Hypokalemia history and symptoms: Difference between revisions
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Jack Khouri (talk | contribs) Created page with "{{Hypokalemia}} {{CMG}}'''; Associate Editor-In-Chief:''' {{CZ}}; '''Assistant Editor(s)-In-Chief:''' Jack Khouri ==Diagnosis== === Symptoms === The seve..." |
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{{Hypokalemia}} | {{Hypokalemia}} | ||
{{CMG}}'''; Associate Editor-In-Chief:''' {{CZ}}; '''Assistant Editor(s)-In-Chief:''' [[User:Jack Khouri|Jack Khouri]] | {{CMG}}'''; Associate Editor-In-Chief:''' {{CZ}}; '''Assistant Editor(s)-In-Chief:''' [[User:Jack Khouri|Jack Khouri]] | ||
==Diagnosis== | ==Diagnosis== | ||
=== History === | === History === | ||
A detailed history can help depict the cause of hypokalemia. | A detailed history can help depict the cause of hypokalemia. | ||
| Line 57: | Line 35: | ||
*Cancer | *Cancer | ||
*Renal tubular acidosis type I and type II | *Renal tubular acidosis type I and type II | ||
=== Symptoms === | |||
The severity of symptoms depends on the degree of hypokalemia, but keep in mind that there is marked individual variability. | |||
==== Constitutional ==== | |||
* [[Ddx:Fatigue|Fatigue]] | |||
* Weakness | |||
* [[Ddx:Nausea and Vomiting|Vomiting]] | |||
* [[Ddx:Constipation|Constipation]] | |||
* Muscle cramps and paralysis (the lower extremity muscles are most commonly involved) which may involve the intestine and cause ileus | |||
* Respiratory muscle weakness leading to [[respiratory failure]]. | |||
==== Cardiac ==== | |||
* [[Hypertension]] | |||
* [[Arrhythmias]] including premature atrial and ventricular complexes, paroxysmal atrial or junctional [[tachycardia]] and even [[ventricular tachycardia]] or [[fibrillation]] | |||
* [[Heart block]] | |||
* Digoxin therapy, CAD and left ventricular hypertrophy potentiate hypokalemia effects on the heart | |||
==== Renal ==== | |||
*[[Nephrogenic diabetes insipidus]] due to decreased concentrating ability. As a consequence, the patient presents with [[polyuria]] and polydipsia | |||
*Increased bicarbonate reabsorption | |||
*Increased ammonia formation which may precipitate [[hepatic encephalopathy]] in cirrhotic patients | |||
*Decreased sodium reabsorption resulting in [[hyponatremia]] | |||
==== Other ==== | |||
* [[Rhabdomyolysis]] | |||
* [[Ddx:Hyperglycemia|Hyperglycemia]] | |||
==References== | ==References== | ||
Revision as of 12:46, 25 August 2012
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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor-In-Chief: Cafer Zorkun, M.D., Ph.D. [2]; Assistant Editor(s)-In-Chief: Jack Khouri
Diagnosis
History
A detailed history can help depict the cause of hypokalemia.
Dietary history
Malnutrition: lack of meat and fruit intake
Medication history
- Diuretics (loop and thiazides)
- Beta agonists
- Chloroquine
- Theophylline
- Insulin
- Corticosteroids
- Licorice
- Nephrotoxic drugs (platinum-based chemotherapy, aminoglycosides)
- Laxatives
Past medical history
- Uncontrolled diabetes
- Hyperthyroidism
- Pernicious anemia
- COPD (treated with Beta agonists and theophylline)
- Cushing’s disease
- Periodic paralysis
- Ileostomy/short bowel
- Primary hyperaldosteronism
- Liddle syndrome
- Bartter and Gitelman syndrome
- Prolonged starvation
- Cancer
- Renal tubular acidosis type I and type II
Symptoms
The severity of symptoms depends on the degree of hypokalemia, but keep in mind that there is marked individual variability.
Constitutional
- Fatigue
- Weakness
- Vomiting
- Constipation
- Muscle cramps and paralysis (the lower extremity muscles are most commonly involved) which may involve the intestine and cause ileus
- Respiratory muscle weakness leading to respiratory failure.
Cardiac
- Hypertension
- Arrhythmias including premature atrial and ventricular complexes, paroxysmal atrial or junctional tachycardia and even ventricular tachycardia or fibrillation
- Heart block
- Digoxin therapy, CAD and left ventricular hypertrophy potentiate hypokalemia effects on the heart
Renal
- Nephrogenic diabetes insipidus due to decreased concentrating ability. As a consequence, the patient presents with polyuria and polydipsia
- Increased bicarbonate reabsorption
- Increased ammonia formation which may precipitate hepatic encephalopathy in cirrhotic patients
- Decreased sodium reabsorption resulting in hyponatremia