hormonal and metabolic disorders
Hypokalemia (Low Level of Potassium in the Blood)
Treatment of Hypokalemia
Potassium supplements If a disorder is causing hypokalemia, it is treated. Usually, potassium can be replaced by taking potassium supplements by mouth. Because potassium can irritate the digestive tract, supplements should be taken in small doses with food several times a day rather than in a single large dose. Special types of potassium supplements, such as wax-impregnated or microencapsulatedpotassium chloride, are much less likely to irritate the digestive tract. To treat hypokalemia more rapidly, potassium is given by vein (intravenously) in the following situations: The potassium level is dangerously low. The low level causes abnormal heart rhythms. Supplements taken by mouth are ineffective. People continue to lose more potassium than can be replaced using supplements taken by mouth. Most people who take diuretics do not need to take potassium supplements. Nevertheless, doctors periodically check the potassium level in the blood so that supplements can be given if necessary. Alternatively, diuretics that help the kidneys conserve potassium (potassium-sparing diuretics), such asamiloride,eplerenone,spironolactone, ortriamterenecan be used, but these medications are used only if the kidneys are functioning normally. When Hypomagnesemia (Low Level of Magnesium in the Blood) occurs with hypokalemia, it too is treated. 