Show Potassium deficiency is the result of hypokalemia—the medical term for blood serum potassium levels that are below normal. Normal blood potassium levels are typically between 3.6 and 5.2 millimoles per liter (mmol/L). A potassium level that is very low (less than 2.5 mmol/L) can be life-threatening and requires immediate medical attention. Low potassium symptoms often are mild but can include the following:
Causes of Hypokalemia and Potassium DeficiencyThere are multiple potential causes of low potassium. The most common causes of hypokalemia involves potassium loss through urine due to medications typically prescribed for high blood pressure or heart disease. Such medications as water pills, diuretics, or, to a lesser extent, some antibiotics can increase urination. Vomiting, diarrhea, and excessive sweating can also lead to a potassium deficiency. This is why doctors, during a patient’s bout with the flu, will often prescribe electrolyte supplementation. Other causes of hypokalemia include folic acid deficiency as well as certain medical conditions, including congestive heart failure, chronic kidney disease, diabetic ketoacidosis, and primary aldosteronism. Lifestyle factors, such as excessive alcohol use, excessive exercising, or excessive laxative use (common in eating disorders) are also linked to low potassium. It’s important to get enough potassium in your diet; however, there isn’t scientific evidence to support the notion that low dietary intake of potassium directly results in hypokalemia. WHAT YOU CAN DOSAMPLE POTASSIUM-RICH MEALS Here’s a quick sampling of potassium-rich meals. BREAKFAST
LUNCH
DINNER
(Note: it is not necessary to eat fish daily!) SNACKS
Why Is Potassium So Important to Our Health?Potassium is a vital mineral and electrolyte. Electrolytes have important jobs within the body—they help carry much-needed electrical signals to your cells, and in turn they help regulate your nerve and muscle functioning, hydration, and blood pressure. Electrolytes also help to rebuild damaged tissue. Potassium is involved in your heart’s ability to beat and to squeeze blood through your body. In addition, potassium helps to regulate your blood pressure. It also helps your muscles and nerves to work properly. Potassium deficiency can be even more complicated than we think. According to a report at Oregon State University‘s website, “The relative deficiency of dietary potassium in the modern diet may play a role in the pathology of some chronic diseases”—stroke, osteoporosis, and kidney stones, for example. Typically, potassium deficiency symptoms are discovered by blood tests conducted for other reasons—an illness, for example, or to monitor your blood while you’re on various medications. If you’re in good health, you won’t usually feel the symptoms of hypokalemia; it’s rare for low potassium levels to cause individuals to experience isolated symptoms. Reach for Potassium-Rich FoodsAccording to the USDA, adults need 4,700 mg of potassium per day to meet adequate intake (AI) requirements. You can achieve this goal and realize the benefits of potassium by eating your fruits and veggies. Plant-based sources of potassium include banana, broccoli, lentils, squash, and sweet potato. Other foods that serve as rich sources of potassium include fish (particularly flounder or halibut) and low-fat dairy products. Consult with your doctor about whether potassium-rich foods and/or potassium supplementation is right for you. How much potassium is in various food sources? Here’s a selective list, per Oregon State University:
RECIPE 1BANANA PANCAKES Ingredients: 1 medium ripe banana 2 large grass-fed eggs 1/8 teaspoon baking powder (for fluffy pancakes) 1/8 teaspoon sea salt 1/4 teaspoon vanilla (optional) 1 tablespoon pure honey Butter or olive oil for frying Directions: 1. In a large bowl, mash the banana until there are no big lumps. Add all remaining ingredients to the bowl, except the eggs. Whisk ingredients to combine. 2. Whisk the eggs well in a small bowl. Pour the whisked eggs into the large bowl of ingredients and stir until all ingredients are well combined. 3. In a griddle or skillet over medium heat, melt a little butter or olive oil. 4. Drop 2 tablespoons of batter onto the griddle/skillet for each pancake. Cook for about 1 minute, until the bottoms look golden. 5. Flip each pancake when you see bubbling in the center and cook for another minute. 6. Serve warm. Serve with fresh fruit and desired toppings. Servings: 8 small pancakes RECIPE 2LIMA-BEAN AND LENTIL SOUP Ingredients: 1 tablespoon olive oil or ghee 1 small onion, finely chopped 1/2 leek, finely chopped 2 cloves garlic, minced 1 1/2 cups water 1 1/2 cups vegetable broth 1/2 cup dry lima beans 1/2 cup dry lentils 1 small carrot, thinly sliced 1 small parsnip, thinly sliced 1 celery stalk with leaves (1/2 cup), thinly sliced 1 teaspoons Italian seasoning 1 teaspoon ground cumin 1/4 teaspoon salt 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper Directions: 1. Heat oil or ghee over medium heat in a medium frying pan. Sauté onion and leek and garlic for 5 to 10 minutes, until onions are tender, and set aside. 2. Bring vegetable broth and water to a boil in a medium saucepan. 3. Add lima beans, cooked onion, leek and garlic, carrot, parsnip, celery, Italian seasoning, cumin, salt, and pepper. 4. Once saucepan has reached a boil, reduce heat and simmer for 45 minutes, covered. If beans and lentils are not tender, cook for another 5 to 10 minutes until tender. 5. Turn off heat, remove soup from heat, and allow it to stand for 20 minutes, covered. As a service to our readers, University Health News offers a vast archive of free digital content. Please note the date published or last update on all articles. No content on this site, regardless of date, should ever be used as a substitute for direct medical advice from your doctor or other qualified clinician. Tags: abdominal cramping, abdominal pain, add, alcohol, almonds, antibiotics, bloating, blood pressure, breakfast, chronic kidney disease, congestive heart failure, constipation, cramping, cramps, cumin, dairy, depression, diabetic, diarrhea, diet, flu, food, for high blood pressure, garlic, good health, health, heart disease, heart failure, high blood pressure, honey, hydration, kidney stones, medical conditions, muscle, muscle cramps, osteoporosis, pain, potassium, potassium deficiency, potassium deficiency symptoms, recipe, report, skin, spinach, stroke, yogurt  Lisa Cantkier is a nutritionist, educator, and writer who specializes in living well with food allergies and special diets. She enjoys learning about and sharing the latest research findings on … Read More View all posts by Lisa Cantkier
Potassium is a mineral (electrolyte) in the body. Almost 98% of potassium is found inside the cells. Small changes in the level of potassium that is present outside the cells can have severe effects on the heart, nerves, and muscles. Potassium is important to maintain several bodily functions:
The kidney is the main organ that controls the balance of potassium by removing excess potassium into the urine. When potassium levels are low (hypokalemia), you can become weak as cellular processes are impaired.
Low potassium can occur for many reasons. Use of water pills (diuretics), diarrhea, and chronic laxative abuse are the most common causes of low potassium levels. Illness and other medications may also lower potassium levels. Risk factors for low potassium include:
Other causes of hypokalemia include: Kidney lossesLoss of potassium through stomach and intestinesSide effect of medications
Shifting of potassium into and out of cells
Decreased food intake or malnutrition
Symptoms of low potassium are typically mild and sometimes vague. There may be more than one symptom involving the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, kidneys, muscles, heart, and nerves:
If you are having symptoms of low potassium, call your doctor. If you have muscle cramps, weakness, palpitations, or feel faint and you are taking a diuretic (water pill), contact your healthcare professional or go to an urgent care facility or hospital emergency department immediately. Without symptoms, you will not know you have low potassium levels until you have a routine blood test or an electrocardiogram (ECG, EKG).
Sometimes the cause of low potassium is unclear. Your doctor may perform certain tests to rule out other conditions such as renal tubular acidosis, Cushing syndrome, and hypocalcemia:
If you are monitoring low potassium levels, avoid long, strenuous physical activities because loss of potassium occurs with sweating. If dietary supplements, herbal supplements, diuretics (water pills), or laxatives are causing the low potassium symptoms, avoid taking these products and talk to your doctor. Never stop taking a prescribed medication without first consulting your doctor.
Potassium replacement therapy will be directed by the type and severity of the patient's symptoms. Treatment begins after lab tests confirm the diagnosis. Medical Treatment
Precautions
Usually doctors recommend a certain dosage of potassium supplementation and arrange to have a repeat blood level taken 2-3 days later. Your doctor may consider switching to potassium-sparing diuretics (water pills) if the patient needs to continue taking diuretics for another condition.
Diet changes may be recommended if the patient is likely to develop low potassium levels. Examples of foods high in potassium include:
Do not overuse diuretics (water pills), and never use someone else's medications. If you are taking medication, ask your doctor how often electrolyte levels need to be checked.
Low potassium is treatable. The reason for the low potassium must be identified, or it will most likely reoccur. With the right therapy, there are typically no further problems.
Electrolytes are chemicals that the body produces, and the cells in the body need them to function. Examples of electrolytes that the cells need are sodium (Na), potassium (K), and magnesium (Mg). Click for more about electrolytes »
Mount, David B. MD. "Clinical Manifestations and Treatment of Hypokalemia in Adults." UptoDate. Updated Jan 7, 2016.
Patient Comments & Reviews
|
What are the 10 signs of low potassium?
Postagens relacionadas
direito autoral © 2024 aprendervalor Inc.
