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Hypokalemia is a low level of potassium (K +) in the blood serum. [1] Mild low potassium does not typically cause symptoms. [3] Symptoms may include feeling tired, leg cramps, weakness, and constipation. [1] Low potassium also increases the risk of an abnormal heart rhythm, which is often too slow and can cause cardiac arrest. [1] [3]
Low potassium is caused by increased excretion of potassium, decreased consumption of potassium rich foods, movement of potassium into the cells, or certain endocrine diseases. [3] Excretion is the most common cause of hypokalemia and can be caused by diuretic use, metabolic acidosis , diabetic ketoacidosis , hyperaldosteronism , and renal ...
Potassium deficiency: Mild low potassium does not typically cause symptoms. [27] Symptoms may include feeling tired, leg cramps, weakness, and constipation. [21] Low potassium also increases the risk of an abnormal heart rhythm, which is often too slow and can cause cardiac arrest. [21] [27]
Mild cases of metabolic alkalosis often cause no symptoms. Typical manifestations of moderate to severe metabolic alkalosis include abnormal sensations, neuromuscular irritability, tetany, abnormal heart rhythms (usually due to accompanying electrolyte abnormalities such as low levels of potassium in the blood), coma, seizures, and temporary waxing and waning confusion.
As a result, the muscle cannot contract efficiently (paralysis). The condition is hypokalemic (manifests when potassium is low; not "causing hypokalemia") because a low extracellular potassium ion concentration will cause the muscle to repolarise to the resting potential more quickly, so even if calcium conductance does occur it cannot be ...
Laxative abuse can mimic the serum electrolyte abnormalities, but fractional excretion of potassium will be low; Diuretic abuse could be suspected if urinary chloride excretion varies by time of day but may require a diuretic assay to detect; Surreptitious vomiting can cause metabolic alkalosis and hypokalaemia, but urinary chloride levels will ...
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The underlying mechanism involves the nervous system slowing the heart rate and dilating blood vessels, resulting in low blood pressure and thus not enough blood flow to the brain. [2] Diagnosis is based on the symptoms after ruling out other possible causes. [3] Recovery from a reflex syncope episode happens without specific treatment. [2]