Potassium Deficiency May Lead To Dangerous Health Problems, Know The Symptoms Early!

There are so many bad effects of potassium deficiency in our body, can even be fatal. Early symptoms of calcium deficiency or called hypokalemia is weak and limp. A doctor said that, the body is weak and limp (eg, can not lift leg like a paralyzed) could be symptoms of a person exposed to hypokalemia. This disorder should not be ignored, because potassium determines cardiac muscle work. Potassium is the major component that determines the electrolyte balance in the body work. These substances are needed as much as 3.5-5.5 mEq per liter of blood. Potassium can be found in various types of daily food, such as bananas.



We can determine the levels of potassium in the body through blood tests. If the result is less than 3.5 then the condition is hypokalemia. Furthermore, we can test if the kidneys do not experience vomiting or diarrhea. Additional potassium normally required for patients taking diuretic medications (diuretics). When potassium deficiency occurs in large numbers, usually the patient will be given a potassium salt, which is taken orally. But salt is given in small doses several times a day, to avoid gastrointestinal irritation. Potassium can also be given through an IV, which can only be done in the hospital. This is to avoid the increase potassium too high which is harmful to the patient.

Actually, the signs of potassium deficiency can be seen, there are some signs if someone is deficient in potassium, including: 
  • Limp and muscle cramps: Potassium is essential for muscle health condition. Potassium deficiency causes us to become limp, listlessness and cramping sometimes occur in some parts of the body. 

  • Paralyzed: If the signs of potassium deficiency such as fatigue and muscle cramps allowed to drag can be fatal (paralysis).

  • Muscle damage: Paralysis due to potassium deficiency can cause some muscle becomes damaged. Even worse can lead to all the contents in the muscles out and this condition known as rhabdomyolysis. 

  • Flatulence: The muscles of the stomach will not function if the maximum intake of potassium is too low and the effect is pain, bloating, cramping and pain in the stomach. 

  • Impaired heart: As we know that potassium is very influential on the performance of muscle including the heart muscle. With a low level of potassium can lead to performance that makes the heart muscles become impaired.

  • Kidney Disorders: Kidney will lose the ability to process urine. As a result, the body will be the excess amount of water and discharge excess water in the body causes dizziness, nausea, fainting. 

  • Tingling: With the disruption of the circulation of the blood due to deficiency of potassium, often times we will feel tingling and numbness.

Adverse effects of potassium deficiency

  1. Difficulty sleeping and irritability      
  2. Muscle pain, muscle weakness and cramps.      
  3. Hyponatremia is accompanied by anxiety.      
  4. Disorders that result in nerve transmission to confusion and delirium.      
  5. Tingling and numbness in the arms and legs.      
  6. Cardiac arrhythmia is an abnormal rate of muscle contractions in the heart.      
  7. Related skin problems such as dry skin and acne.      
  8. Temporary memory loss or other problems such as a weak memory, difficulty in concentration, and so on.      
  9. Paralysis of the intestine and lungs      
  10. Heart-related problems such as heart damage.      
  11. Increased blood pressure.      
  12. Experiencing ear noise.      
  13. The digestive system can be affected and cause constipation.
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Writen by: Mr Soed - Wednesday, April 23, 2014