{"id":14590,"date":"2020-04-02T05:47:13","date_gmt":"2020-04-02T05:47:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/simplyhealth.today\/?p=14590"},"modified":"2021-05-07T15:45:25","modified_gmt":"2021-05-07T15:45:25","slug":"14-known-symptoms-of-potassium-deficiency","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/simplyhealth.today\/14-known-symptoms-of-potassium-deficiency\/","title":{"rendered":"14 Known Symptoms of Potassium Deficiency"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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The body needs specific nutrients and vitamins in order to function properly. Potassium is one of these vitamins. Most people who eat a healthy diet with plenty of fruits and vegetables are able to keep their potassium at a safe level. People who have certain health problems, take some medications or do not eat as well as they should are at risk for a potassium deficiency. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Doctors can determine if a patient is suffering from a vitamin deficiency with a blood test. Patients who have a severe deficiency may require immediate treatment and can be hooked up to an IV to receive a potassium drip. Those who have low potassium levels but are not considered to have a severe deficiency may be able to bring their levels up to a safe level by taking potassium supplements or adding potassium-rich food to their diets. Doctors may also look at the underlying cause before choosing the right treatment. 
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1. Cramping
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If you suffer from cramping <\/a>in your arms or legs, it could be a sign that are you low on potassium. There are many things that can cause cramping including a lack of exercise, dehydration, and injuries. Potassium plays a role in the way the body uses sodium and regulates blood levels. When the body has a potassium deficiency, the muscles can spasm more often and more easily. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

This can lead to cramping. The cramps are usually felt in the arms and legs, but they may also be felt in the stomach and abdomen, or in other parts of the body. Any muscle in the body is prone to cramping, but some cramps can be more painful than others. Drinking plenty of water can help reduce cramps and make them less severe, but if the patient is suffering from a potassium deficiency, the cramps can continue until the deficiency is corrected.
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2. Acne
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Acne <\/a>is a skin condition that can affect people of all ages. Many teenagers experience acne breakouts as their bodies go through puberty and their hormones start to change. Acne isn\u2019t just for teenagers and it can be a sign of a potassium deficiency. Potassium prevents certain hormones from getting out of control and when there is no potassium to control these hormones, they can lead to acne breakouts. Acne can occur on the face, or other parts of the body. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Many people have acne on their arms, back, neck, head or even buttocks. There are dermatological treatments that can help control acne breakouts. These treatments are only effective if the underlying cause of the acne, the potassium deficiency, has been corrected. Acne on its own is not considered a symptom of low potassium, but people who suffer from acne may have their potassium levels tested to determine if they are low and could be the cause of the acne.
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3. Numbness
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Many people who suffer from a potassium deficiency experience numbness <\/a>in their legs and even arms. This can be caused by circulation problems resulting from the lack of potassium in the body. A potassium deficiency can also affect the nerves in the body and cause numbness and tingling. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Most people notice the numbness in their toes and fingers, as these are the parts of the body that are the furthest away from the heart and more likely to feel the effects of poor circulation and thinner blood vessels the soonest. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If the potassium levels are not brought back up to the right levels, the numbness and tingling can spread to other areas of the body. Since numbness is a common symptom of many mild problems, most people don\u2019t think of it as a symptom of a vitamin deficiency and only seek medical attention when the numbness becomes too severe or bothersome.
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4. Constipation
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Constipation <\/a>can be a symptom of many disorders and diseases. Your digestive tract is sensitive and if something is wrong, it could stop working properly. If you are drinking plenty of water and eating a diet that is high in fiber, you may be able to fight off constipation. If you have a vitamin deficiency such as potassium deficiency, you can also experience constipation. When the body isn\u2019t getting enough potassium, it may be unable to digest certain foods properly or quickly. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Potassium helps limit sodium\u2019s ability to make the stool more compact and more difficult to pass through the bowels. Constipation can lead to abdominal and stomach pain. It can also lead to painful bowel movements that result in straining and even hemorrhoids and rectal fissures. Adding potassium back to the diet can help prevent constipation and get the digestive tract working properly again. 
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5. Excess Thirst
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When you have any type of vitamin <\/a>deficiency, you may find that you are extremely thirsty all the time. Thirst is a sign that your body is craving something or in need of something. It may not always be clear if you are suffering from a potassium deficiency or another vitamin deficiency, and many people find themselves taking a daily multivitamin to cover all of their possible deficiencies. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you are always thirsty and can\u2019t seem to find any relief regardless of the amount of water you drink, you may need to see a doctor find out if you have a potassium deficiency. Doctors can perform a blood test to determine if your body is lacking anything specific including potassium. If you are severely deficient, doctors may even admit you and hook you up to a potassium drip that will help bring up your potassium levels so you can function and feel better.
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6. Nausea 
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The body has different ways of responding to different issues. When something is wrong, the body will react, and that reaction may differ from person to person. Nausea <\/a>is a common reaction to many disorders. It can be a sign of something as simple as an upset stomach or something more serious such as a severe vitamin deficiency. Nausea can be mild and can get better after you eat or when you eat certain foods. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

It may occur with a mild deficiency or be a sign that your body is severely deficient. Because nausea is such a commons symptom of so many mild conditions, it is very rarely looked at as a concern. Most people do not seek medication attention for nausea unless it starts to interfere with their life. It may make it hard to eat, prevent them from keeping food down, lead to severe vomiting, or become so chronic that is can no longer be ignored. 
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7. Depression
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Potassium helps regulate brain function and moods. When a person has a potassium deficiency for a long time, they may suffer from mood disorders such as depression and anxiety. Depression <\/a>can be caused by other things and may need to be medically treated on its own. If potassium deficiency is the cause of depression or anxiety, it may improve once the patient brings up their potassium levels. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Even when potassium is expected to be the cause of depression, the patient should still seek medical attention to get a proper diagnosis and to determine if depression could be caused by something different and requires medications or other treatments. People who already suffer from depression and anxiety may have more severe symptoms when they are low on potassium. Potassium deficiency can also interfere with their medications and make them less effective. Potassium supplements can help patients maintain proper potassium levels. 
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8. Edema
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Potassium helps your body process sodium and use it properly. If your potassium levels are low, your body could become swollen. This is called edema<\/a>. Edema can be present in many different areas of the body. It is most common in the ankles and legs, but if it becomes severe it can affect the entire body. It can be dangerous if the edema occurs around the lungs or heart because it can make these organs strain to work properly. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Edema can be a sign of a serious condition and can require immediate treatment. It should never be ignored and should be properly diagnosed by a doctor. If a potassium deficiency is the cause of the edema, you may need to be connected to a potassium drip so you can get a good dose of the vitamin into your body to help the swelling go down before it can cause more severe problems. 
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9. Insomnia
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Many people struggle with insomnia<\/a>, which means they are not able to sleep well or at all. Some people experience occasional insomnia and others suffer from it on a regular basis. There are many things that can cause insomnia and most people will experience at some point in their life. Insomnia can be dangerous because it can cause people to hallucinate, become exhausted, interfere with their ability to drive and perform other duties. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Many people think insomnia is nothing to worry about and simply sleep when they reach the point of exhaustion. Insomnia can be caused by something simple but can also be caused by potassium deficiency. Potassium helps the body regulate moods and other cycles. If levels drop, it can interfere with a person\u2019s circadian rhythm and prevent them from sleeping at night when they should. Doctors can determine if the insomnia is called by a potassium deficiency with a simple blood test.
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10. Fatigue
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Anytime your body doesn\u2019t have enough of a vitamin or nutrient, it can suffer from fatigue<\/a>. This is because the body needs certain nutrients to help it function properly. If there is not enough of these nutrients in the body, the organs have to work harder to spread what is available around the body. This can put a strain on these organs and cause fatigue. Most people have a demanding lifestyle and think that fatigue is just a normal problem that they have to live with. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Only when it becomes severe do people relate it to a medical problem. There are many different conditions that can cause fatigue as well as different types of vitamin deficiencies. When a person has a deficiency for one type of vitamin or nutrient, there is a good chance they are deficient for others too. Doctors can determine which vitamin and nutrient levels are low and prescribe supplements to help bring them back to normal. 
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11. Bloating
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Low potassium levels can cause the muscles in the stomach to become weak which can lead to bloating<\/a>. Potassium can affect the muscles of the stomach and digestive tract. When levels are low it can cause the stomach to fail to digest food as quickly or as well as they should. It can also lead to problems in the intestines. Constipation is a common symptom of low potassium and can also lead to bloating. When the bowels are not moving properly, the stomach can\u2019t empty as it should. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bloating can also lead to nausea, vomiting, cramping, and general digestive discomfort. Gas is common with stomach bloating and it may smell extremely bad due to the low potassium levels. Once the levels are restored, the bloating should subside. Bloating alone is not a symptom of potassium deficiency, but when it occurs with other known symptoms, it can help doctors lead to a proper diagnosis. 
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12. Nervousness
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If you have anxiety <\/a>or another mood disorder, you may feel extremely nervous when you are sick or if you have a potassium deficiency. Most people feel this nervous feeling but aren\u2019t sure what they are nervous about. This is your body\u2019s way of telling you something is wrong. Not everyone will have this symptom and most people will relate it to other things. Potassium helps regulate the mood and can have a direct effect on the nerves. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

While nervousness alone is not enough to warrant a diagnosis for a potassium deficiency, it can be a reason to undergo testing that can diagnose the disorder. Nervousness can also be a symptom of many other diseases and disorders. It\u2019s normal to feel nervous at times, but if it becomes a chronic problem, it could mean you are suffering from a potassium deficiency or another more severe problem. A proper diagnosis can result in an appropriate treatment. 
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13. Blood Pressure
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Potassium has a major effect on blood pressure<\/a> and can cause it to become high or become very low. Potassium helps the body send nerve impulses to the heart to help it to beat at regular intervals. When potassium levels are low, the heart doesn\u2019t work as it should. This can cause it to beat faster or slower and send more or less blood throughout the body. This affects the blood pressure. Sodium can cause high blood pressure and the body relies on potassium to keep sodium levels in check. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

When there is a deficiency of potassium, the body can\u2019t regular sodium as it should, and it can cause blood pressure to increase. When the body has to work harder to pump blood throughout the body, the blood pressure can increase. This can be a dangerous condition and should be treated immediately. Blood pressure can be treated on its own but if a potassium deficiency is the underlying cause, it will need to be corrected before the blood pressure problem can be treated. 
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14. Heart Palpitations 
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When your body doesn\u2019t have enough potassium, your heart can respond by beating off pattern. It will start to slow down on its own and then speed up to accommodate for its slowness. This can lead to the heart beating extremely fast. Since potassium also has an effect on the blood vessels in the body, it can lead more blood to flow through the body and into the heart, but with smaller blood vessels. Sodium levels are also higher and can enter the blood vessels<\/a>, causing them to constrict. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The heart must work faster to supply the body and other organs with nutrients and can become strained in the process. If not treated, it can lead to serious heart problems. Once potassium levels improve, the heart can return to its normal rate and the patient should be fine. Some people may still need to see a doctor and may need to have their heart shocked to return to a normal rate.
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