Potassium
lack is the point at which an individual has strangely low degrees of potassium
in their body. It is additionally called hypokalemia.

Potassium is
a mineral that directs liquid in the body and helps muscles and nerves to
accurately work. It is found inside cells and is fundamental for good health.

What are the symptoms of potassium
deficiency?

If you have
low degrees of potassium, symptoms might include:

•          Weakness
•          Feeling tired
•          Muscle cramps
•          Disarray
•          Constipation
•          An abnormal heartbeat (arrhythmia) –
skipped pulses or a sporadic heartbeat
•          Shivering or deadness
•          Increased urination 

How is hypokalemia diagnozed?

Your
healthcare supplier will check your potassium level through a blood test. The
normal potassium level for an adult goes from 3.5 to 5.2 mEq/L (3.5 to 5.2
mmol/L). Potassium levels somewhere in the range of 3 and 3.5 mEq/L (3 to 3.5
mmol/L) are viewed as mild hypokalemia. Anything lower than 3 mEq/L (3 mmol/L)
is viewed as extreme hypokalemia.

Your
healthcare supplier may also arrange an essential or exhaustive metabolic
board. This board is a group of blood tests that decide your body’s kidney
capability and electrolyte balance.

If
hypokalemia is affirmed, your healthcare provider will attempt to decide the
reason. If the reason isn’t clear, they might arrange a urine test (urinalysis)
to quantify how much potassium is in your urine.

Your
healthcare provider may also arrange an electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG). An ECG
estimates your heart musicality. Hypokalemia can cause an abnormal heart
rhythm. An ECG can get abnormal heart rhythms.

Read More: Bland Diet: What To Eat And What To Keep Away From

How is hypokalemia treated?

If you have
a mild case of hypokalemia, your healthcare provider will recommend a potassium
supplement that you’ll take by mouth. If your case is more severe, your medical
services supplier might give you potassium through your vein (intravenously).
Reasons you might require potassium through your vein include:

•          Your potassium level is low.
•          Hypokalemia is causing unusual heart
rhythms.
•          Supplements taken by mouth aren’t
working.
•          You’re losing more potassium than can
be replaced with supplements taken by mouth.

Your
healthcare provider will also treat any condition that is causing hypokalemia.

If you want
to take a diuretic, your healthcare provider might change you to a sort that
keeps potassium in your body. They may also advise you to take additional
potassium supplements.

Sources of potassium

However,
diet alone for the most part won’t determine hypokalemia, it’s as yet helpful
to expand your intake of potassium-rich food sources, similar to natural
products, vegetables, beans, and nuts.

In 2019, the
National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medication (NASEM) updated the
reference daily intakes (RDI) for potassium, reasoning that lacking information
upholds the past proposal of 4,700 mg of potassium each day for adults.
Accordingly,
they created sufficient intakes (artificial intelligence) given old enough and
sex. Presently, the simulated intelligence for potassium is 2,600 mg and 3,400
mg daily for ladies and men, separately.

In any case,
because just 85-90% of potassium is assimilated from food, the percent of the
Daily Value (DV) recorded on food marks stays at 4,700 mg. Remember this to
assist you with guaranteeing you’re getting enough.

Hardly any
individuals meet the daily suggested potassium admission, which is 3,400 mg for
men and 2,600 mg for ladies.
In any case,
hypokalemia is seldom brought about by dietary lack alone. It very well may be
brought about by various elements, including fluid loss, malnutrition, shock,
using specific drugs, and ailments like kidney failure.

Common signs
and symptoms of potassium deficiency incorporate shortcomings and fatigue,
muscle cramps, muscle throbs and firmness, shivers and numbness, heart
palpitations, breathing challenges, digestive symptoms, and changes in blood
pressure.
If you think
you’re insufficient, contact a healthcare provider. Potassium lack can have
serious health outcomes.

If you
notice any unexpected changes in your breathing or heartbeat, seek immediate
medical attention.