2006-09-11 05:43:14 · 14 answers · asked by victoria 1 in Health ➔ Diseases & Conditions ➔ Other - Diseases
Low potassium can occur for many reasons. Use of water pills (diuretic therapy), diarrhoea, and chronic laxative abuse are the most common causes of low potassium in the elderly.
There are plenty of other reasons your potassium level might be low, like:
* Vomiting
* Enemas or excessive laxative use
* Diarrhea
* Medicines used for asthma or emphysema (beta-adrenergic agonist type of drugs such as bronchodilators, steroids, or theophylline)
* Use of insulin
If it's a dietary problem, trying eating a couple of bananas. They're rich in potassium and might be all it takes to top you up.
You should consult with your doctor or health care professional before making any changes to your diet or food supplements.
The effects of low potassium can vary, but here's a few you might expect to see:
* Weakness, tiredness, or cramping in arm or leg muscles, sometimes severe enough to cause inability to move arms or legs due to weakness (much like a paralysis)
* Tingling or numbness
* Nausea or vomiting
* Abdominal cramping, bloating
* Constipation
* Palpitations (feeling your heart beat irregularly)
* Passing large amounts of urine or feeling very thirsty most of the time
* Fainting due to low blood pressure
* Abnormal psychological behavior (depression, psychosis, delirium), confusion, or seeing or hearing things (hallucinations)
If you are having symptoms of low potassium, call your doctor. Only call the emergency services in a genuine emergency.
Hope that helps!
froggie
2006-09-11 05:53:05 · answer #1 · answered by froggiezebra 2 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Reasons For Low Potassium
2016-09-29 01:34:57 · answer #2 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
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2016-11-30 18:18:07 · answer #3 · answered by ? 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
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2017-01-22 11:23:09 · answer #4 · answered by gearheart 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Youll develop leg cramps and lots of sweeling around the ankles if low potassium. Eat more bananas or take a supplement. A doc will know best.
2006-09-17 10:12:17 · answer #5 · answered by ~~ 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Nausea & Vomiting Muscle Cramps Fatigue Irregular Heart Beat Frequent Urination Low BP-Which can lead to fainting Thirsty All The Time Confusion
2016-03-17 12:26:33 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I had this problem several years ago and had to have my adrenal gland removed.
I had a smal tumour on my left adrenal gland which was depleting me of potassium. I had high aldosterone levels. It is called hyperaldosterone.
You can get low potassium levels by taking duretics for high blood pressure for several years. You can also get it by eating too much black licorce.
If you are anorexic or take laxatives on a regular basis you can get low potassium levels.
2006-09-17 07:07:29 · answer #7 · answered by pixles 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
You probably don't eat enough fruits and vegatables. Bananas are a good source of potassium. It could cause muscle cramps.
2006-09-11 05:45:37 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
Low potassium is easily fixed with the routine consumption of bananas and gatorade. Beware though, too much pottasium causes constipation.
2006-09-11 05:45:39 · answer #9 · answered by Skittles 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Eat more banana's. Potassium attracts mosquitos so you should stay away from it when they're around.
2006-09-11 05:45:10 · answer #10 · answered by stigma138 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋