What is the most common cause of low potassium?
Low potassium (hypokalemia) has many causes. The most common cause is excessive potassium loss in urine due to prescription medications that increase urination. Also known as water pills or diuretics, these types of medications are often prescribed for people who have high blood pressure or heart disease.
What can happen if your potassium level is too low?
In hypokalemia, the level of potassium in blood is too low. A low potassium level has many causes but usually results from vomiting, diarrhea, adrenal gland disorders, or use of diuretics. A low potassium level can make muscles feel weak, cramp, twitch, or even become paralyzed, and abnormal heart rhythms may develop.
How do you treat low potassium?
For people with mild hypokalemia, a doctor may recommend:
- stopping or reducing the dosages of any medicines that can cause low potassium.
- taking daily potassium supplements.
- eating more foods rich in potassium, such as fruits and vegetables.
Why is potassium important for elderly?
Potassium. Getting enough potassium in your diet may also help keep bones strong. This essential mineral is vital for cell function and has also been shown to help reduce high blood pressure and the risk of kidney stones.
How serious is low potassium?
It is critical to the proper functioning of nerve and muscles cells, particularly heart muscle cells. Normally, your blood potassium level is 3.6 to 5.2 millimoles per liter (mmol/L). A very low potassium level (less than 2.5 mmol/L ) can be life-threatening and requires urgent medical attention.
What medications cause low potassium?
Which medications can lower potassium levels?
- Diuretics. Diuretics like furosemide, bumetanide, hydrochlorothiazide, and chlorthalidone are the main medication-related cause of low potassium levels.
- Albuterol.
- Insulin.
- Sudafed.
- Laxatives and enemas.
- Risperdal and Seroquel.
What drink is high in potassium?
Juice from potassium-rich fruit is also a good choice:
- Orange juice.
- Tomato juice.
- Prune juice.
- Apricot juice.
- Grapefruit juice.
What causes low sodium and potassium levels in the elderly?
What Causes Low Sodium in Elderly People? Medications such as diuretics, some types of antidepressants, and anti-seizure medications. Decreased liver, heart, or kidney function. Illnesses that can cause dehydration such as pneumonia.
How many bananas do you have to eat to get your daily potassium?
Adults should consume about 3,500mg of potassium per day, according to the UK’s National Health Service. The average banana, weighing 125g, contains 450mg of potassium, meaning a healthy person can consume at least seven-and-half bananas before reaching the recommended level.
Is low potassium life threatening?
What are the warning signs of low potassium?
Identifying the Signs. Watch for early warning signs. The first signs of moderately low potassium can be muscle aches, cramps and abnormal weakness ((including respiratory and gastrointestinal muscle weakness if severe).
What causes a person to keep losing potassium?
Low potassium (hypokalemia) has many causes. The most common cause is excessive potassium loss in urine due to prescription medications that increase urination. Also known as water pills or diuretics, these types of medications are often prescribed for people who have high blood pressure or heart disease.
What are symptoms of too low potassium?
The most common symptoms of a low blood potassium level are fatigue and muscle weakness, which typically manifest as a decreased ability to perform physical work or exercise. Muscle tenderness, cramps and twitches are also common. With extremely low potassium levels, the muscles may lose the ability to contract, leading to paralysis.
Can diet alone cause low potassium levels?
Avariety of foods contain potassium, which means that diet alone rarely causes low potassium levels . Potassium works closely with sodium to regulate cell function and these two electrolytes must stay in balance. Consuming large amounts of sodium increases your body’s need for potassium.