Difference between revisions of "Treat Low Potassium Blood Levels"

Your body uses potassium to do everything from maintaining fluid balances to keeping your brain and heart functioning as they’re meant to.<ref name="rf1">http://www.webmd.com/food-recipes/potassium-sources-and-benefits?page=1</ref> Despite the wide availability of potassium-rich foods, many people commonly receive as little as half of their daily suggested intake of potassium.<ref name="rf2">http://www.webmd.com/food-recipes/potassium-sources-and-benefits?page=2</ref> By understanding the symptoms of a potassium deficiency and knowing the safest ways to boost your daily potassium intake, you can easily treat your own low potassium levels.

#Look for symptoms of low potassium levels. Having either too much or too little potassium in your blood can lead to health complications. Having a low level of potassium in your blood is called hypokalemia.<ref name="rf3">http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/002413.htm</ref> Effects of hypokalemia can include weak muscles, an abnormal heart rhythm, and a slight rise in blood pressure.<ref name="rf3" /> Additional symptoms can include:<ref name="rf4">http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000479.htm</ref>

#Look for common causes of low potassium levels. Several common and not so common health-related occurrences can contribute to low potassium levels. You have suffer a drop in potassium levels due to:<ref name="rf4" />

#Watch for signs of hyperkalemia. Hyperkalemia is the presence of too much potassium in your blood.<ref name="rf5">http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/001179.htm</ref> The condition often has few symptoms, but you may notice nausea, a weak or irregular pulse, or a slow heartbeat to the point of collapse.<ref name="rf5" /> If you experience any of these symptoms in association with an increased-potassium diet, then you should see your doctor immediately.

#* Your kidneys typically help expel excess potassium through your urine. This makes hyperkalemia more common in those with kidney and other conditions, as well as those with Addison’s disease, those taking taking blood pressure drugs, those with hemolytic anemia, and those with certain tumors.<ref name="rf5" />

#See your doctor. If you suspect that you have low levels of potassium, then you should see your doctor before turning to supplements or other methods of boosting your potassium intake. When straying from a standard diet, you can easily overdo it and end up with too much potassium in your diet. Experts suggest 4,700 mg of potassium a day in a balanced diet.<ref name="rf2" /> Your doctor will run the appropriate blood tests to determine your actual potassium levels, and he will prescribe the correct course of action for you based on those results.

#Add more dairy products to your diet. Dairy products deliver some of the highest sources of potassium you can find in a single serving of food. One cup of yogurt, for instance, contains roughly 579 mg of potassium.<ref name="rf6">http://www.ext.colostate.edu/pubs/foodnut/09355.html</ref> One cup of nonfat milk can contain as much as 382 mg of potassium.<ref name="rf6" />

#Eat more high-potassium fruits. Select fruits are great sources of potassium. Make sure you choose a potassium-rich fruit, though, because not all fruits are created equal in this regard. Fruits high in potassium include:<ref name="rf6" /><ref name="rf7">http://www.drugs.com/cg/potassium-content-of-foods-list.html</ref>

#Add more vegetables that are high in potassium. Fruits aren’t the only potassium-rich options. You can also get plenty of potassium in several common vegetables. Some of the best varieties include:<ref name="rf6" /><ref name="rf7" />

#Add more meat that is rich in potassium. Though not as much as some other options, you can still find a decent amount of potassium in several meat sources. The amount of potassium in a three-ounce serving of common meat options is:<ref name="rf6" /><ref name="rf7" />

#Eat seafoods that are a good source of potassium. Fish is also a good source of potassium. For a three-ounce serving of fish, you can find:<ref name="rf6" />

#Add high-potassium nuts and legumes. Many varieties of nuts and legumes are also good sources of potassium. Additionally, they’re often great sources of protein, fiber, and other minerals. High-potassium options include:<ref name="rf6" /><ref name="rf7" />

#Use molasses in recipes. Though not an ingredient people often use (and an unexpected source of nutrients), molasses contains 498 mg of potassium in one tbsp.<ref name="rf6" /> Drizzled onto yogurt, oatmeal, of used in smoothies is a great way to easily add the potassium boost of molasses to some common food items.<ref name="rf8">http://www.organicauthority.com/health/how-and-why-to-use-molasses.html</ref>

#Learn which foods are low in potassium. In addition to focusing on high-potassium foods, you should also know the common foods that are low in potassium. Some of these options are still very healthy, but if potassium is your focus, then they do not make good choices. Low-potassium foods include:<ref name="rf6" /><ref name="rf7" />

#Talk to your doctor about potassium replacement therapy. One of the biggest risks associated with low potassium is arrhythmia, or irregular heart beat. Older adults and those with preexisting heart disease are at higher risk for arrhythmia. If your doctor suspects you have severe low potassium, he may run tests to rule out other conditions, such as renal tubular acidosis, Cushing syndrome, and hypocalcemia, and confirm your diagnosis.<ref name="rf9">http://www.emedicinehealth.com/low_potassium/page4_em.htm#low_potassium_diagnosis</ref>

#*If you are taking heart medication already, such as a digitalis meant to strengthen your heart, your doctor will wan to check your digoxin levels.<ref name="rf9" />

#*Your doctor may also order an EKG to detect any irregularities in your heartbeat.<ref name="rf9" />

#Get IV potassium replacement therapy. If your doctor confirms you have severely low potassium, arrhythmia, or severe symptoms your doctor will likely give you potassium intravenously.<ref name="rf10">http://www.emedicinehealth.com/low_potassium/page5_em.htm</ref> The potassium will be administered very slowly, under the observation of a doctor, to make sure it does not affect your heart.<ref name="rf10" />

#Take potassium in pill or liquid form. You will take most potassium supplements orally in the form of either pills, liquids, or powders.<ref name="rf11">http://www.mayoclinic.org/drugs-supplements/potassium-supplement-oral-route-parenteral-route/description/drg-20070753</ref> Many multivitamins also contain potassium. Ensure that you follow the dosage your doctor has prescribed without going over or under the dosage. This will ensure consistently healthy potassium blood levels.

#* Doctors commonly prescribe potassium supplements at the same time as another medication that can deplete potassium levels.<ref name="rf11" /> If your doctor puts you on one of these medications, then she may suggest potassium supplements even if your current levels are within range.

#Follow up with your doctor. Your doctor will want to run follow-up tests, checking your potassium levels and checking that her prescribed treatment is working. The follow up will likely be two to three days following your initial treatment.<ref name="rf10" />

*Use caution when self-prescribing potassium. It is possible to have too much potassium in your body, which carries its own load of health problems and side effects, including a variety of heart problems. People with kidney disease should not take potassium without a doctor’s supervision.<ref name="rf5" />