It's a good idea to recognize the symptoms of low Potassium.
Your nerves and muscles are affected by your potassium level.Most of the body's potassium is inside cells and the level in the bloodstream is normally maintained within a specific range.Hypokalemia is a medical condition in which your potassium levels are low.There will be physical difficulties for people with hypokalemia.
Step 1: There are early warning signs.
The first signs of low potassium are muscle pains.If severe, you may experience respiratory and gastrointestinal muscle weakness.Muscular muscles have difficulty in contracting due to low levels of potassium in the body.If you feel unwell, you should be checked by a physician right away.
Step 2: It's a good idea to get a diagnosis early on.
It can affect the heart.Change in its function can be caused by low potassium levels.In severe cases, irregular heartbeats can be dangerous.Structural and functional changes can be caused by low potassium.The symptoms of too much potassium when serious are heart palpitations, muscle pain, weakness, or numbness, abnormal heart rate, possibly cardiac arrest and death.
Step 3: It's a good idea to be aware of circumstances that can lead to low potassium.
If you are experiencing any of the following, then you may need to have your potassium levels tested.A basic metabolic panel of tests, including ones for electrolytes, are included in this test.Depending on your situation, your doctor may want you to have a comprehensive metabolic panel, which adds liver function tests to the basic panel.
Step 4: You should have your level checked.
The normal range for a level of less than 3.5 millimoles per liter is 3.6-5.2mmol/L.The blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and creatinine levels can be included in a blood test.Digitalis can affect heart rhythm, so patients need to have their digoxin level checked.
Step 5: Have an electrocardiogram.
The heart will be monitored for signs of damage or other problems.If you have a lot of hair, the doctor will place 12 electrical leads on your arms, chest and legs and shave parts of your skin.The leads transmit electrical information about the heart to a monitor.It may be necessary to repeat the electrocardiogram for the patient.Low magnesium levels may be related to low potassium levels.This could prolong the intervals on the EKG.
Step 6: Discuss the use of diuretics with your doctor.
The use of diuretics can contribute to low potassium.High blood pressure can be treated with diuretics.If these are leading to low potassium, you may need to talk to your doctor about an alternate medication.Furosemide and hydrochlorothiazide are part of the class of diuretics.High blood pressure can be alleviated by increasing the urination rate.The minerals can be hard to maintain due to their excretion from the body in the urine.
Step 7: Evaluate your lifestyle for possible causes.
Some causes of low potassium can be prevented by lifestyle changes.If you drink too much, use too many laxatives, or sweat a lot, you could be causing your low potassium.Talk to a medical professional if you want to change your habits.If you don't feel you can drink less on your own, you may need to seek treatment for alcohol addiction.Talk to your doctor about ways to reduce your reliance on laxatives.You may need to change your environment if you sweat a lot.Taking medical steps to sweat less may be necessary.Chronic kidney disease, diabetes, aldosteronism, and antibiotic use are some of the conditions that can lead to low potassium.
Step 8: Get tested for other conditions.
It can be an indicator of other serious medical conditions.Low potassium can be caused by chronic kidney disease and diabetes.There are other conditions that can lead to low potassium, such as a deficiency of folic acid or stomach ailments.Hypersteronism can lead to hypertension and hypokalemia.
Step 9: Your diet needs to be adjusted.
Eating foods with high levels of potassium is the best way to increase your level.It's a good idea to talk to your doctor if you want to take a potassium supplement.Bananas, tomatoes, potatoes, beans, and peas are some of the high-potassium foods.