What are the symptoms of severe potassium deficiency

Severe potassium deficiency should be paid special attention to, because it will have many adverse effects on physical health. People with long-term potassium deficiency may even suffer from metabolic hypokalemic and hypochloric alkali poisoning, or cardiovascular system disease symptoms such as arrhythmia, conduction obstruction, and gastrointestinal symptoms such as abdominal distension, nausea, constipation, paralytic ileus, etc., these adverse consequences.

1. Neuromuscular system

Common symptoms are muscle weakness and paroxysmal flaccid paralysis, the latter of which may be preceded by muscle weakness. Although the onset is related to the absolute plasma level. But it is more closely related to the intracellular and extracellular gradients. The muscles affected are more likely to be affected at night and after exertion, with the limbs being the most common. The muscles of the head and neck are generally not affected, but the respiratory muscles may be affected, causing dyspnea. Before an attack, there may be numbness in the limbs, followed by fatigue and finally complete disappearance of autonomous movement. Generally, the symptoms of proximal muscles are slightly milder than those of distal muscles.

2. Cardiovascular system

Hypokalemia can reduce myocardial irritability and cause various arrhythmias and conduction blocks.

3. Urinary system

Long-term hypokalemia can damage the renal tubules and cause potassium-deficient nephropathy. The renal tubular function of concentrating ammonia, synthesizing hydrogen, and reabsorbs Cl- may be reduced, or the sodium excretion function or the sodium reabsorption function may be enhanced, and the net result may also be reduced, which can lead to metabolic hypokalemic and hypochloric alkali poisoning.

4. Endocrine and metabolic system

It can damage the renal tubules and cause potassium-deficient nephropathy. The renal tubular concentration, ammonia synthesis, hydrogen secretion and chloride ion reabsorption functions may all be reduced or enhanced. The sodium excretion function or sodium reabsorption function may also be reduced, resulting in metabolic hypokalemia and hypochlorite alkali poisoning.

5. Digestive system

Potassium deficiency can slow down intestinal peristalsis. People with mild potassium deficiency only have loss of appetite, abdominal distension, nausea and constipation; severe potassium deficiency can cause paralytic intestinal obstruction.

6. Supplement potassium salt:

(1) When supplementing potassium, take it orally if possible. If you cannot take it orally, take it intravenously.

(2) Intravenous potassium chloride supplementation is strictly prohibited. It is generally added to glucose solution for dripping. The concentration should not exceed 3%, and the drip rate should not exceed 80 drops per minute; the total amount of drip per 24 hours should not exceed 6g-8g.

(3) When accompanied by acidosis, potassium bicarbonate can be used instead.

(4) For patients with liver damage, potassium glutamate can be used instead.

(5) When the heart is obviously affected or accompanied by magnesium deficiency, L-aspartate potassium magnesium can be used.