What is critical hypokalemia

summary

The content of potassium in the body is very balanced, if there is a lack of potassium, it will form hypokalemia, there are many causes. Let's take a look at what critical hypokalemia is.

What is critical hypokalemia

First, serum potassium concentration was 3.5-5.5 mmol / L, with an average of 4.2 mmol / L. Hypokalemia usually occurs when serum potassium is less than 3.5mmol/l. However, the decrease of serum potassium does not necessarily indicate the lack of potassium in the body, but only the decrease of the concentration of potassium in the extracellular fluid. Therefore, clinical analysis should be combined with history and clinical manifestations.

Secondly, the severity of clinical manifestations depends on the degree of intracellular and extracellular potassium deficiency and the rate of occurrence of potassium deficiency. The symptoms of acute hypokalemia are more serious than those of chronic hypokalemia with the same level of potassium deficiency. Therefore, when there is a similar situation, we must find out our own condition.

Finally: acute hypokalemia: should take emergency measures for treatment; chronic hypokalemia as long as the blood potassium is not less than 3 mmol / L, you can first check the cause, and then according to the cause of treatment.

matters needing attention

Pay attention to the amount of urine when replenishing potassium. If there is less urine, replenishing potassium must be careful to avoid causing hyperkalemia; avoid eating fried and greasy food. Such as fried dough sticks, cream, butter, chocolate and so on, these foods have the characteristics of helping damp heat, which will aggravate the disease and need special attention.