what does low pottassium mean?

Answer 1

It means you need to get it sorted -strokes - blood pressure and all that.Start eating loads of Bananas they are full of Pottassium

Answer 2

Potassium is a vital electrolytic salt that our bodies must have to function properly. Too low, and it will stop your heart, on the other hand, too high and it will have the same effect. Luckily, most healthy people do not easily lose potassium to the point where it is dangerously low. However, those who take diuretic medicine in any form need to supplement their diets with potassium rich foods or prescriptive potassium supplements from their doctors depending on the potency of the diuretic they may be taking. Eating potassium rich foods is the best and safest way to keep your potassium levels up as what the body doesn't need of natural potassium it will naturally excrete.(not so for synthetic potassium supplements which can build to dangerously high levels in the blood)

Answer 3

Well - it really means that when the doctor took the blood and sent it to the lab, the lab analysed it and found less potassium in your blood than normal.

Have a look at the wiki page.

It might mean stuff or it might not. You should probably eat more bananas and potatoes for a while.

People who have very low potassium will have problems from it - weak muscles - tingles and twitches - perhaps palpitations...

See your doctor if you are feeling unwell.

Answer 4

Hypokalemia
What is it?
Hypokalemia is a low level of potassium in the blood. Potassium is an electrolyte that is important to the function of the nerve and muscle cells, including the heart. (May also be spelled hypokalaemia.)

Who gets it?
Hypokalemia is most common in people with diseases that affect kidney function, people who take diuretics, and people with eating disorders.

What causes it?
Most of the body’s potassium is stored inside various cells and organs, with only a small amount found in the blood. The body maintains a balance of potassium in the blood by matching the amount of potassium taken in with the amount excreted (put out) by the kidneys. Hypokalemia occurs when the body releases too much potassium, such as through severe vomiting, diarrhea, or sweating during intense exercise. It also can be caused by a disease that affects kidney function – the kidneys may excrete too much potassium, or may not be able to match their output to the body’s potassium intake. Diseases that can cause hypokalemia include Liddle’s syndrome, Cushing’s syndrome, Fanconi’s syndrome, and Bartter’s syndrome. Certain drugs called diuretics increase the body’s urine output, which can also cause hypokalemia. Hypokalemia can be caused by overuse of laxatives; by eating disorders such as bulimia, which involves self-induced vomiting; and by prolonged fasting and starvation. Although it is less likely, hypokalemia can also be caused by not eating enough foods that contain potassium, and by eating too much licorice.

Answer 5

Low potassium means not sufficient potassium in the body for the body requirement. That deficiency will produce slow heart rate, scarring of heart muscles hypertrophy of the kidneys, paralysis of the muscles, and retardation of bone growth. they may become fragile excessively. Both sexes may become sterile.

Answer 6

Potassium is a essential mineral that your muscles needs to function properly. Low potassium may mean you can have muscle weakness, affecting any organs that uses muscles, such as heart. Shortage of potassium can be fatal.

Answer 7

Potassium is part of your minerals and "vitamins" in your blood stream that your body uses to keep you alive. To quote a source, "Potassium, a mineral, assists in muscle contraction and in maintaining fluid and electrolyte balance in body cells. Potassium is also important in sending nerve impulses as well as releasing energy from protein, fat, and carbohydrates during metabolism."

Maybe that's too much to know but its in your blood and if its too low, you will have symptoms and problems with muscle contraction especially. Avoid Too Much Sugar and Too Much Sodium.

The normal range is 3.7 to 5.2 mEq/L.
(mEq/L = equivalent per liter)

Answer 8

It means you have insufficient potassium in your blood.. is one of the electolytes involved in cellular metabolism and must be raised to a level where it can function with the sodium and chloride, at the cellular leve..

Answer 9

It means there's not a lot of potassium.

Answer 10

You neeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeed BANANAS