Low Potassium Side Effects

In my previous post, I have spoken about methotrexate side effects

Potassium has been noted for the smooth working of several bodily functions and any deficiency could result in low potassium side effects. Although it is seen that the symptoms of low potassium are mild and in many cases vague enough they however need to be treated under proper medical attention.

The kidney is the major organ that controls the excess potassium by removing the excess from the system and flushing it out through the urine. Thus, the overall optimum balance is always maintained in the system and treatment is suggested only when the level is low. The storehouse of potassium is the cells in which 98 % of the mineral is stored.

Low potassium and mild side effects

Potassium is a mineral and is found inside the cells of the human body. It is important as it is a must for proper bodily functions and muscle contraction. Even the muscle of the heart needs to perform properly otherwise the patient would die. Its side effects are rather mild and can be medically treated.

The low levels of potassium in the body are caused by one or more factors for which treatment is suggested. Generally, the use of water pills, earlier illness like diarrhea and chronic laxative abuse are the main reasons why the cells do not have the requisite mineral content and chances of low potassium side effects appears.

Then there are loss of potassium though the stomach and intestines while vomiting and also through enemas. Further, the effects of medicines earlier consumed due to some illness can affect the level of potassium. It is seen that woman in general and the people of African- American origin are the ones who have lower levels of potassium in their body system. It is not fatal to have low potassium yet when a person is involved in some activity, especially outdoor ones then there is risk of fainting or falling off. This can result in fatal accidents and hospitalization.

Importance of potassium in human body

When symptoms of low potassium are seen the patient should see his or her doctor even though the effects may look mild. In most cases there can be more than one symptom which point to the fact that the body’s level of potassium is low. This can be in the form of gastro intestinal tract problems, muscular actions, mild heart problems and nerve problem.

When such symptoms are seen then the person should immediately go to the doctor for check up. The biggest problem with low potassium is the difficulty in diagnosing as rarely do symptoms look very serious. Yet there is always the hidden danger as low potassium can cause weakness as cellular processes are at their lowest ebb.

The low level is known in the medical field as hypokalemia and is easily treated. The medical practitioner takes the routine tests and gets to understand the true picture. He or she then prescribes medication to counter the effect. It is modern practice to take serum or plasma tests as a routine affair whenever the patient is admitted or comes for check up due to some health problems.

Potassium deficiency or its increase, the latter which is known to medical science as hyperkalemia is seen then the doctor prescribes either a diet or medicine or sometimes both. The results of the tests are then analyzed and the patient’s condition is then given the status as mild or serious in nature. In case of low potassium the doctor can suggest diet changes. This may include generous amount of bananas, tomatoes, oranges, cantaloupes and peaches. This may have to be consumed twice or thrice a day or as the doctor so prescribes. In case of acute low levels of potassium medicines can be given or the patient may suffer from low potassium side effects.

Low Potassium Side Effects

These are as stated above mild to vague side effects caused by low potassium inside the cells of the human body. Low potassium is always treatable and hence the patient need not worry about it. Sometimes the causes of low potassium are due to kidney losses or kidney failures in some patients. While for others it may be magnesium deficiencies and for yet some others it can be due to earlier or continuing diseases for which treatment is being carried out.

In the case of leukemia and Cushing’s disease this can have profound effect on the level of potassium in the cells. The immediate side effects noticed are numbness, nausea or vomiting, abdominal creeping and bloating, constipation, feeling of irregular beat in the heart, feeling very thirsty and urinating frequently.

In addition, the patient can suddenly faint while in active state and may suffer from mild depression, psychosis and delirium. In all such cases the doctor must be checked and the patient would have to undergo routine tests. Generally in such conditions driving ones vehicle should be avoided as it may result in accidents.

The medicines are available in different brand names and only the ones the doctor prescribes should be used. It is also mandatory to read the instruction on the package carefully to avoid any low potassium side effects.

In the next post, lets discuss methadone side effects