Low Potassium (cont.)
IN THIS ARTICLE
- Low Potassium Overview
- Low Potassium Causes
- Low Potassium Symptoms
- When to Seek Medical Care
- Exams and Tests
- Low Potassium Treatment
- Self-Care at Home
- Medical Treatment
- Next Steps
- Follow-up
- Prevention
- Outlook
- Synonyms and Keywords
- Authors and Editors
- Viewer Comments: Low Potassium (Hypokalemia) - How Was Diagnosis Established
Low Potassium Symptoms
Usually symptoms of low potassium are mild. At times they can be vague. You may have more than one symptom involving the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, kidneys, muscles, heart, and nerves.
- Weakness, tiredness, or cramping in arm or leg muscles, sometimes severe enough to cause inability to move arms or legs due to weakness (much like a paralysis)
- Tingling or numbness
- Nausea or vomiting
- Abdominal cramping, bloating
- Palpitations (feeling your heart beat irregularly)
- Passing large amounts of urine or feeling very thirsty most of the time
- Fainting due to low blood pressure
- Abnormal psychological behavior: depression, psychosis, delirium, confusion, or hallucinations.
Next: When to Seek Medical Care »
Viewer Comments & Reviews
Low Potassium (Hypokalemia) - How Was Diagnosis Established
The eMedicineHealth physician editors ask:
How was the diagnosis of your low potassium (hypokalemia) established?
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Hypokalemia »
Potassium, the most abundant intracellular cation, is essential for the life of the organism.
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