A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

What are the possible causes of low potassium?

Best Answers

Low potassium (hypokalemia) has many causes. The most common cause is excessive potassium loss in urine due to prescription medications that increase urination. Also known as water pills or diuretics, these types of medications are often prescribed for people who have high blood pressure or heart disease. read more

Digestive Issues are What Causes Low Potassium. Digestive issues are a big cause of low potassium and magnesium levels. There are two ways that digestive issues can cause electrolyte imbalances. Digestive Losses. The first way is through losses such as diarrhea and vomiting where the potassium is lost in the body fluid losses. read more

Low potassium syndrome, also known as hypokalemia, is not commonly caused by poor dietary intake. Excessive loss is the most common reason that potassium levels are low. Loss of potassium may occur from both the gastrointestinal tract and from the kidney. Potassium loss from the intestines may be caused by: Vomiting. Diarrhea. read more

When potassium levels are low (hypokalemia), you can become weak as cellular processes are impaired. The normal potassium level is 3.5-5.0 mEq/L (mEq/L stand for milliequivalents per liter of blood and this is a unit measure used to evaluate the level). Low potassium is defined as a potassium level below 3.5 mEq/L. read more

Hypokalemia causes the level of potassium in blood too low. A low potassium level has many causes but usually results from vomiting, diarrhea, adrenal gland disorders, or use of diuretics. A low potassium level can make muscles feel weak, cramp, twitch or even become paralyzed & abnormal heart rhythms may develop. read more

Related Facts

Related Types