Potassium and its vital role in the human body

April 7, 2024 nadsshelal

Overview

Potassium is one of the many significant electrolytes in the body as it plays a major role in homeostasis and regulating blood pressure. It is critical to maintain potassium levels according to the normal values for the body to function properly as a slight imbalance in the level of this electrolyte could lead to various complications, worst leading to death.

Functions of Potassium

Potassium has various functions; major ones are the following:

Maintaining blood pressure/ volume regulation
Neuromuscular excitability
Balance of Sodium and Potassium in the extracellular and intracellular fluid
Acid-base balance
Contraction of the heart

Why potassium levels in the body is critical

A common electrolyte disturbance is known as Hypokalemia and is defined as a decrease in potassium, ranging from mild to severe. Many factors could lead to this and is categorized into:

Decreased by intake
Increased cellular uptake
Increased loss (Renal loss and Gastrointestinal loss)

Some symptoms of Hypokalemia are weakness, fatigue, vomiting, muscle paralysis, arrythmias, constipation, and nausea.

A less common disturbance is called Hyperkalemia, wherein increased level is observed. Compared to hypokalemia, this is a much more serious complication that may be life-threatening. Causes are categorized into:

Increased intake
Cellular shift
Impaired or decreased excretion
Artifactual – pseudohyperkalemia

From the list above, pseudohyperkalemia is the most common cause in nonhospitalized patients and this is due to hemolyzed samples, prolonged tourniquet use, excessive fist clenching during venipuncture, and blood transfusions.

Symptoms of hyperkalemia are muscle weakness, mental confusion, arrhythmias or cardiac arrest, and numbness.

Summary

Potassium, a mineral vital for our body, acts like an electrical conductor in cells. It helps regulate blood pressure, transmit nerve signals, and enable muscle contractions, all essential for our health. Increased or decreased levels can lead to serious health conditions.

SOURCES:

Simon LV, Hashmi MF, Farrell MW. Hyperkalemia. [Updated 2023 Sep 4]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2024 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK470284/

Castro D, Sharma S. Hypokalemia. [Updated 2023 Mar 18]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2024 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK482465/

https://www.cdc.gov/salt/potassium.htm

Shrimanker I, Bhattarai S. Electrolytes. [Updated 2023 Jul 24]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2024 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK541123/

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