A middle-aged woman presented with episodic weakness of the bilateral thumbs lasting for 2 years. Hypokalemia and a left adrenal mass were subsequently found. [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]

Eleven patients had a history of recurring muscle weakness. All patients had quadraparesis (muscle weakness in all four limbs); in 10 patients the weakness was severe. [acutecaretesting.org]

A 32-year-old woman who had been diagnosed with PBC at our hospital was found to have hypokalemia due to repeated fatigue for 2 years, and the etiology was unknown. [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]

Weakness and fatigue are often the first signs of potassium deficiency. There are several ways that this mineral deficiency can cause weakness and fatigue. First, potassium helps regulate muscle contractions. [healthline.com]

We ask about general symptoms (anxious mood, depressed mood, fatigue, pain, and stress) regardless of condition. Last updated: January 31, 2019 [patientslikeme.com]

Even though general muscular weakness and fatigue are quite normal during pregnancy, you need to be extra careful about your health. [momjunction.com]

Nocturnal leg cramps[edit] Nocturnal leg cramps are involuntary muscle contractions that occur in the calves, soles of the feet, or other muscles in the body during the night or (less commonly) while resting. [en.wikipedia.org]

Rhabdomyolysis, myoglobinuria, severe muscle weakness, paralysis, respiratory distress, and respiratory arrest are observed. [dovepress.com]

Muscle Damage Muscle Weakness or spasms Paralysis [2] Nausea and vomiting Polyuria, nocturia or polydipsia Altered mental status Signs of Ileus Hypotension Cardia arrest Bradycardia or Tachycardia Premature atrial or ventricular beats Hypoventilation/Respiratory [physio-pedia.com]

Clinical features  Signs of ileus  Hypotension  Ventricular arrhythmias  Cardiac arrest  Bradycardia or tachycardia  Premature atrial or ventricular beats • Hypoventilation, respiratory distress • Respiratory failure • Lethargy or other mental status [slideshare.net]

On physical examination the patient was fully conscious, but in acute respiratory distress wearing a face mask with high oxygen flow supplementation. [ajns.paans.org]

Clinical features include transient periods of muscle weakness and tetany, dizziness, abdominal pains and constipation. Patients can also present with convulsions due to severe metabolic alkalosis or hypomagnesemia. [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]

According to the Linus Pauling Institute, intestinal paralysis is manifested as abdominal pain and other symptoms such as constipation and bloating. Tests To determine if a person has hypokalemia, several blood tests are run. [livestrong.com]

[…] sweating Symptoms Of Hypokalemia If there is a slight depreciation in the level of potassium, then it may not lead to any significant symptom but if there are symptoms then they include the following: Dysrhythmias, especially in people with heart problems Constipation [epainassist.com]

Proximal muscle weakness is observed most commonly in lower extremities; cranial muscles are normal, but constipation and distention are prominent. Severe hypokalemia develops when serum K falls below 2.5 mEq/L. [dovepress.com]

When symptoms do occur, they may include: Fatigue Muscle weakness Constipation Difficulty breathing Tingling or numbness Irregular heartbeat Fainting You will be asked about your symptoms and medical history. A physical exam will be done. [health.cvs.com]

A 54-year-old woman presented with a history of nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and recurrent episodes of severe hypokalemia requiring hospitalization. [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]

Vomiting Associations: Abdominal pain nausea Pathophysiology: The parietal cells within the gastric mucosa utilize the K /H ATPase pump to regulate the gastric contents of K and H ions. When vomiting occurs, there is a loss of both. [ebmconsult.com]

[…] thiazides) angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor adrenal insufficiency euvolemic hyponatremia psychogenic polydipsia hypothyroidism syndrome of inappropriate anti-diuretic hormone (SIADH) diuretic use ACE inhibitors Presentation stupor coma seizures nausea [step2.medbullets.com]

Although Gitelman syndrome (n 33), Bartter syndrome (n 10), and distal renal tubular acidosis (n 12) were the predominant renal tubular disorders, 44 patients (44%) were diagnosed with anorexia/bulimia nervosa (n 21), surreptitious use of laxatives (n [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]

Diarrhea or vomiting Medicines, such as diuretics, blood pressure medicines, or antibiotics Excessive use of laxatives Anorexia or bulimia nervosa Medical conditions, such as Cushing syndrome or kidney disease Not eating enough foods that contain potassium [drugs.com]

Hypokalemia: A Marker of Covert Bulimia Nervosa. Am J Med. 2015 Sep. 128 (9):e37. [Medline]. Mohee K, Kucharska-Pietura K, Karthigeyan A, Naqvi A. [emedicine.medscape.com]

Failures to thrive, chronic diarrhea, vomiting abdominal distension are usual symptoms. [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]

Involvement of GI muscles can cause an ileus with associated symptoms of nausea, vomiting, and abdominal distension. Severe hypokalemia can also lead to muscle cramps, rhabdomyolysis, and resultant myoglobinuria. [statpearls.com]

Patients presented with symptoms typical of bowel obstruction including abdominal distension, nausea and vomiting. The majority had diarrhea, but constipation was described in a subset of patients. [karger.com]

bowel sounds Easy way to Remember 7 L’s Lethargy (confusion) Low, shallow respirations (due to decreased ability to use accessory muscles for breathing) Lethal cardiac dysrhythmias Lots of urine Leg cramps Limp muscles Low BP & Heart Nursing Interventions [registerednursern.com]

A 38-year-old obese woman presented with recurrent polymorphic ventricular tachycardia secondary to persistent hypokalemia necessitating more than 40 DC shocks. [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]

[…] smaller preceding T waves becomes apparent on the ECG. 1,2 A pseudo-prolonged QT interval may be seen, which is actually the QU interval with an absent T wave. 1 Severe hypokalemia can also cause a variety of tachyarrhythmias, including ventricular tachycardia [doi.org]

Increased automaticity of Purkinje fibers may lead to the development of one or more ECTOPIC pacemaker sites in the ventricles, causing ventricular premature beats, tachycardia and fibrillation. [youtube.com]

She was admitted to the hospital for headache and tachycardia during the last two days after she did some sports and coinciding with an increase in the consumption of a beverages containing taurine. She denied chest pain or dyspnoea. [revistanefrologia.com]

We conclude that rapid correction of respiratory acidosis, especially in the setting of hypotension, can lead to life-threatening hypokalemia. [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]

Arrhythmias associated with hypotension are premature ventricular contractions and ventricular tachycardia and fibrillation. [journals.lww.com]

[…] individual with Hypokalemia may exhibit signs of the following: Abnormal heart rhythyms Constipation Fatigue Muscle Damage Muscle Weakness or spasms Paralysis [2] Nausea and vomiting Polyuria, nocturia or polydipsia Altered mental status Signs of Ileus Hypotension [physio-pedia.com]

Symptoms may include muscle weakness, cramping, tremor, intestinal obstruction, hypotension, respiratory depression and abnormal heart rhythms. [youtube.com]

This feeling is known as a heart palpitation and is commonly linked to stress or anxiety. However, heart palpitations can also be a sign of potassium deficiency (13). [healthline.com]

Of Hypokalemia If there is a slight depreciation in the level of potassium, then it may not lead to any significant symptom but if there are symptoms then they include the following: Dysrhythmias, especially in people with heart problems Constipation Palpitations [epainassist.com]

If you have muscle cramps, weakness, palpitations, or feel faint and you are taking a diuretic (water pill), contact your healthcare professional or go to an urgent care facility or hospital emergency department immediately. [emedicinehealth.com]

This is most common in people who take digitalis medications (digoxin) or have irregular heart rhythm conditions such as: fibrillation, atrial or ventricular tachycardia (heartbeat too fast) bradycardia (heartbeat too slow) premature heartbeats Other [healthline.com]

ECG or a heart tracing is done to detect electrical changes in the heart and certain types of irregular heart rhythms that may be caused by low potassium. [emedicinehealth.com]

Citing Literature Number of times cited according to CrossRef: 3 Konrad Miszczuk, Joanna Mroczek-Wacinska, Robert Piekarski, Beata Wysocka- Lukasik, Renata Jawniak and Iwona Ben-Skowronek, Ventricular bigeminy and trigeminy caused by hypophosphataemia [doi.org]

When the kidneys are functioning normally, the amount of potassium in the diet is sufficient for use by the body and the excess is usually excreted through urine and sweat. [rarediseases.org]

Other causes include: Diarrhea Dietary deficiency Excessive sweating Magnesium deficiency (causes overexcretion of fluid) Signs and Symptoms of Hypokalemia Symptoms of deficiency include cardiac arrhythmia, muscle pain, general discomfort or irritability [healthcommunities.com]

[…] ventricular beats Hypoventilation/Respiratory distress Respiratory failure Lethargy Edema (Cushingoid appearance) [4] Associated Co-morbidities Hypokalemia may present as a result of: Chronic Kidney Failure Diabetic Ketoacidosis Diarrhea/Vomiting Excessive Sweating [physio-pedia.com]

Causes of potassium loss include: Alcohol use (excessive) Chronic kidney disease Diabetic ketoacidosis Diarrhea Diuretics (water retention relievers) Excessive laxative use Excessive sweating Folic acid deficiency Primary aldosteronism Some antibiotic [mayoclinic.org]

A 25-year-old female patient presenting after a fall with muscle weakness in both legs was followed clinically and radiographically. [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]

Eleven patients had a history of recurring muscle weakness. All patients had quadraparesis (muscle weakness in all four limbs); in 10 patients the weakness was severe. [acutecaretesting.org]

Rhabdomyolysis, myoglobinuria, severe muscle weakness, paralysis, respiratory distress, and respiratory arrest are observed. [dovepress.com]

More severe cases might cause: Muscle twitches Muscle cramps or weakness Muscles that will not move (paralysis) Abnormal heart rhythms Kidney problems Get useful, helpful and relevant health wellness information enews More health news info [my.clevelandclinic.org]

twitches, tetany, and rhabomyolysis; nephropathy from potassium deficit impairs the concentrating mechanism Hypokalemia; lower than normal levels of potassium in the circulating blood Lower than normal levels of potassium in the circulating blood Applies [icd9data.com]

According to the National Organization for Rare Disorders, these symptoms can include: muscle weakness that can result in paralysis respiratory failure low blood pressure muscle twitching cramping during exercise feeling very thirsty excessive urination [medicalnewstoday.com]

Muscular malfunction may result in paralysis of the bowel, low blood pressure, muscle twitches and mineral deficiencies (tetany). Severe hypokalemia may also lead to disruption of skeletal muscle cells, particularly during exercise. [rarediseases.org]

sign ipsilateral facial muscle contraction caused by tapping the facial nerve Trousseau sign carpopedal spasms by inflating the sphygmomanometer above systolic blood pressure Studies QTc prolongation Treatment address underlying cause asymptomatic or [step2.medbullets.com]

Differential diagnoses include restless legs syndrome, claudication, myositis, and peripheral neuropathy. [en.wikipedia.org]

Her history included hypertension, anxiety disorder and heroin abuse. She never reported any muscle weakness, vomiting or diarrhoea. Her dietary pattern was very deficient, with a high consumption of Red Bull energy drinks. [njmonline.nl]

Weak pulses (irregular and thread) Orthostatic Hypotension Depression ST, flat or inverted T wave and prominent u-wave Shallow respirations with diminished breath sounds….due to weakness of accessory muscle movement to breath) Confusion, weak Flaccid [registerednursern.com]

Symptoms Mild hypokalemia usually results in no symptoms, while moderate hypokalemia results in confusion, disorientation, weakness, and discomfort of muscles. On occasion, moderate hypokalemia causes cramps during exercise. [medical-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com]

This may help explain the still confusing and unresolved relationship between lysozymuria and potassium wasting in leukemia. ( Arch Intern Med 1981;141:786-787) [jamanetwork.com]

Snapshot A 56-year-old man is brought to the emergency department by his son due to mild confusion and shortness of breath. Prior to symptom develop he needed to sleep on a recliner due to feeling short of breath while supine. [step2.medbullets.com]

There may also be heart irregularities seen in electrocardiograph changes, confusion, distention of the abdomen, a decrease in mental activity. [rarediseases.org]

Patients with hypertension who frequently complain of unrefreshed sleep, daytime sleepiness, impaired concentration, fatigue, and lethargy commonly suffer from hypokalemia. [empr.com]

Hypokalemia may mimic neurovegetative symptoms, such as weakness, lethargy, apathy, fatigue, and depressed mood (2). [ajp.psychiatryonline.org]

T wave and prominent u-wave Shallow respirations with diminished breath sounds….due to weakness of accessory muscle movement to breath) Confusion, weak Flaccid paralysis Decrease deep tendon reflexes Decreased bowel sounds Easy way to Remember 7 L’s Lethargy [registerednursern.com]

Paralysis [2] Nausea and vomiting Polyuria, nocturia or polydipsia Altered mental status Signs of Ileus Hypotension Cardia arrest Bradycardia or Tachycardia Premature atrial or ventricular beats Hypoventilation/Respiratory distress Respiratory failure Lethargy [physio-pedia.com]

Severe hypokalemia (plasma potassium 2.5 mmol/L) is usually associated with acute flaccid paralysis that can range from mild muscle weakness to severe paralysis. [acutecaretesting.org]

The paralysis that occurs is "flaccid paralysis," or limpness. Paralysis of the muscles of the lungs results in death. [medical-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com]

Weak pulses (irregular and thread) Orthostatic Hypotension Depression ST, flat or inverted T wave and prominent u-wave Shallow respirations with diminished breath sounds….due to weakness of accessory muscle movement to breath) Confusion, weak Flaccid [registerednursern.com]

Licensed under Public domain via Wikimedia Commons – Ascending muscle weakness is a manifestation of hyperkalemia that can progress to flaccid paralysis that is comparable to Guillain-Barre syndrome.10 Hyperkalemic periodic paralysis is an autosomal dominant [acls.com]

As weakness progresses, the patient develops paresthesia and leg cramps. Deep tendon reflexes may be decreased or absent and respiratory muscles can become paralyzed. Because potassium affects cell function, hypokalemia can lead to rhabdomyolysis. [journals.lww.com]

Additionally, hypokalemia can mimic anxiety reactions, such as headache, irritability, nervousness, paresthesias, visual disturbances, and muscle discomfort (3). [ajp.psychiatryonline.org]

If you experience persistent paresthesia, it’s best to see your doctor. Summary Persistent tingles and numbness may be a sign of impaired nerve function due to potassium deficiency. [healthline.com]

This syndrome presents with acute ascending muscle weakness and loss of deep tendon reflexes (DTR), often preceded by distal paresthesia and back pain. [ajns.paans.org]

GS most commonly manifests with muscle weakness, salt craving, thirst, nocturia, paresthesia (especially in the face), tetany, and abdominal pain ( 3 ). Blood pressure is typically lower than that in the general population. [clinchem.aaccjnls.org]

Clinical features include transient periods of muscle weakness and tetany, dizziness, abdominal pains and constipation. Patients can also present with convulsions due to severe metabolic alkalosis or hypomagnesemia. [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]

Others, such as iron-deficiency anemia, may result from heavy menstrual periods, ulcers, colon pol ... yps and even an iron-poor diet, making you dizzy, cold, weak and irritable. [sharecare.com]

The "Cardinal Presentations Section" provides quick and easy reference to differential diagnosis and directed testing for fever in the adult patient; dizziness and vertigo; chest pain; and over 20 other frequently seen presentations in the emergency department [books.google.ca]

Patients with either Bartter or Gitelman syndrome may present with constipation, muscle cramps and weakness and non-specific dizziness and fatigue. [ec.bioscientifica.com]

Clinical signs include salt craving, cramps, muscle weakness and aches, fatigue, generalised weakness and dizziness, nocturia and polydipsia. Incidental finding. [patient.info]

Genitourinary Polyuria or sexual dysfunction. [2] Medical Management (current best evidence) Severe hypokalmeia levels that cause ECG changes such as T-wave flattening or prominent U waves require hospital admission. [physio-pedia.com]

Predisposing factors General Polyuria increases urinary loss of potassium. Anorexia reduces dietary intake. Pathophysiology Vast majority (95%) of body potassium is present intracellularly. [vetstream.com]

Persistent hypokalemia can impair renal concentrating ability, causing polyuria with secondary polydipsia. [merckmanuals.com]

[…] between gender and race. [3] Characteristics/Clinical An individual with Hypokalemia may exhibit signs of the following: Abnormal heart rhythyms Constipation Fatigue Muscle Damage Muscle Weakness or spasms Paralysis [2] Nausea and vomiting Polyuria, nocturia [physio-pedia.com]

GS most commonly manifests with muscle weakness, salt craving, thirst, nocturia, paresthesia (especially in the face), tetany, and abdominal pain ( 3 ). Blood pressure is typically lower than that in the general population. [clinchem.aaccjnls.org]

In contrast, Gitelman patients often complain of nocturia and polyuria. Persistent hypokalemia may give rise to interstitial nephritis, signaled by urinary anomalies. Urinary calcium excretion is important because it distinguishes the two syndromes. [ec.bioscientifica.com]

Clinical signs include salt craving, cramps, muscle weakness and aches, fatigue, generalised weakness and dizziness, nocturia and polydipsia. Incidental finding. [patient.info]

[…] hyperviscosity syndrome 過粘稠血症候群 hypervitaminosis A ビタミンA過剰症 hypervitaminosis D ビタミンD過剰症 hypoalbuminemia 低アルブミン血症 hypoaldosteronism 低アルドステロン症/低アルドステロン hypoallergenic product 低アレルギー製品 hypocalcemia 低カルシウム血症/低カルシウム血 hypocalciuric hypercalcemia 低カルシウム尿性高カルシウム血症 hypocapnia [jpeds.or.jp]

[…] and toxins (acetazolamide, outdated tetracycline, aminoglycosides, sodium valproate, 6-mercaptopurine, streptozotocin, iphosphamide, lead, cadmium, mercury) Associated with other clinical entities (vitamin D deficiency, hyperparathyroidism, chronic hypocapnia [mja.com.au]

Renal losses  Non-reabsorbable anions: Non- reabsorbable anions in the distal nephron like penicillin, nafacillin, dicloxacillin,ticarcillin,oxacillin,carbencilli n and other anions like bicarbonate increase obligatory K excretion and thereby kaliuresis [slideshare.net]

SEE ALSO Chest Pain Assessment Cover image depicts an ECG from a person with a potassium level of 1.1 showing the classical ECG changes of ST segment depression, inverted T waves, large U waves, and a slightly prolonged PR interval. [ausmed.com]

Hypokalemia Other names Hypokalaemia, hypopotassaemia, hypopotassemia An ECG in a person with a potassium level of 1.1 meq/l showing the classical changes of ST segment depression, inverted T waves, large U waves, and a slightly prolonged PR interval. [en.wikipedia.org]

The following signs and symptoms should raise the concern for hyperkalemia: Cardiac manifestations: -Peaked T waves -Shortened QT interval -Prolonged PR interval -Flattening of P wave -Widened QRS interval -Bundle branch and atrioventricular conduction [cancertherapyadvisor.com]

When the U wave exceeds the T-wave amplitude, the serum potassium level is 3 mEq/L. 2 In severe hypokalemia, T- and U-wave fusion with giant U waves masking the smaller preceding T waves becomes apparent on the ECG. 1,2 A pseudo-prolonged QT interval [doi.org]

Changes include: U waves (most important; represents delayed ventricular repolarization) flattened or inverted T waves depressed ST segment prolonged QT interval Prolonged QT interval, prolonging action potential duration, and increasing spontaneous firing [sharinginhealth.ca]

U-wave prominence May fuse with the T-wave to produce a prolonged QT interval (technically a Q-T-U interval). ST segments may appear depressed. QT prolongation, which may predict risk of arrhythmia. [emcrit.org]

QT interval, however the true QT is actually unchanged Investigation Patients with hypokalaemia should be investigated and managed appropriately due to the associated risks, especially of cardiac arrhythmias. [teachmesurgery.com]

In patients in whom one of the periodic paralysis syndromes is suspected, the EKG may be useful diagnostically, since a prolonged QT interval is characteristically seen in Andersen syndrome and not seen in hypokalemic periodic paralysis or thyrotoxic [clinicaladvisor.com]

In addition, it reiterates the importance of repeated history taking in a patient with undiagnosed hypokalemia and torsade de pointes which avoided a device therapy. [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]

de pointes, ventricular fibrillation. [escardio.org]

Furthermore, hypokalemia affects automaticity of the pacemaker cells and leads to multiple arrhythmias such as sinus bradycardia, atrioventricular block, atrial flutter and Torsades de Pointes. [meds.queensu.ca]

Citing Literature Number of times cited according to CrossRef: 3 Konrad Miszczuk, Joanna Mroczek-Wacinska, Robert Piekarski, Beata Wysocka- Lukasik, Renata Jawniak and Iwona Ben-Skowronek, Ventricular bigeminy and trigeminy caused by hypophosphataemia [doi.org]

Genitourinary Polyuria or sexual dysfunction. [2] Medical Management (current best evidence) Severe hypokalmeia levels that cause ECG changes such as T-wave flattening or prominent U waves require hospital admission. [physio-pedia.com]

These include flattening or inversion of T wave, increasingly prominent U wave, ST-segment depression, and prolonged QU interval. Hypokalemia-induced arrhythmias require immediate potassium replacement. [youtube.com]

Weak pulses (irregular and thread) Orthostatic Hypotension Depression ST, flat or inverted T wave and prominent u-wave Shallow respirations with diminished breath sounds….due to weakness of accessory muscle movement to breath) Confusion, weak Flaccid [registerednursern.com]

Prominent U waves after T waves in hypokalemia. [emedicine.medscape.com]

T-wave inversion U-wave elevation Clinical arrhythmias Heart block Atrial flutter Paroxysmal atrial tachycardia Ventricular fibrillation Digitalis-induced arrhythmias Musculoskeletal Cramping and impaired muscle contraction Means of Confirmation and [accesspharmacy.mhmedical.com]

Electrocardiograms may show a flattened T wave, a depressed ST segment, and a characteristic U wave. Arrhythmias associated with hypotension are premature ventricular contractions and ventricular tachycardia and fibrillation. [journals.lww.com]

ECG done early on suspicion of electrolyte abnormalities: Normal, flattened T waves, peaked P waves U wave. Management Cardiac monitoring and treatment of cause are the underlying principles. [aci.health.nsw.gov.au]

T wave Ref range 3.8-5.0 mmol/L–US: 3.8-5.0 mEq/L hy·po·ka·le·mi·a ( hī'pō-kă-lē'mē-ă ) The presence of an abnormally small concentration of potassium ions in the circulating blood; occurs in familial periodic paralysis and in potassium depletion due [medical-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com]

Typical ECG findings when potassium is Flat T waves ST depression Prominent U waves NB : the QT interval may appear prolonged but this is usually a pseudo-prolongation as the flattened T waves merge into the U waves. [patient.info]

Oral replacement is preferred except when there is no functioning bowel or in the setting of electrocardiogram changes, neurologic symptoms, cardiac ischemia, or digitalis therapy. [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]

Treatments involve inducing potassium loss.6-8 Electrocardiogram changes in hyperkalemia include a tall peaked T wave. [acls.com]