LOW POTASSIUM IN THE ELDERLY
LOW POTASSIUM IN THE ELDERLY
LOW POTASSIUM IN THE ELDERLY: CAUSES AND SYMPTOMS, The presence of this mineral in our body is of vital importance. Not in vain, its deficit can cause abnormal heart rhythms, especially if the person has a heart condition. All this can lead to dizziness, fainting, and, in extreme cases, heart-stopping. Of course, there are also a number of symptoms of low potassium in the elderly that we will address below.
Thus, we must know that when blood potassium levels are below the thresholds that are considered normal, we are facing hypokalaemia.
Potassium is involved in numerous functions of our body and if we do not have enough we can begin to present problems such as those that we will explain in this article. Let’s take a closer look at everything.
What is hypokalemia
As we said, when blood levels are too low, this leads to certain problems. We cannot forget that this mineral is necessary for cells, muscles and nerves to work properly.
How Low Potassium Affects the Elderly
Anyone can see their health suffer if they suffer from a low potassium level, but if the person is elderly, the symptoms and problems can even be more serious, since this discomfort can lead to significant falls.
Symptoms of hypokalemia in older people
In addition to the problems referred to at the beginning of this article, we can mention the following:
- Kidney ailments, especially if the potassium deficit continues over time and we do not remedy it in a timely manner. The person will urinate frequently and drink constantly because of it.
- Weakening of the muscles can even lead to paralysis.
- Cramps and jerks.
In any case, when it comes to a mild case, the person will hardly perceive any symptoms and everything, therefore, will be apparently normal.
Causes of low blood potassium
- Magnesium loss due to vomiting, an episode of diarrhea, or excessive use of laxatives.
- Intake of diuretic drugs that stimulate the kidneys and lead us to urinate incessantly. Thus, without realizing it, we eliminate sodium, water and minerals such as potassium.
- Diseases such as Cushing’s syndrome in which the adrenal glands produce excessive amounts of a hormone called aldosterone which causes the kidneys to excrete large amounts of potassium.
- The use of drugs such as insulin, albuterol, and terbutaline.
Care and treatment for hypokalemia
Once this problem is diagnosed by performing blood tests or even by measuring the amount of potassium in the urine, it is necessary to act to avoid further problems.
The usual treatment is to take potassium supplements in small doses that should be taken several times a day with food.
Can hypokalemia be prevented?
If we want to prevent this problem, we can choose to follow an adequate diet rich in potassium. In this way, we will have adequate levels of this mineral. Therefore, remember to regularly consume potatoes, bananas, carrots, milk, oranges, salmon, tomatoes or spinach, among many other products.
Frequently asked questions low potassium in the elderly
What happens when a person has low potassium?
Nighttime bed cramps and kidney ailments are two possible manifestations of this problem.
How to raise potassium in older people?
A diet with foods rich in potassium can serve as prevention, but once a potassium deficiency is experienced, a supplement may be necessary.
What level of potassium is dangerous?
The appropriate thing is to present a blood potassium level of 3.6 to 5.2 millimoles per liter (mmol/L).
What causes a lack of potassium and magnesium?
Sometimes it is due to an episode of vomiting, diarrhea or excessive use of laxatives that make us lose large amounts of this mineral.
What is the function of potassium in the human body?
Its presence is important in our body, as it influences the transmission of the nerve impulse and the activity of the organs, as well as the muscles of the body, especially those of the heart.
How to get potassium naturally?
Food is our usual source of potassium.
What foods are good for raising potassium?
Chickpeas, bananas, beans, lupins, pistachios, Iberian ham, lentils, mushrooms, spinach, dark chocolate, whole wheat, avocados or anchovies, among others, should not be missing from our diet. Many.
What happens if a person has high potassium?
But just as a low level leads to problems, a blood potassium level above 6.0 mmol/L can also be dangerous, since we are at risk of cardiac arrhythmias. Therefore, it requires immediate treatment.
Normally it will be necessary to reduce foods rich in potassium from the diet, but if the case is serious, the use of medications and even hospitalization of the patient may also be necessary.