There are several causes for you to have low potassium although common causes of low potassium levels are if you become dehydrated, for example, with prolonged vomiting, diarrhea or excessive sweating. take certain medicines, such as diuretics, that increase the amount of potassium you lose via your urine or have chronic kidney disease.
Low potassium is also called Hypokalemia.
low potassium levels in the body have many causes but usually results from vomiting, diarrhea, adrenal gland disorders, or use of diuretics.
A low potassium level in the body can make your muscles feel weak, cramp, twitch, or even become paralyzed, and abnormal heart rhythms may develop.
If your potassium levels are severely low, your muscle tissue might start to break down (rhabdomyolysis).
You might even have paralysis and even respiratory failure.
If you have low blood potassium for a while, it may affect your kidneys.
You may have to go to the bathroom more often.
An easy way to boost your potassium intake is by eating five portions of fruit and vegetables a day.
Other foods like pulses, fish, nuts, seeds and milk are also high in potassium and low in salt, so can help benefit your heart.”
You may even be at risk of developing low potassium levels if you become dehydrated, for example, with prolonged vomiting, diarrhea or excessive sweating. take certain medicines, such as diuretics, that increase the amount of potassium you lose via your urine or have chronic kidney disease.
You can check your potassium levels at home by taking a potassium test at home, either with a blood or urine sample.
If using a 24-hour urine test, you will need to collect your urine wherever you are during the day.
For blood tests, you often need to visit a local laboratory to have your sample collected.