Question

what are possible cause of low potassium

Answer 1

Possible cause of low potassium.

Low potassium is also called hypokalemia which means there is less potassium in human blood the normal.

To make an individual body function normally it is important to have a balanced level of potassium in the body. potassium is an important mineral which helps in maintaining normal blood pressure and keeps your heart cells healthy.

There are several causes of less potassium than normal level in the human blood and one of the most important reasons can be when there is excessive excretion of potassium takes place from the body through the gastric tract.

Some common reasons for hypokalemia.

1. Excessive vomiting- more than 10 to 15 times vomiting in a day can lead to hypokalemia.

2. Loose stool - Diarrhoea can be the reason of hypokalemia as there is excessive excretion of mineral( magnesium) takes place from the body.

3. taking medications like bronchodilators for respiratory problems such as asthma.

4. Excessive perspiration.

5. Taking diuretics medication for a long time.

6. Abnormal functioning of the kidneys and the glands associated with kidney such as adrenal glands, or if there is some defect in the parts of kidneys.

7. When there is a deficiency of folate and folic acid in the blood.

The complexity with hyperkalemia can be increased in cases like

1. Bartter syndrome.

syndrome in which there is a mutation of a gene takes place in the part of the kidney, which is a loop of Henle, a loop of Henle helps in transportation of minerals and due to the defect in the loop of Henle causes hindrance in the absorption of magnesium and other minerals.

2. Cushing syndrome.

Cushing syndrome is the condition in which the adrenal gland of the kidneys produces excessive aldosterone, in this condition a large amount of potassium is excreted through the body that leads to hypokalemia.

Another syndrome can be Fanconi syndrome and Liddle syndrome.

Treatment of hypokalemia.

A normal level of potassium in the body is 3.5 to 5 meq/ litre.

If level less than 3.5 meq/ litre is seen there is a need for potassium replacement.

1. An iv access with the potassium can improve the level.

2. It is important to record the potassium level after administration of potassium.

3. Discontinue diuretics if potassium level doesn't improve even after replacement.

4. In severe cases such as renal diseases, check for the need for dialysis and other treatments.