potassium: source, deficiency, overdose, treatment, etc.

Potassium is a mineral found in the food you eat. It is also an electrolyte. Electrolytes conduct electrical impulses throughout the body. They aid in a range of essential body functions, including:

• Blood pressure
• Normal water balance
• Muscle contraction
• Nerve impulse
• Digestion
• Heart rhythm
• pH balance (acidity or alkalinity)

Your body does not naturally produce potassium. Therefore, it is important to consume an appropriate balance of potassium-rich foods and beverages.

Consuming too little potassium can cause serious health problems. However, consuming too much can cause temporary or long-term health problems.

Healthy kidneys maintain normal potassium levels in the body because they excrete excess potassium through the urine.

The most common sources of potassium are foods. Rich sources of potassium include:

Potassium deficiency

• Kidney disease
• Excessive use of diuretics
• Profuse sweating, diarrhea and vomiting
• Magnesium deficiency
• Use antibiotics such as carbenicillin and penicillin

The symptoms of hypokalemia vary depending on the degree of your deficiency.

A temporary decrease in potassium may not cause any symptoms. For example, if you sweat a lot during strenuous exercise, your potassium levels may return to normal after eating or drinking electrolytes to avoid any damage.

However, serious defects can be life-threatening. Signs of potassium deficiency include:

• Extreme fatigue
• Muscle spasms, weakness, or spasms
• Irregular heartbeat
• Constipation, nausea or vomiting

Hypokalemia is usually diagnosed with a blood test. Your doctor may also order a cardiac EKG and arterial blood gas test to measure the pH level in your body.

Potassium overdose

Too much potassium can cause hyperkalemia. This is rare in people who eat a balanced diet. Risk factors for overdose include:

• Taking too much potassium supplements
• Kidney disease
• Long-term exercise
• Cocaine use
• Potassium-sparing diuretics
• Chemotherapy
• Diabetes
• Severe burns

The most obvious symptom of too much potassium is an abnormal heartbeat (arrhythmia). Severe cases can lead to death.

Mild cases of hyperkalemia rarely have obvious symptoms. If you have any risk factors, your doctor should order occasional blood tests.

There are different treatments for potassium imbalance, depending on whether your levels are too high or too low.

Hypokalemia (low)

Potassium supplements are often the first choice for low potassium levels. Supplements are most effective if your kidneys are in good condition.

Severe hypokalemia may require intravenous treatment, especially if you have abnormal heartbeats.

Potassium-sparing diuretics remove excess sodium from the body. This will help normalize electrolyte levels. However, some diuretics and potassium supplements may be harmful to the digestive tract.

Ask your doctor about wax-coated pills to help prevent digestive problems. Potassium-sparing diuretics should only be used in people with normal kidney function.

Hyperkalemia (high)

Mild hyperkalemia can be treated with prescription drugs that increase potassium excretion. Other methods include diuretics or enemas.

Severe cases may require more complex treatment. Kidney dialysis removes potassium. This treatment is the first choice in cases of kidney failure.

For people with healthy kidneys, your doctor may recommend insulin and glucose. These help transport potassium from the blood to cells for removal.

Albuterol inhalers can also reduce dangerously high levels. Calcium gluconate may be used temporarily to stabilize the heart and reduce the risk of serious heart complications caused by hyperkalemia.

What are the prospects for imbalanced potassium levels?

Medical conditions affecting levels should be monitored regularly. If you experience any unusual symptoms, call your doctor.