10 Warning Signs of Low Potassium You Can't Ignore
Estimated Reading Time: 9 minutes
|Did you know that, according to the National Institutes of Health, 2–5% of the general population has low potassium levels? What if your body has also been sending you distress signals about low potassium — and you didn't even notice?
Low potassium, also known as hypokalemia, is more common than you think. It affects millions of people worldwide. Our body relies on potassium for essential body functions, from normal muscle contractions to fluid balance. Prolonged low potassium levels can lead to serious health issues such as heart rhythm disturbances and muscle weakness.
However, the real question is how to identify that you are running low on potassium levels. Are there any signs or symptoms of low potassium in the human body? Or the only way to find this out is through a diagnosis.
Don't worry! Here is a blog that explores the 10 signs of low potassium levels in the body and a quick guide about its maintenance.
But First — What Exactly Is Potassium Deficiency?
Potassium is an essential nutrient that our body needs to function normally but can't produce on its own. It acts as an electrolyte that supports cells, muscles, and nerves. In general, the human body gets enough potassium through diet and releases any extra through the excretory system, balancing the optimal levels.
For healthy adults, normal potassium levels range from 3.5 to 5.2 mEq/L (or 3.5 to 5.2 mmol/L). Levels lower than 3 mEq/L (3 mmol/L) are classified as hypokalemia. Let's see what happens when your body is low on potassium.
10 Red Flags That Suggest You're Lacking Potassium
If you listen, your body signals. Here are the 10 signs that your body transmits, indicating low potassium levels. The severity of these symptoms totally depends on how low your potassium is and how long it has been low. In the initial stages, you may not face any symptoms.
Note: Remember, though these symptoms are commonly linked to potassium deficiency, don't rush to conclusions. It's crucial to observe if two or more symptoms recur often.
1. You Experience Unexpected Muscle Cramps
Potassium ions regulate the electrical impulses in the body that facilitate muscle contradictions. A few studies even support the idea that dietary potassium intake may help preserve muscle mass in men. Low potassium levels can disrupt the impulses, resulting in painful muscle cramps, typically occurring in the legs and feet. In severe deficiency, these cramps may be more frequent and intense than normal and can even lead to muscle twitching or spasms.
2. Fatigue and Dizziness Become Your 'New' Normal
As mentioned above, potassium plays a crucial role in muscle function. Therefore, indirectly, it contributes to physical endurance and performance, especially among athletes. Studies show that moderate elevations in extracellular potassium during exercise can have beneficial effects on physiological systems. On the other hand, low potassium levels can lead to muscle fatigue and weakness. In severe cases, it can make even everyday tasks challenging for you.
3. Your Body Often Feels Numb and Tingly
If you are often experiencing tingling or numbness in a certain body area, it can be a sign of fluctuations in potassium levels. In most cases, it is associated with hyperkalemia, a condition of high potassium levels; those with a deficiency or hypokalemia may also face it. Tingling, often described as a 'pins and needles', includes a prickling sensation in your hands, feet, and other parts of the body. Numbness, on the other hand, refers to a loss of sensation in specific areas.
4. Your Gut Is Upset and Unbalanced
While digestive and GIT problems have many causes, they may occur with severe hypokalemia. Potassium assists in cell signaling between the brain and GIT smooth muscles. These signals stimulate contradictions, which are responsible for churning, propelling, and digesting food. Potassium deficiency weakens the digestive system, slowing down bowel movements and making it difficult to pass stools. Poor digestion due to hypokalemia can result in bloating, nausea, and constipation.
5. Your Bathroom Trips Are More Than Usual
If you are noticing a significant increase in urination without any apparent cause, such as changes in fluid intake, it may indicate low potassium levels. Kidneys play a vital role in maintaining proper fluid and electrolyte balance within the body. When potassium levels drop, it impairs the kidney's ability to concentrate urine, causing more excretion. Simply put, with low potassium levels, kidneys can effectively reabsorb water, resulting in polyuria or frequent urination.
6. Suddenly, You Feel Thirsty All the Time
Relate this symptom with the one mentioned above. As the body loses more fluids through the urine due to low potassium, it automatically activates the thirst mechanism. Out of nowhere, you will start feeling more thirsty than usual. Medical professionals define this state as polydipsia. In severe cases, the urge to drink may continue even after consuming adequate water or any other fluid.
7. You Are Noticing Frequent Irregular Heartbeats
An irregular heartbeat can be a potentially serious sign of low potassium levels. The flow of potassium in and out of the heart cells helps regulate heart rhythm. At deficient levels, potassium can disrupt normal heartbeats, leading to heart arrhythmia (which at times can be life-threatening). An electrocardiogram (ECG) test can help you identify the signs of heart arrhythmia, including palpitations, heart flutters, skipped beats, and pounding sensations.
8. Your Blood Pressure Levels Are Too High
Worldwide, an estimated 1.28 billion adults (30-79 years) have high blood pressure or hypertension. You might know the fact that consuming too much sodium can increase blood pressure. But do you know potassium ion helps your body get rid of excess sodium through urination? Potassium deficiency allows the kidney to reabsorb sodium back into the bloodstream, resulting in hypertension. Additionally, potassium also relaxes the blood vessel walls, regulating the flow.
9. Your Breathing Becomes Uncomfortable
Though not a common symptom, severe hypokalemia can lead to breathing problems. Potassium is responsible for the normal muscle contractions and function. Very low levels of potassium can impact the diaphragm movement, and the person may face difficulty breathing. When left untreated for a long time, it can lead to respiratory muscle paralysis, causing respiratory failure.
10. You Struggle With Cognitive Functions
Preliminary studies suggest a potential link between potassium and cognitive function. Low potassium levels may relate to impaired memory, difficulty concentrating, and confusion, even while doing basic tasks. Results? Individuals may experience increased difficulty in performing cognitive tasks, such as problem-solving or decision-making. However, there are still limited human-based studies and trials that confirm the accurate mechanism.
If you're experiencing two or more symptoms, you need to question yourself — why are your potassium levels low?
The Reasons Behind Your Potassium Deficiency
An individual may have potassium deficiency if they don't get enough potassium from their diet or when the body loses too much potassium. Here are the common reasons that may contribute to potassium deficiency:
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Excessive sweating
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Prolonged diarrhea and vomiting
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Eating disorder
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Climate change
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Intense physical exercises
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Alcohol consumption
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Medication such as diuretics, insulin, certain antibiotics and corticosteroids
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Chronic kidney diseases or adrenal disorders
Any of these factors — or a combination of them — can lead to hypokalemia. This raises the question: how to know if you have a potassium deficiency?
When To See A Doctor
If you are observing frequent or severe symptoms of hypokalemia, you must visit the doctor and get your potassium levels diagnosed. Patients with a medical history, such as GIT infection, inflammatory bowel disease, or renal disorders, should regularly get their potassium levels checked.
Diagnosis and Treatment of Potassium Deficiency
Your healthcare provider will set a blood test to diagnose the potassium deficiency and electrolyte balance. The table below indicates the normal and low potassium levels in healthy adults.
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Understanding Potassium Levels |
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In a Healthy Adult |
3.5 to 5.2 mEq/L |
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Mild Hypokalemia |
3 to 3.5 mmol/L |
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Severe Hypokalemia |
<3 mEq/L |
Additionally, the health professional may also order a urine test (urinalysis) or electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG) to learn more about your body signals.
How do you think the doctor will treat your potassium levels? Is it possible to restore the electrolyte balance in your body?
Is It Possible To Treat Hypokalemia?
Hypokalemia treatment is a multifaceted approach. Your doctor or healthcare professional will recommend you treatment based on severity. In the case of mild hypokalemia, they may recommend a potassium supplement or supplement for electrolyte balance.
However, in severe cases, they may give you potassium through your vein (intravenously), as extremely low hypokalemia can cause fatigue, muscle paralysis, and even arrhythmia.
However, if you recognize low potassium levels at an early stage, there's a bright side. You can take some preventive steps:
Preventing Potassium Deficiency — Natural Ways
Prevention is always better than cure. If you want to keep your potassium levels in check, eat a balanced diet enriched with potassium. Include more leafy vegetables, bananas, avocados, lean meat, fish, oranges, dairy products, beans, etc. in your diet. Additionally, don't hesitate to add potassium or electrolyte balance supplements to your regime after a medical consultation.
Quick Recap
When was the last time you thought about your potassium levels? If the answer is 'never,' maybe you need to change it. The above guide will help you recognize the signs of low potassium levels. Remember, your body often signals when something is off — realize it. If you notice persistent symptoms, seek timely medical consultations, especially if you are experiencing prolonged diarrhea and vomiting. By adopting little consistent habits, you can achieve a bigger difference, supporting your overall well-being.
Disclaimer: This content is for informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. Products mentioned are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1. What are the signs of a potassium deficiency?
Signs such as muscle fatigue, constipation, and arrhythmia indicate the possibility of severe hypokalemia.
Q2. Which organ is affected by low potassium?
Low potassium levels may lead to muscle fatigue and chronic respiratory disorders.
Q3. What brings potassium down quickly?
Consumption of diuretics, excessive urination, or sweating can drop potassium levels quickly.
Q4. How to know if you have a potassium deficiency?
To keep a track of potassium levels, you can ask your medical expert to conduct a blood test. They may also review your medical history and medications for precise update.
Q5. Can low potassium levels cause nausea and vomiting?
Yes, low potassium levels can contribute to nausea and vomiting, as potassium is essential for proper digestive function. Persistent symptoms should prompt medical evaluation.
Q6. Are tingling and numbness a sign of low potassium?
Yes, low potassium levels can cause tingling and numbness, especially in the extremities, due to its role in nerve function. Persistent or concerning symptoms should be evaluated by a healthcare professional.
Q7. Can low potassium levels contribute to constipation?
Yes, low potassium levels can contribute to constipation as potassium helps maintain proper muscle contractions in the digestive system. Consultation with a healthcare professional is advisable for consistent bowel movement issues.
Q8. What are the 10 signs of low potassium?
Common signs of low potassium, or hypokalemia, include muscle weakness and cramps, fatigue, irregular heartbeat, nausea and vomiting, tingling and numbness, constipation, mental fatigue and confusion, increased urination, and excessive thirst.
