Hypokalemia: Difference between revisions
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{{Infobox medical condition | |||
| name = Hypokalemia | |||
| image = [[File:LowKECG.JPG|left|thumb|ECG changes in hypokalemia]] | |||
| caption = ECG changes in hypokalemia | |||
| field = [[Endocrinology]], [[Nephrology]] | |||
| synonyms = [[Hypokalaemia]], [[Hypopotassemia]] | |||
| pronounce = | |||
| symptoms = [[Muscle weakness]], [[fatigue]], [[constipation]], [[arrhythmias]] | |||
| complications = [[Paralysis]], [[rhabdomyolysis]], [[respiratory failure]] | |||
| onset = | |||
| duration = | |||
| types = | |||
| causes = [[Diuretics]], [[vomiting]], [[diarrhea]], [[hyperaldosteronism]] | |||
| risks = | |||
| diagnosis = [[Blood test]] | |||
| differential = [[Hyperkalemia]], [[hypomagnesemia]], [[hypocalcemia]] | |||
| prevention = | |||
| treatment = [[Potassium supplements]], [[dietary changes]] | |||
| medication = | |||
| prognosis = | |||
| frequency = | |||
| deaths = | |||
}} | |||
'''Hypokalemia''' is a medical condition characterized by lower than normal levels of [[potassium]] in the circulating [[blood]]. Potassium, an essential [[electrolyte]], plays a crucial role in a range of vital physiological processes, including nerve cell function, muscle cell contraction, and maintaining heart rhythm<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Weber |first1=C. Thomas |title=Hypokalemia |journal=The New England Journal of Medicine |volume=371 |issue=8 |pages=774–776 |year=2014 |doi=10.1056/NEJMc1406591 |pmid=25140970}}</ref>. | '''Hypokalemia''' is a medical condition characterized by lower than normal levels of [[potassium]] in the circulating [[blood]]. Potassium, an essential [[electrolyte]], plays a crucial role in a range of vital physiological processes, including nerve cell function, muscle cell contraction, and maintaining heart rhythm<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Weber |first1=C. Thomas |title=Hypokalemia |journal=The New England Journal of Medicine |volume=371 |issue=8 |pages=774–776 |year=2014 |doi=10.1056/NEJMc1406591 |pmid=25140970}}</ref>. | ||
[[File:ECG Pattern Of Hypokalemia.png|thumb|ECG Pattern Of Hypokalemia]] | [[File:ECG Pattern Of Hypokalemia.png|left|thumb|ECG Pattern Of Hypokalemia]] | ||
==Clinical Manifestations== | ==Clinical Manifestations== | ||
[[File:Hypokalemia (CardioNetworks ECGpedia).jpg|thumb|Hypokalemia (CardioNetworks ECGpedia)]] | [[File:Hypokalemia (CardioNetworks ECGpedia).jpg|left|thumb|Hypokalemia (CardioNetworks ECGpedia)]] | ||
Symptoms of hypokalemia can vary from mild to severe, depending on the severity of potassium depletion. They can include muscle weakness, fatigue, muscle cramps, constipation, and palpitations. In severe cases, it may cause serious cardiac arrhythmias or paralysis<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Gennari |first1=FJ |title=Hypokalemia |journal=The New England Journal of Medicine |volume=339 |issue=7 |pages=451–458 |year=1998 |doi=10.1056/NEJM199808133390707 |pmid=9700175}}</ref>. | Symptoms of hypokalemia can vary from mild to severe, depending on the severity of potassium depletion. They can include muscle weakness, fatigue, muscle cramps, constipation, and palpitations. In severe cases, it may cause serious cardiac arrhythmias or paralysis<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Gennari |first1=FJ |title=Hypokalemia |journal=The New England Journal of Medicine |volume=339 |issue=7 |pages=451–458 |year=1998 |doi=10.1056/NEJM199808133390707 |pmid=9700175}}</ref>. | ||
==Causes and Risk Factors== | ==Causes and Risk Factors== | ||
Hypokalemia may arise due to inadequate potassium intake, increased potassium loss (through the kidneys or gastrointestinal tract), or a shift of potassium from the bloodstream into cells. Common causes include certain medications (like diuretics), chronic kidney disease, diarrhea, excessive sweating, and certain hormonal disorders<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Mount |first1=DB |title=Causes of hypokalaemia in adults |journal=UpToDate |year=2020}}</ref>. | Hypokalemia may arise due to inadequate potassium intake, increased potassium loss (through the kidneys or gastrointestinal tract), or a shift of potassium from the bloodstream into cells. Common causes include certain medications (like diuretics), chronic kidney disease, diarrhea, excessive sweating, and certain hormonal disorders<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Mount |first1=DB |title=Causes of hypokalaemia in adults |journal=UpToDate |year=2020}}</ref>. | ||
==Diagnosis== | ==Diagnosis== | ||
The diagnosis of hypokalemia is based on blood tests revealing low serum potassium levels. Additional investigations, such as electrocardiography (ECG), may be carried out to assess the impact of hypokalemia on heart function<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Einhorn |first1=LM |title=Diagnosis and treatment of hypokalemia |journal=American Family Physician |volume=93 |issue=6 |pages=487–492 |year=2016 |pmid=26926973}}</ref>. | The diagnosis of hypokalemia is based on blood tests revealing low serum potassium levels. Additional investigations, such as electrocardiography (ECG), may be carried out to assess the impact of hypokalemia on heart function<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Einhorn |first1=LM |title=Diagnosis and treatment of hypokalemia |journal=American Family Physician |volume=93 |issue=6 |pages=487–492 |year=2016 |pmid=26926973}}</ref>. | ||
==Treatment and Management== | ==Treatment and Management== | ||
Management of hypokalemia involves treating the underlying cause, if identifiable, and replacing the deficient potassium. This can be achieved through dietary measures, oral potassium supplements, or in severe cases, intravenous potassium<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Goldman |first1=L |title=Hypokalemia |journal=Current Treatment Options in Cardiovascular Medicine |volume=2 |issue=2 |pages=181–186 |year=2000 |doi=10.1007/s11936-000-0020-5 |pmid=11096514}}</ref>. | Management of hypokalemia involves treating the underlying cause, if identifiable, and replacing the deficient potassium. This can be achieved through dietary measures, oral potassium supplements, or in severe cases, intravenous potassium<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Goldman |first1=L |title=Hypokalemia |journal=Current Treatment Options in Cardiovascular Medicine |volume=2 |issue=2 |pages=181–186 |year=2000 |doi=10.1007/s11936-000-0020-5 |pmid=11096514}}</ref>. | ||
==See Also== | ==See Also== | ||
* [[Potassium]] | * [[Potassium]] | ||
* [[Electrolyte imbalance]] | * [[Electrolyte imbalance]] | ||
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==References== | ==References== | ||
<references /> | <references /> | ||
[[Category:Electrolyte disorders]] | [[Category:Electrolyte disorders]] | ||
[[Category:Endocrine, nutritional and metabolic diseases]] | [[Category:Endocrine, nutritional and metabolic diseases]] | ||
{{stub}} | {{stub}} | ||
Latest revision as of 04:26, 7 April 2025
Editor-In-Chief: Prab R Tumpati, MD
Obesity, Sleep & Internal medicine
Founder, WikiMD Wellnesspedia &
W8MD medical weight loss NYC and sleep center NYC
| Hypokalemia | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Synonyms | Hypokalaemia, Hypopotassemia |
| Pronounce | |
| Specialty | N/A |
| Symptoms | Muscle weakness, fatigue, constipation, arrhythmias |
| Complications | Paralysis, rhabdomyolysis, respiratory failure |
| Onset | |
| Duration | |
| Types | |
| Causes | Diuretics, vomiting, diarrhea, hyperaldosteronism |
| Risks | |
| Diagnosis | Blood test |
| Differential diagnosis | Hyperkalemia, hypomagnesemia, hypocalcemia |
| Prevention | |
| Treatment | Potassium supplements, dietary changes |
| Medication | |
| Prognosis | |
| Frequency | |
| Deaths | |
Hypokalemia is a medical condition characterized by lower than normal levels of potassium in the circulating blood. Potassium, an essential electrolyte, plays a crucial role in a range of vital physiological processes, including nerve cell function, muscle cell contraction, and maintaining heart rhythm<ref>,
Hypokalemia, The New England Journal of Medicine, 2014, Vol. 371(Issue: 8), pp. 774–776, DOI: 10.1056/NEJMc1406591, PMID: 25140970,</ref>.
Clinical Manifestations[edit]
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Symptoms of hypokalemia can vary from mild to severe, depending on the severity of potassium depletion. They can include muscle weakness, fatigue, muscle cramps, constipation, and palpitations. In severe cases, it may cause serious cardiac arrhythmias or paralysis<ref>,
Hypokalemia, The New England Journal of Medicine, 1998, Vol. 339(Issue: 7), pp. 451–458, DOI: 10.1056/NEJM199808133390707, PMID: 9700175,</ref>.
Causes and Risk Factors[edit]
Hypokalemia may arise due to inadequate potassium intake, increased potassium loss (through the kidneys or gastrointestinal tract), or a shift of potassium from the bloodstream into cells. Common causes include certain medications (like diuretics), chronic kidney disease, diarrhea, excessive sweating, and certain hormonal disorders<ref>,
Causes of hypokalaemia in adults, UpToDate, 2020,</ref>.
Diagnosis[edit]
The diagnosis of hypokalemia is based on blood tests revealing low serum potassium levels. Additional investigations, such as electrocardiography (ECG), may be carried out to assess the impact of hypokalemia on heart function<ref>,
Diagnosis and treatment of hypokalemia, American Family Physician, 2016, Vol. 93(Issue: 6), pp. 487–492, PMID: 26926973,</ref>.
Treatment and Management[edit]
Management of hypokalemia involves treating the underlying cause, if identifiable, and replacing the deficient potassium. This can be achieved through dietary measures, oral potassium supplements, or in severe cases, intravenous potassium<ref>,
Hypokalemia, Current Treatment Options in Cardiovascular Medicine, 2000, Vol. 2(Issue: 2), pp. 181–186, DOI: 10.1007/s11936-000-0020-5, PMID: 11096514,</ref>.
See Also[edit]
References[edit]
<references />
