Low Potassium

[stellabee]

I have been fighting severe lower extremity edema for 3 weeks and due to diuretics dropped my potassium from 4.0 to 3.0 in just a few short days.  I have been taking potassium supplements while on the diuretics, but now I am having some arrhythmias and last night had something that felt like a little quiver.  My question is, how worrisome are these symptoms?  Also, I was hospitalized a few years ago with potassium of 2.4 with severe leg cramps, etc.

[kenkeith]

QUOTE: I am having some arrhythmias and last night had something that felt like a little quiver.  My question is, how worrisome are these symptoms?  Also, I was hospitalized a few years ago with potassium of 2.4 with severe leg cramps, etc

>>>>>We know the electrolyte is needed to regulate neuromuscular activity of the skeletal, cardiac and smooth muscle. So, when the potassium level becomes low, it results in muscle malfunction and muscle twitchings, and you have experienced muscle crapms.

Low Potassium can also cause the heart contracts prematurely.... muscles that assist in breathing become weak and lead to respiratory arrest. The kidneys become unable to concentrate urine and this leads to excessive urination and thirst.

There can be a digestive problem. "The bowel motility is also hindered. If it becomes very slow, there may be signs of a paralytic ileus. This means that the intestines are somewhat paralyzed due to a decrease in the peristalsis. Sometimes low potassium leads to anorexia. In this, there is a decreased sensation of appetite. Presence of adrenal tumors and hypertension cause the renal potassium stores to be depleted and make the person susceptible to hypokalemia. Use of chemotherapy also causes hypokalemia"

Too much insulin secretion can cause hypokalemia because insulin promotes potassium to enter skeletal muscle cells. Be aware that adrenal tumors, congestive heart failure and hypertension predispose a person to hypokalemia because renal potassium stores can be depleted by these conditions.  You may want a doctor to rule out those condition....a diuretic is not the only cause.  Your medication may be over ridden by a medical condition...that may be a consideration you may want assessed.

Thanks for sharing, and if you have any followup questions you are welcome to respond.  Take care.



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[ed34]

Use natural foods, eat a couple of bananas a day. My wife was given potassium supplements and they did nothing, but when she ate 2 bananas a day, her levels returned to normal. The body is so much better at obtaining its requirements from natural foods.