Hypokalemia: Treatment, Procedure, Cost and Side Effects

Hypokalemia is also known as low potassium symptom . It is not commonly caused by poor dietary intake.The most common reason that potassium levels fall is due to the loss from the gastrointestinal (GI) tract and the kidney.Potassium loss from the GI tract may be caused by:Vomiting,Diarrhea, Ileostomy which is in some patients who have had bowel surgery and have an ileostomy, the stool output can contain significant amounts of potassium.Villous adenoma (a type of colon polyp that can cause the colon to leak potassium)Laxative use.

Serum potassium levels above 3.0 mEq/liter are not considered dangerous or of great concern; they can be treated with potassium replacement by mouth. Depending on the patient's medical condition, other medical problems, and the patient's symptoms, serum levels lower than 3.0 mEq/liter may require intravenous replacement. Decisions are patient-specific and depend upon the diagnosis, the circumstances of the illness, and the patient's ability to tolerate fluid and medication by mouth.

Over the short-term, with self-limited illnesses like gastroenteritis with vomiting and diarrhea, the body is able to regulate and restore potassium levels on its own. However, if the hypokalemia is severe, or the losses of potassium are predicted to be ongoing, potassium replacement or supplementation may be required.

Serum potassium levels above 3.0 mEq/liter are not considered dangerous or of great concern; they can be treated with potassium replacement by mouth. Depending on the patient's medical condition, other medical problems, and the patient's symptoms, serum levels lower than 3.0 mEq/liter may require intravenous replacement. Decisions are patient-specific and depend upon the diagnosis, the circumstances of the illness, and the patient's ability to tolerate fluid and medication by mouth.

Over the short-term, with self-limited illnesses like gastroenteritis with vomiting and diarrhea, the body is able to regulate and restore potassium levels on its own. However, if the hypokalemia is severe, or the losses of potassium are predicted to be ongoing, potassium replacement or supplementation may be required.

In those patients taking diuretics, often a small amount of oral potassium may be prescribed since the loss will continue as long as the medication is prescribed. Oral supplements may be in pill or liquid form, and the dosages are measured in mEq (milliequivalent). Common doses are 10-20mEq per day. Alternatively, consumption of foods high in potassium may be the first option in replacing potassium. Bananas, apricots, oranges, and tomatoes are high in potassium content. Since potassium is excreted in the kidney, blood tests that monitor kidney function may be ordered to predict and prevent potassium levels from rising too high.

If you are suffering from any of the problems like Severe diarrhea (greater than 5 stools in a day).Nausea that interferes with your ability to eat, and is unrelieved by any prescribed medications.Vomiting (vomiting more than 4-5 times in a 24 hour period).Muscle weakness, or a poor appetite that does not improve.Shortness of breath, chest pain or discomfort, should be evaluated immediately without any delay.Feeling your heart beat rapidly (palpitations).You should contact your doctor immediately to check up on your health.

Follow all of your healthcare provider's recommendations for follow up blood work and laboratory tests.Follow your healthcare provider's instructions regarding raising your blood potassium level. If your blood test results show your levels are severely lowered, he or she may prescribe potassium supplements, either in the pill or an intravenous (IV) form.Advice given by the doctors should be followed properly .

The length of time it takes to correct a potassium deficiency varies from person to person, so it’s difficult to give a definitive answer that applies to everyone. First, the cause of the deficiency must be diagnosed and corrected if you hope to maintain an optimal level of potassium in the body. From there, a doctor must take a blood sample to establish the severity of your deficiency, which can help determine the amount and form of potassium needed. Always talk to your doctor before taking a potassium supplement, particularly when dosages are more than those found in multivitamins, which is no more than 99 mg.

The treatment cost for Hypokalemia is not known.

If the potassium level in the body falls to an abnormal level, hypokalemia develops again.Normally the potassium level in the blood should be between 3.6 and 4.8 milliequivalent per liter.Proper observation of potassium level have to be monitored.If it drops low you are again at the risk of developing the disease. Eating potassium rich foods including fruits and vegetables should help increase potassium level.