Health Dictionary
Reliable, easy-to-read patient information on common medical conditions — written in plain language, free of jargon, and grounded in current evidence. Browse the most frequent diagnoses, understand what they mean for everyday life, and learn which steps and questions help you have a focused conversation with your doctor.
Hypokalemia historical perspective
Introduction
Overview
Overview
The prefix hypo- means low (contrast with hyper-, meaning high). The middle kal refers to kalium, which is Neo-Latin for potassium. The end portion of the word, -emia, means “in the blood” (note, however, that hypokalemia is usually indicative of a systemic potassium deficit).
Historical Perspective
Historical Perspective
- Potassium was discovered in 1807 by Sir Humphry Davy in 1807 in England[1].
- He discovered potassium by means of electrolysis from potash.
- It was the first alkali metal to be discovered.
- The prefix hypo- means low (contrast with hyper-, meaning high). The middle kal refers to kalium, which is Neo-Latin for potassium. The end portion of the word, -emia, means “in the blood” (note, however, that hypokalemia is usually indicative of a systemic potassium deficit).
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]