Does your heart regularly skip a beat? Do your muscles cramp up often? Is your thinking slower than it used to be? If any of these sounds like you, this could be because you have lower-than-normal levels of potassium in your body. The medical name for this condition is hypokalemia.
A full 98% of the potassium in your body is found in your cells-and for good reason! Potassium is an electrolyte-this means it helps carry electrical signals to cells in your body. Your body uses this electricity to keep fluid balance, transmit nerve signals, and contract muscle cells, particularly the heart muscle cells.
Potassium helps your heartbeat stay regular, your kidneys function properly and stop your sodium levels from spiking too high. Potassium deficiency is more common than you think. Studies show that 9 out of 10 Americans—that’s upwards of 290 million people—are only getting about half the 4.7 grams of this essential mineral they need each day.
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The normal range for blood potassium is between 3.5 to 5.5 mmol/L. Below this level, hypokalemia occurs. Very low levels of potassium in the body (less than 2.5 mmol/L) can lead to irregular heart rhythms and trigger cardiac arrest—which can be deadly.
So, what causes a potassium deficiency, and what are the symptoms that warn you of low potassium? How can you restore your potassium? This is exactly what we’ll talk about in the rest of this video.
Top 10 Symptoms of LOW Potassium You May Be Ignoring | Signs, Causes, Treatment
First, let’s look at what causes hypokalemia.
A potassium deficiency is rarely caused by a low intake of fruits and vegetables alone.
The most common cause of low potassium is excessive loss through urine. This happens in people who take prescription medications called diuretics or water pills, which make them urinate more often. These medications are often prescribed for high blood pressure or heart disease.
Another reason is the excessive loss of potassium in your digestive tract. This may be due to frequent vomiting, diarrhea, or laxative use.
