Clinical sign and symptoms of hypokalemia?

Answer 1

The list of medical symptoms mentioned in various sources for Hypokalemia includes those listed below. Note that Hypokalemia symptoms usually refers to various medical symptoms known to a patient, but the phrase Hypokalemia signs may often refer to those signs that are only noticable by a doctor:

* Muscle weakness
* Ileus
* Constipations
* Arrhythmias
* Hypotension
* Cardiac arrest
* Polyuria
* Hyperglycaemia
* Anorexia
* Nausea
* Vomiting
* Abdominal distention
* Paralysis of the bowel wall
* Weakness
* Mental depression
* Thirst
* Tetany
* Abdominal tympanism
* Reduced tendon reflexes
* Myocardial degeneration
* Low blood potassium
* Metabolic alkalosis.

Answer 2

Hypokalemia is when the body fails to retain sufficient potassium to maintain health. Certain medications can accelerate the removal of potassium from the body; including thiazide diuretics, such as hydrochlorothiazide; loop diuretics, such as furosemide; as well as various laxatives. The antifungal amphotericin B has also been associated with hypokalemia. Excessive vomiting and diarrhea can lead to a potassim deficiency. Potassium is one of the electrolyte substances found naturally in the body that, together with sodium and calcium, regulates the body's water balance, maintains normal heart rhythm and is responsible for nerve impulse conduction and muscle contraction.

I have hypokalemia and take Potassium pills. It is because of the medications I am on. I never experience any symptoms (sometimes I do have increased irregular rhythms though). It usually shows up in my blood work when I have regular labs drawn.

There may be no symptoms at all, but severe hypokalemia may cause:
1. Muscle weakness and myalgia
2. Increased risk of hyponatremia with resultant confusion and seizures
3. Disturbed heart rhythm (ranging from ectopy to arrhythmias)
4. Serious arrhythmias
5. Constipation

EKG changes associated with hypokalemia: Flattened notched) T waves, U waves, ST depression, Prolonged QT interval.

Click these links if you would like more info:
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/low-potassium/AN01143
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hypokalemia
http://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/Hypokalemia
http://www.americanheart.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=3038599

Answer 3

First,if Potassium is below 2.5( Normal-3.5 to 5mmol/L), urgent treatment required.
The person in this stage may manifest muscle weakness, hypotonia(low muscle tone),cramps and tetany(muscle twitching and fits like symptoms- it also occurs in low calcium level).

If, you attach the person to a ECG monitor, you may note one of the following features:cardiac arrythmias,small or inverted T waves, prolonged P-R interval and depressed ST segment(These can be identified by a trained medical personnel only)

You need to correct Magnesium level first or otherwise correcting low potassium level will be difficult.
Hope, it helps,
Regards,

Answer 4

With the newer types of insulin these days, diabetic diets aren't necessarily as restrictive as they used to be. Read here https://tr.im/5DNNl
As with any medicine or diet change, you should discuss it with your doctor. Fruits, both fresh and dried, have a natural sugar in them that will raise blood sugar levels, so be careful about eating too much. Not sure about the nuts. Moderation is always the key. I've been diabetic for 18 years and just recently changed insulin types. I love it because it gives me more freedom in when and what I eat.

Answer 5

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Answer 6

There are three main symptoms..
1.lethargy
2.Mental confusion
3. musle cramps