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Low Blood Potassium Learning Center

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Welcome

Hypokalemia is a condition of below normal levels of potassium in the blood serum. Potassium, a necessary electrolyte, facilitates nerve impulse conduction and the contraction of skeletal and smooth muscles, including t...

Basic Info

Symptoms
Mild hypokalemia usually results in no symptoms, while moderate hypokalemia results in confusion, disorientation, weakn...
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Causes
About one half of alcoholics hospitalized for withdrawal symptoms experience hypokalemia. The hypokalemia of alcoholics...
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Tests
Since hypokalemia results in abnormalities in heart behavior, the electrocardiogram is usually used in the diagnosis of...
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Treatments
Oral potassium chloride is the safest and most effective treatment for hypokalemia. In emergency situations, when sever...
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Drugs
  • potassium acetate
  • potassium bicarbonate
  • potassium chloride
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Risk Factors
  • Alcohol consumption
  • amphotericin B
  • Bartter's Syndrome
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Complications
The prognosis for correcting hypokalemia is excellent. However, in emergency situations, where potassium. The administr...
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Prevention
The American Dietetic Association states that if hypokalemia has already occurred, use of the high potassium diet alone...
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Doctor Specialties
  • Internist
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Basic Info

Multimedia

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