Potassium is an essential chemical element for our survival, as it is related to contraction. muscle, nerve activity, transport of substances into the cell, osmotic pressure, among others functions. One of its activities that deserves to be highlighted is the transmission of the nerve impulse.
Potassium is found in foods such as meat, bananas, beans, milk, tomatoes, avocados and spinach. A diet rich in this chemical element significantly reduces the risk of high blood pressure. Also, low levels in the body are linked to kidney and heart problems.
A normal person has serum potassium concentrations ranging from 3.5 to 5.0 mEq/L. When the levels are less than 3.5 mEq/L, there is a picture of hypokalemia, also known as hypokalemia. THE hypokalemia Mild is diagnosed when levels are greater than 2.8 mEq/L. In this case, it is characterized by being asymptomatic or leading the patient to weakness, reduced muscle strength, malaise and vomiting. Usually this condition, as it does not present symptoms, rarely presents a diagnosis without potassium dosage.
When serum potassium levels drop too low, the patient begins to experience heart problems, such as arrhythmia, which can lead to death. In addition, other symptoms may arise, such as constipation, tiredness, fatigue, decline in the rate of glomerular filtration, skeletal muscle paralysis and even respiratory paralysis and failure renal. Sudden death is common in people with severe hypokalemia. In patients with heart disease, hypokalemia poses a great risk, even if the condition is mild.
Among the main causes of hypokalemia, we can highlight insufficient intake, large potassium losses due to gastrointestinal problems, losses urinary tract, use of diuretics and corticosteroids, as well as redistribution of potassium from the extracellular space to the intracellular. It is a common occurrence that patients hospitalized and admitted to intensive care centers have a reduction in serum potassium level.
The treatment used frequently is the incorporation of foods rich in potassium in the patient's diet or oral replacement with potassium chloride. In more severe cases, one can opt for intravenous supplementation. When the patient uses diuretics, it is important to replace them with potassium-sparing diuretics, such as spironolactone.
Always remember to maintain a healthy diet and see your doctor regularly for routine checkups. Early diagnosis can prevent more serious problems.
By Ma. Vanessa dos Santos
Source: Brazil School - https://brasilescola.uol.com.br/doencas/hipopotassemia.htm