Potassium belongs to the category of macronutrients, without which human existence is impossible. The cardiovascular, muscular and endocrine systems react sharply to the deficiency of the mineral, potassium channels in the brain play an important role in the processes of memory and learning. According to statistics, every fifth inhabitant of the Earth at least once encountered symptoms of hypokalemia. The main task of etiotropic therapy is to determine the cause of the disorder as early as possible and begin to restore the water and electrolyte balance in the body.
Medical certificate
A decrease in the concentration of potassium in the blood plasma below 3.5 mmol/l, with the established norm from 3.5 to 5.5 mmol/l, indicates hypokalemia. The indicator depends on the age, gender of the patient, climatic conditions. The level of the mineral in expectant mothers fluctuates in accordance with the gestational age. A woman loses a lot of blood during childbirththerefore, moderate hypokalemia in the puerperal period is considered a variant of the norm.
The lion's share of potassium (up to 90%) is in the intracellular space, blood and bone tissue contain the remaining 10%. The macroelement is responsible for the normalization of blood pressure, coordinates the heart rhythm, increases physical endurance and stress resistance, and helps to eliminate toxins and allergens from the body. Below we will discuss the methods of diagnosis, symptoms, causes and treatment of hypokalemia.
Diagnostic measures
The level of serum potassium is determined using a biochemical blood test. In order to clarify the etiology of hypokalemia, the concentration of sodium, magnesium and nitrogenous compounds (creatinine and urea) in blood plasma is calculated. Additional data can be obtained from the study of acid-base balance (ABR) and the volume of extracellular fluid. Some changes in the ECG, namely depression of the ST segment, flattening of the T waves, the appearance of a pronounced U wave, indicate a macronutrient deficiency.
An important role in the diagnosis is played by the questioning and physical examination of the patient. The clinical symptoms of hypokalemia in young children are more difficult to recognize, since they cannot yet clearly characterize their condition. A urine chloride test will confirm or rule out Bartter syndrome.
Hypokalemia: symptoms of the disease
At an early stage of hypokalemia, pathological weakness and dizziness are felt. Macronutrient deficiency affectsclarity of mind, manifested by apathy, anxiety-phobic disorders. Since the targets of hypokalemia are cells of muscle and nervous tissue, patients become distracted, irritable, problems with memory and concentration occur, and efficiency decreases.
Clinical symptoms of hypokalemia include:
- Muscle weakness.
- Hypotension.
- Poor appetite, dyspepsia (nausea, vomiting, diarrhea).
- Insomnia, headache.
- Dry skin and brittle hair.
- Hand tremor, nervous tics.
- Convulsions and paralysis of limbs.
As a rule, in children and adults diagnosed with "hypokalemia" the volume of urine excreted per day increases. With nocturia, sleep patterns are disturbed, which leads to increased fatigue during the daytime. A macronutrient deficiency adversely affects the motor activity of the gastrointestinal tract: the smooth muscles of the intestine lose their tone, relax, problems arise with the digestion of food, and the reservoir and evacuation functions of the stomach are disturbed. Symptoms of hypokalemia can be confused with the usual overwork, food poisoning or beriberi, so doctors strongly recommend donating blood for biochemistry at least once a year.
Etiological factors
Potassium deficiency in the body is associated with insufficient intake of the mineral from food or its redistribution between cells and extracellular fluid with the on / in the introduction of epinephrine, insulin,the use of folic acid and vitamin B12. Quite often, hypokalemia is the result of excessive loss of potassium through the gastrointestinal tract or kidneys (vomiting, indigestion, taking diuretics).
In addition, the development of symptoms of hypokalemia is due to:
- Metabolic alkalosis.
- Primary or secondary hyperaldosteronism.
- Chronic heart failure.
- Cirrhosis of the liver.
- Thyrotoxicosis.
- Hypomagnesemia.
- Prolonged aspiration of stomach contents.
- Excess of hormones of the adrenal cortex in Itsenko-Cushing's syndrome.
Prolonged depression and psycho-emotional overload lead to hypokalemia. A rare hereditary disease called paroxysmal myoplegia is characterized by a sharp decrease in serum potassium levels during an attack. The high-risk group includes patients suffering from hypertension, diabetes mellitus, anorexia nervosa, malabsorption syndrome. People over 65 years of age, as well as pregnant and lactating women, need to know what are the symptoms of hypokalemia in humans, what it is and how to prevent further development of the disease.
False hypokalemia
Long workouts in the gym, unbalanced diet, including debilitating weight loss methods, decreased or no appetite, dehydration and constant stress affect the concentration of potassium in the blood plasma. Women over 50 experience symptoms of hypokalemia due to hormonal changes in the body. Asthma, exacerbation of COPD (chronicobstructive pulmonary disease), heart failure and some other pathologies of the cardiovascular system are accompanied by a massive release of catecholamines into the blood, the excess of which leads to pseudohypokalemia. Alcoholic drinks, a large number of sweets, strong tea and coffee interfere with the natural absorption of the macronutrient.
The association between symptoms of hypokalemia and treatment of diabetic ketoacidosis is explained by the infusion of exogenous insulin, which temporarily reduces serum potassium levels. Patients with severe leukocytosis should be prepared for a false positive result. During long-term storage of blood tubes under in vitro conditions, isolated white blood cells quickly capture K⁺ from the incubation medium. In rare cases, hypokalemia is associated with the systematic eating of clay (lithophagy). In the past, the phenomenon was encountered in "hungry" times, now the eating disorder is observed exclusively in children and pregnant women.
Potassium deficiency in pets
Muscle weakness is the main symptom of hypokalemia in dogs and cats. Animals are reluctant to move, stoop, their gait becomes uncertain, their appetite decreases or disappears altogether. Potassium deficiency is also manifested by ventroflexion of the neck (forced position of the head no higher than the level of the withers). Up to 30% of cats with chronic renal failure are hypokalaemic.
The concentration of electrolyte in the blood is regulated by aldosterone, with increased synthesis of the hormonethe kidneys are unable to retain potassium. Why symptoms of hypokalemia are so common in Burmese cats is unknown. It has only been established that the defect is inherited in an autosomal recessive manner. As in humans, the mineral is excreted from the body of the animal through the kidneys, so potassium in the daily diet should be enough to replace its loss in the urine.
Medicated approach
Treatment of hypokalemia is mainly aimed at correcting the macronutrient deficiency and addressing the underlying cause of the disorder. Vomiting is successfully stopped with the drugs "Motilac", "Cerukal" or "Metoclopramide", in case of indigestion, antidiarrheal symptomatic drugs are prescribed ("Loperamide", "Imodium", "Diara" and others). Endocrine or autoimmune pathologies are treated with hormones, in particular corticosteroids. Diuretic tablets like Triamterene or Spironolactone do not affect potassium excretion, so they can be safely prescribed to patients who need diuretics.
With a deficiency of a mineral in the body, potassium replacement therapy gives excellent results:
- "Asparkam". One of the most affordable drugs from the metabolic group. "Asparkam" compensates for the lack of magnesium and potassium in the cells, restores the pH balance. If you drink the medicine 30 minutes after eating, then the acidic environment of the stomach will not affect its effectiveness.
- "Potassium orotate". Non-steroidal agent involvedin lipid, protein and carbohydrate metabolism, strengthens the heart muscle. To get rid of the symptoms of hypokalemia, tablets are taken on an empty stomach at the rate of 10-20 mg per 1 kg of body weight per day.
- "Panangin". The heart is hard to tolerate a lack of potassium. "Panangin" normalizes heart rate, stimulates coronary blood flow, prevents the development of atherosclerosis, myocardial infarction.
- "Kalinor". Potassium in Kalinor effervescent tablets is present in the form of citrate monohydrate and bicarbonate. The combined remedy is prescribed for hypokalemia (less than 3.2 mmol / l), disorders in the work of the neuromuscular apparatus, cardiac arrhythmia.
Liquid forms of potassium s alts are worse for patients than tablets or capsules. Invasive administration of drugs can lead to rebound hypokalemia, or cause a sharp increase in the concentration of the mineral in the blood. Usually, solutions of potassium chloride, potassium citrate or potassium bicarbonate are used for intravenous injections. The dosage is selected strictly on an individual basis. Uncontrolled intake of medications threatens with gastric bleeding, convulsions, blockade of the cardiac conduction system. With the development of life-threatening symptoms of hypokalemia, treatment is carried out in a hospital.
Advice from traditional healers
Liquid dosage forms are quite popular among homeopaths: extracts, infusions, decoctions, etc. Tincture of belladonna, sage, centaury, eleutherococcus extract, St. John's wort and meadow clover provoke an increased secretion of gastric juice, thereby excitingappetite. Parsley, lemongrass fruits, raspberry, mint and nettle leaves are rich in vitamin A and tocopherol, which improve the condition of hair, nails, and exhibit wound healing properties. In case of hypokalemia, include salads from sauerkraut, onions or pre-soaked dandelion leaves in the daily menu, but licorice root, on the contrary, helps to remove the mineral from the body, destroys muscle tissue.
Several effective traditional medicine recipes:
- Infusion based on hawthorn. Brew 1 tbsp. a spoonful of dried and crushed hawthorn fruits 200 ml of boiling water. Infuse the product in a thermos for about 2-3 hours. After the specified time, strain the liquid through a 3-layer gauze or strainer. With hypokalemia, it is recommended to drink an infusion of 2 tbsp. spoons 3-4 times a day.
- Decoction of rose hips. Pour cinnarodium (1 tablespoon) with a liter of boiled water. Protomite the raw material for 5 minutes in a water bath. Remove the saucepan from the stove and leave in a dark, cool place for 24 hours. The drink is consumed in 0.25 cups before meals. Rosehip decoction gently relieves the symptoms of hypokalemia in children and adults, stimulates hematopoiesis, and speeds up metabolism.
- Beet tops. To prepare a medicine for hypokalemia, pour 1 tbsp. l. finely chopped beet leaves with a glass of boiling water. An hour later, the drink is ready to drink. To increase the concentration of potassium in the blood, take 50 ml of infusion per day.
Features of food
Potassium, translated from Arabic,means "plant ash", since the main source of the macronutrient is plant products. Potassium compounds enter the body mainly with food, or in the form of dietary supplements. The recommended daily allowance for adults is 1,800 - 5,000 mg. Potassium is necessary for normal growth, physical and mental development of the child. The daily requirement of children for an essential mineral is 600 - 1,700 mg, in other words, from 16 to 30 mg per 1 kg of body weight.
For hypokalemia, include in the diet:
- Fresh fruits and greens (avocados, kiwi, bananas, apricots, peaches, spinach, parsley).
- Milk.
- Beans.
- Tomato products.
- Potatoes, carrots, cucumbers.
- Sea fish (pollock, salmon, horse mackerel, sprat, tuna).
- Cauliflower and white cabbage, broccoli.
- Bran baked goods.
For heart support, you can prepare a nutritious mixture of prunes, raisins, walnuts and dried apricots. To do this, mix chopped nuts and dried fruits in equal proportions, add honey to taste. Chocolate contains natural stimulants of the nervous system - potassium and magnesium, as well as iron, calcium, vitamins of group B. Compotes, freshly squeezed juices, especially grape, orange, lemon and carrot juices, will bring invaluable he alth benefits.
Symptoms of hypokalemia and hypomagnesemia in humans are largely similar. Ironically, both macronutrients are abundant in marinecabbage, cereals, avocados, lentils, cocoa powder, cottage cheese and sour cream, so the listed products can be safely consumed until the diagnosis is clarified. It is important that potassium is retained in cooked dishes in full. Give preference to fresh and baked fruits, steam cutlets from fish or meat. Jacket potatoes hold the record for mineral content among vegetables. Note that during heat treatment, most of the potassium dissolves in water, therefore, the products must be boiled in a minimum amount of liquid.
How to prevent violations
The complex of preventive measures includes the organization of a proper diet, moderate physical activity. Avoid low-calorie diets (less than 800 kcal per day), when cooking legumes, fruits and vegetables, do not violate the rules of heat treatment. Observe the optimal rhythm of sleep and wakefulness, give up bad habits. If possible, replace diuretics that promote the removal of micro- and macroelements from the body with potassium-sparing diuretics. As a result of rupture of muscle fibers, a large amount of potassium is released from myocytes, therefore, power and traumatic sports are strictly prohibited in case of hypokalemia.
So, we got acquainted with the features of the treatment of hypokalemia, the causes, signs and symptoms of electrolyte imbalance. It is not recommended to ignore the problem - the lack of competent and timely therapy threatens with glycoside intoxication, acid-base imbalance, depletion of the insular apparatus, and other complications. At the firstalarming calls, reconsider your attitude to lifestyle, he alth in general, in no case self-medicate. Be smart and take care of yourself!
