The Effects of Low Potassium
Have you been diagnosed with hypokalemia or low potassium? The effects of low potassium can manifest as high blood pressure in mild cases, but often than not, there are no symptoms. However, muscle cramps, myalgia, or constipation are results of moderate hypokalemia. If it develops into severe hypokalemia, the effects can manifest as hyporeflexia, tetany, paralysis and other serious symptoms.
If you suffer from the effects of low potassium, you need know exactly what is causing the deficiency.
Not consuming enough is the first and most suspect reason. Now that may be unlikely to occur if we have a balanced diet which includes enough vegetables and fruit, because a measure of potassium is found in nearly all foods. But if we have an eating disorder, perhaps brought on by worrying too much about our weight, we could loose our potassium through harmful habits.
Persons who binge and purge present a dangerous problem, because they can bring upon themselves an imbalance of potassium electrolytes. What role do the electrolytes play? Nerves and muscles rely on electrolytes to function properly. Purging causes the potassium to be depleted and the potassium deficiency symptoms show up as muscle weakness, spasms, fatigue, depression and irritability.
If we get sick and suffer vomiting and diarrhea, this can expel the mineral from our bodies too quickly and the effects of low potassium can result in muscle cramps and weakness, and even palpitations. Athletes are prone to this through excess sweating when exercising and should be aware that they need a diet high in potassium.
If you do not have a problem in these areas, check you medication. Are you on diuretics to make you loose excess fluid? Some of the drugs, although not so many now, are potassium wasting. That means they cause potassium to be flushed from your body along with the excess fluid leaving you low on minerals and other nutrients.
Ask your doctor about it and read the fact sheet inside your medication package.
Hypomagnesemia is another cause of hypokalemia. It means you are suffering from magnesium deficiency. Both potassium and magnesium deficiencies have an effect on one another and are closely linked. Both conditions cause high blood pressure. In fact potassium, magnesium and calcium electrolytes all work in conjunction with one another and this joint function will not return to normal if any of these electrolytes are imbalanced. All are involved in regulating blood pressure.
Other causes can be due to rare diseases. 
How to Know if you are Suffering From the Effects of Low Potassium
Because the effects of low potassium can mirror the effects of other mineral deficiencies and health problems, you need to make an appointment with your doctor and ask him to refer you for blood tests that will measure for potassium, magnesium, and calcium.
The information on this website is only a guide and can`t diagnose or replace the medical care you will receive from a qualified medical practitioner.
If your are experiencing any of the above potassium deficiency symptoms frequently, then you need to investigate. Your body is telling you something is wrong.
Take note of your eating habits! Are you skipping balanced meals and replacing them with junk food? What medications are you taking? Check the instruction and contents leaflet that comes with your prescription drug.
Are you consuming too much alcohol or using too much laxatives? They can have an effect on your magnesium levels. So can diabetes and thyroid problems!
How to Make Sure You are Getting Enough Potassium
Eat a balanced diet with plenty fruit and vegetables. I have listed 59 foods with potassium. These are fruits and vegetables that contain high levels of potassium in them.
Another excellent way of keeping the electrolytes in working balance is to supplement with an ionic mineral solution. Athletes would benefit from supplementing because they are loosing minerals quickly through excess sweating and need to replace those minerals.
Witnessing the effects of low potassium helps us understand the importance of minerals.
Are you convinced that one of the effects of low potassium is elevated blood pressure? Then you will be interested in other causes …