What are the symptoms of hypokalemia

Hypokalemia is an internal medicine disease. Hypokalemia is also called potassium deficiency. Hypokalemia means that the serum potassium concentration in the body is lower than the normal value. The symptoms of hypokalemia are more obvious. Patients may experience symptoms in their limbs, as well as digestive system symptoms and some complications.

1. Neuromuscular system

It manifests as decreased neurological and muscle irritability. 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. Digestive system

Potassium deficiency can cause weakened intestinal motility. Mild cases may cause loss of appetite, nausea, and constipation. Severe hypokalemia can cause abdominal distension and paralytic intestinal obstruction.

3. Complications

The most obvious symptom of hypokalemia is abnormal heart function. The main manifestation is bradycardia. You can identify based on this. In addition, does the weakness include eyelid weakness (difficulty opening and closing the eyes)? Sudden weakness in the distal end of one upper limb lasts for some time and then eases. If present, myasthenia gravis should also be ruled out.

4. Disease diagnosis

Mainly based on medical history and clinical manifestations. When serum potassium measurement shows blood K+ <3.5mmol/L, the diagnosis can be made when symptoms appear. However, in the case of dehydration or acidosis, serum K+ may not show a decrease. In addition, electrocardiogram examination can more sensitively reflect hypokalemia. The main manifestations of the electrocardiogram are prolonged QT interval, decreased ST segment, flat, widened, biphasic, inverted T wave or the appearance of U wave.