
Health Dictionary
Reliable, easy-to-read patient information on common medical conditions β 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 natural history
Introduction
Overview
Overview
If left untreated, hypokalemia may present as nausea, vomiting that progresses to develop ileus, muscle cramps, rhabdomyolysis and polyuria leading to dehydration. Persistent hypokalemia may lead to ventricular ectopy. Complications of hypokalemia include paralysis, arrhythmias, rhabdomyolysis and ileus. Prognosis of hypokalemia depends upon the underlying condition.
Natural History
Natural History
If left untreated, hypokalemia may present as nausea, vomiting that progresses to develop ileus, muscle cramps, rhabdomyolysis and polyuria leading to dehydration. Persistently low serum potassium levels may lead to EKG changes for example, ventricular ectopy (Premature ventricular contractions, ventricular tachycardia, ventricular fibrillation, U waves, prolonged QT interval).
Complications
Complications
Possible complications include [1]:
- Paralysis: In severe cases
- Arrhythmia
- Heart block and cardiac arrest
- RhabdomyolysisΒ
- Hepatic encephalopathyΒ in cirrhotic patients
- Constipation
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1] Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Cafer Zorkun, M.D., Ph.D. [2] Aida Javanbakht, M.D.
