| ID | 170 |
|---|---|
| Name | HYPOKALEMIA (Potassium Depletion) |
| Cause | Causes: 1. Poor intake, starvation, alcoholism etc. 2. Reduced absorption, Malabsorption, small bowel bypass etc. 3. Increased loss: GI. tract vomiting diarrhoea, obstruction, laxatives etc.-Renal- Renal failure, diuresis, cong. tubular defects etc. Skin- Burns, excessive sweating. 4. Hypokalemia with no deficit: Insulin, testosterone therapy, alkalosis etc. |
| Signs Symptoms | |
| Diagnosis | |
| Investigations | |
| Management | |
| Introduction | When serum K+ level is less than 3.5mmol/lt is known as hypokalemia. |
| History | |
| Etiology | |
| Clinical Features | Clinical features: Lethargy, muscular weakness or even paralysis, are flexia, mental confusion, distention of the abdomen, anorexia, constipation, polyuria etc. may develop. The E.C.G shows some characteristic changes consisting of low voltage, S-T depression, T wave inversion, prominent U wave, prolonged Q-T interval and conduction defects. |
| Preventions | |
| Treatment | Treatment: 1. Potassium salts particularly KC1 can be given orally l0gm to 15gm daily (slow release or effervescent tablets are good). 2. Good dietary intake (80mEq/day) e.g fruit or fruit juices particularly orange juice will be beneficial. 3. When i.v route is choiced, l.5gm of KC1 in 10 cc. to be mixed in 500 c.c of infusion fluid and the rate of infusion will be Igm every 4 hours. (It is better to give under ECG monitoring). |
| Complications | |
| Prognosis | |
| Types | |
| Classification | |
| Observation | |
| Pathology |
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