Hypokalemia Treatment
Hypokalemia Treatment
If you are suffering from potassium deficiency, it is medically referred to as hypokalemia. This deficiency occurs when the levels of potassium drops in the blood. This deficiency can cause a lot of health problems as potassium is an important element for proper working of the nervous system. In addition, potassium is also required for the working of muscles and proper functioning of the heart.
Loss of potassium is mainly caused by diarrhea. The body loses potassium through frequent urination. It could be the possible cause of some medications like diuretics that you are taking. The kidneys reserve the main job of holding back the potassium. However, there are several conditions that cause the kidneys to dysfunction. Several conditions like diabetes, Cushing's syndrome and Liddle and Barters syndrome cause the kidneys to malfunction.
Benefits of potassium:
1. Along with other minerals such as sodium, chloride and calcium, potassium helps in normal cellular function, such as transmission of nerve impulses, digestion.
2. Potassium helps promote healthy cardiovascular health. It is strongly believed that potassium has the ability to pump sodium out of the body's cells and reduce body fluid.
3. Potassium, along with sodium, helps to regulate blood pressure. Increasing potassium in the diet may protect against hypertension in people who are sensitive to high levels of sodium.
Causes of Potassium deficiency in the body can be caused by certain medical conditions, including something as simple as a bad case of sickness and diarrhea. Even some medications, can purge the body of this much needed mineral.
It is interesting to note that problems with splitting fingernails can be an indication of a potassium deficiency in the body. Tooth decay can also be caused by the same deficiency. Of course, if you do have bad teeth, and happen to be eating several dozen chocolate bars a day, then it is probably safe to say that Potassium deficiency isn't the problem.
As your feline ages, just like you and me, several things will start to happen in your companion. First, your cats immune system will start to become weaker and it will not be able to fend off foreign invasion like it used to, and as a result, chronic forms of diseases that come with aging will affect your cat much quicker.
The potassium deficiency is called as hypokalemia. Hypokalemia results from prolonged vomiting, some forms of kidney disease, the use of some diuretics, or disturbances of metabolism. The symptoms of hypokalemia include muscle weakness, intestinal paralysis, fatigue, and cramps, and, which may lead to constipation, bloating, and abdominal pain.
The good news is that one can correct his or her diet simply by eating more foods rich in potassium, and even taking potassium supplements that can be picked up at a local grocery store. Some of those foods that are especially good at increasing your potassium levels are bananas, oranges, strawberries, avocado, brussel sprouts, potatoes, tomatoes
But although outright hypokalemia is thankfully very rare, there's evidence that many people obtain insufficient dietary potassium for optimum health; and that this insufficiency may expose them to an increased risk of chronic diseases, including hypertension (high blood pressure), heart disease, osteoarthritis and even cancer.
Treatment of Potassium Depletion
An estimated two million Americans regularly take potassium supplements. Most are patients with high blood pressure, where potassium levels are lowered by their anti-hypertensive medications. In many instances, increased consumption of potassium-rich foods is all that is required. For others, however, additional potassium in the form of prescription supplements are needed. This is a determination that must be made by a physician.
Now that you know how important it is to reach your daily recommended dosage of potassium you might be wondering how to do it. It is quite easy because there are many foods rich in potassium and many of them are quite tasty. Many people know that bananas are a good source of potassium, but it is not as well-known that other fruits like oranges, strawberries, watermelon, and cantaloupe are as well.
What is the adequate potassium quantity required to constitute a good diet had always been a difficult question to answer till few years back, but from 2001, potassium content has been enlisted in the labeling of food items. Thus, it's good news that we can know the amount of potassium intake and accordingly we can manage our diet.
The symptoms of low potassium are:
1-low blood sugar (hypoglycemia)
2-low blood potassium (hypokalemia)
3-sciatica
4-leg cramps
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