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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 ...
Mild joint involvement can be effectively treated with NSAIDs, hydroxychloroquine, and oral prednisone. [71] [44] [25] Methotrexate has been observed to be useful in more severe cases. [72] If methotrexate is contraindicated, alternative disease-modifying medications for RA, such as leflunomide or azathioprine, may be used. [68]
Methotrexate was originally developed and continues to be used for chemotherapy, either alone or in combination with other agents.It is effective for the treatment of several cancers, including solid tumours of breast, head and neck, lung, bladder, as well as acute lymphocytic leukemias, non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, osteosarcoma, and choriocarcinoma and other trophoblastic neoplasms.
Low potassium also increases the risk of an abnormal heart rhythm, which is often too slow and can cause cardiac arrest. [21] [27] Causes of potassium deficiencyinclude vomiting, diarrhea, medications like furosemide and steroids, dialysis, diabetes insipidus, hyperaldosteronism, hypomagnesemia, and not enough intake in the diet. [21]
Signs of folate deficiency anemia most of the time are subtle. [4] Anemia (macrocytic, megaloblastic anemia) can be a sign of advanced folate deficiency in adults. [1] Folate deficiency anemia may result in feeling tired, weakness, changes to the color of the skin or hair, open sores on the mouth, shortness of breath, palpitations, lightheadedness, cold hands and feet, headaches, easy bleeding ...
Methotrexate treats cancer, lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis but can cause birth defects. Some women can't get it because of abortion laws, fear punishment.
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 ...