Hypokalemia Symptoms
Eating the Right Foods Keeps One’s Potassium Balance in Check
When you suffer from low levels of potassium or your body is deficient in the element, you will develop a condition known as hypokalemia. Since potassium is one of the primary electrolytes that is found in the cells of one’s body, minute changes can affect the functioning of nerves and muscles. Therefore, it’s important to eat foods that are good sources of potassium to prevent illness and promote the healthy functioning of nerves and muscles. Such foods include:
- Bananas
- Oranges
- Kiwi
- Avocados
- Cantaloupe
- Apricots
- Greens
- Peas
- Beets
- Tomatoes
- Mushrooms
- Grapefruits
- Prunes
Reasons for Hypokalemia
While some may assume a diet lacking in potassium can bring about the signs and symptoms of hypokalemia, that is not the typical reason for the disorder. Usually, hypokalemia symptoms are brought on by loss of potassium as the result of diarrhea or vomiting. Also, ileostomy patients can experience potassium loss. Other reasons for low potassium counts may include the use of laxatives or diuretics. High corticosteroid levels, resulting from the ingestion of certain medicines, can also result in hypokalemia.
Hypokalemia Signs and Symptoms
So, what are some of the symptoms of hypokalemia?
- Weakness and fatigue
- Depression
- Thirst
- Distention of the abdomen
- Paralysis of the wall of the intestinal bowel
- Involuntary muscle contraction, or tetany
- Hyperglycemia
- Vomiting
- Nausea
- Hypotension
- Constipation
- Heart attack or cardiac arrest
- Polyuria
Potassium is a Must-have Nutrient
Obviously, the above symptomology can be quite severe. Therefore, potassium is an essential micronutrient and is apparently an essential part of a nutritional eating plan. While the diet of a healthy person should be sufficient with respect to meeting potassium requirements, there are those individuals which, due to sickness, must include potassium supplementation in their treatment or daily diet.
Always talk to a Doctor about Potassium Supplementation
In addition to the above signs of hypokalemia, a low potassium count can result in moodiness and a heartbeat that is irregular. Of course, you also have to take care not to consume too much potassium as well as that can also present some health problems. Supplements can be obtained online, but should always be prescribed for use before you take them by a physician.
Some Valuable Health Tips: East your Veggies and Beans
A varied diet is helpful in maintaining healthy levels of potassium. Some good vegetable and legume sources include baked potato, squash, spinach, kidney beans, navy beans, broccoli, zucchini, and Brussels sprouts. Take care of yourself. Make sure you obtain enough potassium in your diet along with other essential nutrients. If you work out quite a bit, then you definitely must make an effort to obtain your needed electrolytes. Therefore, make sure you are getting enough in the way of potassium, calcium, magnesium and your recommended daily allowance of vitamins. Keep them high on the agenda of any health or diet plan.
Related posts:
- Hyperkalemia Symptoms and Causes
- Causes of Low Potassium in Women and Men
- Identifying Vitamin B12 Deficiency Symptoms
- Liver Infection Symptoms in Women and Men
- Gallstones Symptoms in Women and Men
Filed under: Health Tips | Tagged with: hypokalemia signs and symptoms, hypokalemia symptoms, low potassium symptoms, potassium deficiency symptoms, signs and symptoms of hypokalemia, signs of hypokalemia, symptoms of hypokalemia
