What are the symptoms of potassium deficiency in the human body?

The problem of potassium deficiency in the human body must not be ignored, because it may cause many adverse symptoms, such as apathy, confusion or coma, abdominal distension and paralysis, intestinal obstruction, and long-term low potassium may also cause potassium deficiency kidney disease or renal dysfunction, leading to increased nocturia, urinary retention and other problems.

(1) The neuromuscular system manifests as decreased irritability of nerves and muscles. When serum K+ is less than 3.0mmol/L, weakness of the limbs muscles may occur. When it is lower than 2.5mmol/L, flaccid paralysis may occur, most prominently in the limbs muscles, and tendon reflexes may be sluggish or disappear. When the respiratory muscles are affected, breathing difficulties may occur. Symptoms of the central nervous system include depression, fatigue, apathy, drowsiness, confusion, and even coma.

(2) Potassium deficiency in the digestive system can cause weakened intestinal motility. Mild cases may cause loss of appetite, nausea, and constipation. Severe hypokalemia can cause abdominal distension and paralytic ileus.

(3) When the cardiovascular system is hypokalemic, myocardial excitability is generally increased, and palpitations and arrhythmias may occur. In severe cases, atrioventricular block, ventricular tachycardia and ventricular fibrillation may occur, and finally the heart stops beating in a contraction state. In addition, it can also cause decreased myocardial tension, heart enlargement, peripheral vascular dilation, and decreased blood pressure.

(4) Long-term hypokalemia in the urinary system can cause potassium-deficient nephropathy and renal dysfunction, decreased renal concentrating function, polyuria with low specific gravity, especially increased nocturia. This may be due to damage to distal tubular cells, reduced response to antidiuretic hormone, and reduced water reabsorption capacity. In addition, potassium deficiency will cause the bladder smooth muscle tension to decrease, urinary retention may occur, and patients are often prone to pyelonephritis.

(5) Acid-base imbalance and hypokalemia can lead to metabolic alkali poisoning.