Hypokalemia

This is one of the most common electrolyte disturbances in outpatient practice. It is caused by many reasons. Some of the causes are listed in the table:

Mild (3–3.5 mmol/l) hypokalemia is characterized by fatigue and general weakness, increased heart rate, muscle weakness, twitching, numbness, pain, increased urination, worsened CD control.

During moderate (2.5–3 mmol/l) hypokalemia, various arrhythmias occur (extrasystole, PV, PP, ventricular tachycardia), acute respiratory failure, hypokalemic nephropathy, central and peripheral nervous system disorders, smooth muscle damage: from constipation to intestinal obstruction, bladder paralysis, and urinary retention.

In severe potassium deficiency, rhabdomyolysis begins.

Treatment: potassium-rich foods (dried fruits, nuts, avocados, bran flakes, beans, spinach, tomatoes, broccoli, carrots, potatoes, bananas, melons, oranges, and ground meat).

Long-acting potassium chloride tablets cause the least side effects and effectively correct hypokalemia. In the hospital, potassium is administered intravenously (with EKG monitoring and blood K concentration control).

Source | Glossary of Most Commonly Used Biomedical Terms and Concepts | Lithuanian University of Health Sciences | Academician Professor Antanas Praškevičius, Professor Laima Ivanovienė