Hypokalemia

Hypokalemia – General Information

Hypokalemia – Symptoms

Hypokalemia – Treatment

The patient’s potassium levels can easily be measured – the individual has to undergo a simple blood exam. During the clinical test, a special electrode (that is sensitive to potassium) is employed, as it can effectively measure the concentration of the ions of potassium. Another way to adequately measure the individual’s potassium ion concentration involves a procedure called atomic absorption spectroscopy. As a patient who is suffering from Hypokalemia often presents abnormalities in his or her heart functions, another way to diagnose this medical condition involves a clinical test called electrocardiogram. The patient’s urine can also enable the physician determine whether the patient indeed has this medical condition (and to see whether the individual presents the mild, the moderate or the severe form of Hypokalemia), as if the potassium concentration from the patient’s urine is less than 25 mM per day, the individual has probably experienced abnormally high losses of this electrolyte through diarrhea. This test (the urine test) is considered extremely useful especially when the individual does not admit that he or she is practicing enema or laxative abuse. However, if the patient’s low levels of potassium were caused by the intake of diuretic medicines, the individual’s urine will contain a much higher concentration (more than 40 mM per day).

If a patient has been diagnosed with the severe form of Hypokalemia, he or she should be immediately placed on a cardiac monitor. Physicians ought to assess his or her respiratory status at once. The first therapy option involves the IV (intravenous) administration of this electrolyte (potassium). However, less severe forms of this medical condition are treated with oral potassium supplements. Most potassium supplements that are available on the market are known to also contain KHCO3 (potassium bicarbonate), KCl (potassium chloride) and even potassium acetate. The most effective therapy option for patients who present the mild form of this disorder involves the intake of potassium chloride, as studies have shown that this is the safest and fastest treatment. Most clinical cases in which the disorder was due to a prolonged therapy with diuretics are prescribed 40-80 mM of KCl in daily doses. However, all patients ought to be aware of the fact that not every individual who is following a therapy with a diuretic will suffer from Hypokalemia. This medical condition can be easily avoided if the patient follows a healthy diet that contains foods that have high amounts of potassium. In most cases, the average prognosis for patients who present Hypokalemia is great. However, in the most severe cases of low potassium levels, the physician ought to be extra careful as not to prescribe the patient an abnormally high amount of potassium as this can lead to severe complications. If you want to know more about this medical condition, we strongly advise you to refer to your personal health care provider, as this article contains only a set of basic information about this disorder.