Potassium-rich foods and fruits and vegetables

There are many foods and fruits that can supplement potassium, and people can choose according to their own needs. Generally speaking, do not consume any high-sugar foods during this period, as these foods will affect the absorption and digestion of potassium to a certain extent. Mild patients only need to take some potassium orally to improve their condition, and they can also eat more apples and pears.

1. Acute hypokalemia

Emergency measures should be taken for treatment; for chronic hypokalemia, as long as the blood potassium is not lower than 3mmol/L, the cause can be checked first and then treated accordingly.

2. Potassium supplement

It should be determined based on blood potassium levels. Patients with blood potassium levels between 3.5 and 4 mmol/L do not need additional potassium supplements. They only need to be encouraged to eat more foods rich in potassium, such as fresh vegetables, fruit juice and meat. When blood potassium is between 3.0 and 3.5 mmol/L, whether potassium supplementation is necessary should be determined based on the patient's specific situation. Potassium supplements should be taken if the patient has had arrhythmia, congestive heart failure, heart failure being treated with digitalis, ischemic heart disease, or a history of myocardial infarction. Patients who are generally in good condition may only be encouraged to eat foods rich in potassium or take oral potassium preparations. Those with blood potassium levels below 3.0mmol/L should take potassium supplements.

For mild cases, only oral potassium is needed, with 10% potassium chloride being the preferred medicine. Serum potassium should be monitored during oral potassium preparations. If the blood magnesium level is lower than 0.5mmol/L, 50% magnesium sulfate should be injected intramuscularly. 10% magnesium sulfate can also be taken orally.

Severely ill patients (including those with arrhythmia, rapid ventricular rate, severe cardiomyopathy, and familial periodic paralysis) should receive intravenous potassium preparations, and the commonly used preparation is also potassium chloride. Serum potassium should be monitored during the infusion or by electrocardiogram. For patients with acidosis or without hypochloremia, 20 ml of 31.5% potassium glutamate solution should be added to 5% glucose solution and slowly dripped intravenously. Potassium chloride should not be used at this time.

3. Correct water and other electrolyte metabolism disorders

Many of the causes of hypokalemia can simultaneously cause the loss of water and other electrolytes such as sodium and magnesium. Therefore, they should be checked promptly and must be actively treated once discovered. As mentioned above, if hypokalemia is caused by magnesium deficiency, potassium supplementation alone will be ineffective without magnesium supplementation.