How does low potassium affect the body?

There are many nutrients in our body that are very important. If any one of them is lacking, it may lead to abnormal conditions in the human body. For example, when calcium is deficient, it is not only easy to affect physical development, but may also affect bone health. So the question is, when potassium is low, will it also have an impact on the human body? Let me give you the answer below.

1. Digestive system

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

2. Cardiovascular system

When blood potassium is low, myocardial excitability generally increases, 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.

3. Neuromuscular system

It manifests as decreased nerve and muscle irritability, weakness of the limb muscles, flaccid paralysis, slow or absent tendon reflexes and other kidney disease symptoms. In severe cases, breathing difficulties and even coma may occur.

4. Urinary system

Long-term hypokalemia 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 balance disorder

Hypokalemia can lead to metabolic alkali poisoning.

Now we know the harm of hypokalemia to our body. From this we can understand that the disease can have a very serious impact on us, so many people hope to prevent these diseases through their own efforts. For the health of ourselves and our families, we must spend every day of our lives seriously.