User:MarcoGirl/Hypokalemia

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This is information from the article on WIKI, I added a citation at the end where one was needed -

Not eating a diet with enough potassium-containing foods or fasting can cause the gradual onset of hypokalemia. This is a rare cause and may occur in those with anorexia nervosa or those on a ketogenic diet. [citation needed ]

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Hypokalemia refers to lower than baseline levels of potassium (K+) in the blood serum.[1] Moderately low potassium levels do not typically cause symptoms.[3] Symptoms may include feeling tired, leg cramps, weakness, and constipation.[1] Low potassium also increases the risk of an abnormal heart rhythm, which is often too slow and can cause cardiac arrest.[1][3]

Causes of hypokalemia include vomiting, diarrhea, dialysis, diabetes insipidus, hyperaldosteronism, hypomagnesemia, medications, and an unbalanced diet.[1] Normal human potassium levels are between 3.5 and 5.0 mmol/L (3.5 and 5.0 mEq/L) with levels below 3.5 mmol/L defined as hypokalemia.[1][2] Severe hypokalemia is classified when levels are less than 2.5 mmol/L.[1] Low levels may also be suspected based on an electrocardiogram (ECG).[1] Hyperkalemia is a high level of potassium in the blood serum.[1]

The speed at which potassium should be replaced depends on symptoms or abnormalities detected from an electrocardiogram.[1] Potassium levels that are only slightly below the normal range can be managed with diet changes.[3] Lower levels of potassium require replacement with oral supplements or intravenously.[3] If given intravenously, potassium is generally replaced at rates of less than 20 mmol/hour.[1] Solutions containing high concentrations of potassium (>40 mmol/L) should generally be given using a central venous catheter.[3] Magnesium replacement may also be required.[1] The speed at which potassium should be replaced depends on symptoms or abnormalities detected from an electrocardiogram. Hypokalemia is one of the most common water–electrolyte imbalances. It affects about 20% of people admitted to hospitals.

Bibliography

I took a look at some of the sources on this article already and I was not impressed. A lot of the sources that have been used to find current information are from untrusted sources. Here are some others that I found that will help me update and add new information.

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK482465/

This is one source that I found that I think will help me write my Wiki page. There is a lot of information on here, but I think that this source will be especially useful to find information for the "Inadequate potassium intake" section. I looked into the author’s backgrounds and I do not see any specific red flags that indicate they have any ulterior motives to do this research other than for educational purposes.

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK1338/

This is information on how hypokalemia can cause paralysis.

https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamainternalmedicine/fullarticle/485434

This gives insight on new clinical practices being used for potassium replacement.

https://www.aafp.org/pubs/afp/issues/2015/0915/p487.html

This one just gives general information on what hypokalemia is. There is also information about HYPERkalemia which can be used to contrast the two conditions.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8348865/

This article has information on how anorexia can affect potassium levels and can be used in the causes section.

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK568741/

I believe that this may be an article that people in nursing school use for information. This has clear information on what labs or parameters should be.