What are the Common causes of Hypokalemia?

What are the Common causes of Hypokalemia?

By: Arlene Gentallan

What are the Common causes of Hypokalemia?
What are the Common causes of Hypokalemia?

What is hypokalemia?

        Hypokalemia refers to lower than normal levels of potassium in the body. Potassium is an important electrolyte needed to transmit electrical signal need for muscle contraction.

        Normal potassium level is between 3.5 to 5.0 meq/L. When potassium level drops below normal, it is called hypokalemia. Hypokalemia is not a disease, rather, it is a sign of an underlying disease.

Hypokalemia (low potassium level) can result to symptoms such as:
  • Muscle cramps
  • Muscle twitching
  • Muscle tingling
  • Muscle weakness
  • Abdominal cramps
  • Constipation
  • Confusion
  • Irregular heart beat

         If potassium level drops to a critical level, it can cause abnormal heart rhythm and compromise the pumping of the heart leading to heart cardiac arrest.


What are the causes of hypokalemia?

        The most commons cause of potassium deficiency is excessive potassium loss in the urine like in cases when diuretics is used. Here are the culprit of low potassium level:
  • Prolonged diarrhea (eg. inflammatory bowel disease, laxative abuse)
  • Excessive vomiting
  • Excessive sweating (eg. prolonged physical activity)
  • Prolong use of penicillin based antibiotic
  • A diet deficient in potassium
  • Diet high in salt (sodium)
  • Alcohol abuse
  • Alkalosis
  • Cushing syndrome (hyperaldosteronism)
  • Low magnesium level
  • Insulin overuse
  • Diabetic ketoacidosis


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