Symptoms of hypokalemia?

summary

There are many patients with hypokalemia in our life. When we find its symptoms, we should immediately go to the hospital for treatment. When we find hypokalemia, we should pay more attention to diet. As long as we pay attention to diet, the disease of hypokalemia will recover. Now, let's take a look at the symptoms of hypokalemia!

Symptoms of hypokalemia?

The common symptoms of neuromuscular system are myasthenia and paroxysmal soft paralysis. The latter may have myasthenia before the attack. Although the attack is related to the absolute level of plasma [k], it is more closely related to the intracellular and extracellular [k] gradient. The greater the gradient is, the greater the difference between resting potential and threshold potential is, so as to reduce muscle excitability. Paralysis may also occur when the plasma [k] rises, The most common muscle involved is the limbs. The head and neck muscles are not affected, but the respiratory muscles may be involved, resulting in dyspnea. Before the attack, there may be numbness in the limbs, followed by fatigue, and finally autonomous activities disappear completely. Generally, the symptoms of the proximal muscles are milder than those of the distal muscles, and the patients cannot stand, walk, sit or squat, The lighter one can barely stand up with reliable hand support, sleep on the bed and can't turn over by himself, and can also have painful spasm or hand foot convulsion. The central nervous system is mostly normal and conscious, and can have mental symptoms such as apathy, depression, sleepiness, memory and disorientation. The brain nerve is rarely affected, the shallow nerve reflex is weakened or completely disappeared, but the deep tendon reflex is not, Abdominal wall reflex was less affected.

Hypokalemia of cardiovascular system can reduce myocardial stress and lead to various arrhythmias and conduction block. Mild cases have sinus tachycardia, atrial or ventricular premature contraction and atrioventricular conduction block; In severe cases, paroxysmal atrial or ventricular tachycardia, even ventricular fibrillation, potassium deficiency can add digitalis and antimony poisoning, which can lead to death, peripheral vascular dilation and blood pressure drop; The changes of ECG have been described in pathophysiology. EKG appears U wave, which often indicates that the loss of potassium in the body is at least 500 mmol / L.

Long term hypokalemia of urinary system can damage renal tubules and cause potassium deficiency nephropathy. Renal tubular concentration, ammonia synthesis, hydrogen secretion and Cl - reabsorption function can be decreased or enhanced. Sodium excretion function or sodium reabsorption function can also be decreased. The net result can lead to metabolic hypokalemia and hypochlorotic alkalosis.

matters needing attention

The incidence of hypokalemia is high, and its symptoms are often covered by the primary disease, which is easy to be misdiagnosed. Therefore, for long-term less food, fasting, diuretic or massive vomiting, diarrhea patients, should be timely supplement of potassium. In addition, in metabolic acidosis, serum potassium may not be low. When the acidosis is corrected, hypokalemia may appear. Hypokalemia is often accompanied by hypocalcemia and hypomagnesemia. Their symptoms are confused with each other. Attention should be paid to supplement potassium and appropriate calcium and magnesium at the same time.