What should people with potassium deficiency pay attention to

The most important thing for people who are deficient in potassium is to replenish potassium in time, because potassium is an element necessary for human growth. If potassium is deficient, various adverse symptoms may occur, which will have adverse effects on the body, work and life. Therefore, we should pay attention to replenish potassium in time. In terms of treatment, in addition to considering potassium supplementation with drugs, we should not ignore daily diet. Diet is more conducive to potassium supplementation.

1. Potassium is an essential nutrient for human growth. It accounts for 5% of the body's inorganic salts and is very important for maintaining a healthy nervous system and regulating heart rhythm. It prevents stroke, maintains normal muscle contraction, and works with sodium to maintain fluid balance. Clinically, many patients are deficient in potassium due to various reasons, such as frequent vomiting, diarrhea and long-term gastrointestinal drainage which increase the excretion of potassium from the digestive tract; certain kidney diseases and the use of potassium-excreting diuretics which increase the excretion of potassium from the kidneys; patients with hyperadrenocortical syndrome or long-term use of adrenocortical hormones which increase potassium excretion; high-temperature work, high-intensity labor and training which cause heavy sweating and potassium loss, etc. The above reasons lead to a decrease in the total amount of potassium in the body. When the serum potassium is lower than 3.5mmol/L, it can be diagnosed as hypokalemia based on the condition of the disease.

2. When potassium is deficient, the clinical symptoms are often masked by the primary disease. Potassium deficiency reduces neuromuscular irritability, causes general weakness, and reduces reaction ability. In severe cases, it may lead to flaccid paralysis and difficulty breathing. Digestive tract dysfunction, with anorexia, nausea, vomiting, and bloating. In severe cases, there may be intestinal paralysis and intestinal obstruction. Potassium deficiency increases myocardial irritability and causes arrhythmias, atrioventricular conduction block, and even atrial and ventricular fibrillation.

3. The treatment of potassium deficiency should be based on actively treating the primary disease and eliminating the cause to reduce potassium loss. While doctors are considering potassium supplementation with medication, patients with mild or chronic potassium deficiency who can take food orally should eat more potassium-rich foods.

4. Potassium, a mineral, is effective in treating severe hypertension, stroke, muscle atrophy, heart disease, rickets, and even cancer. Since the recommended intake of potassium is between 2000 and 4000 mg, and it is not yet confirmed how much role potassium can play in saving lives, I suggest that you eat as much potassium-containing foods as possible, because the potassium in the human body mainly comes from food. Beans (such as black beans, green beans, fresh peas), lean meat, dairy products, eggs, potatoes, tea, sunflower seeds, grains, raisins, green leafy vegetables (such as spinach, beets, etc.), fruits (such as bananas, oranges, lemons, apricots, plums, nectarines), etc. are rich in potassium.