Potassium Deficiency

A condition due to decreased dietary intake of potassium, as in starvation or failure to administer in intravenous solutions, or to gastrointestinal loss in diarrhea, chronic laxative abuse, vomiting, gastric suction, or bowel diversion. Severe potassium deficiency may produce muscular weakness and lead to paralysis and respiratory failure. Muscular malfunction may result in hypoventilation, paralytic ileus, hypotension, muscle twitches, tetany, and rhabomyolysis. Nephropathy from potassium deficit impairs the concentrating mechanism, producing POLYURIA and decreased maximal urinary concentrating ability with secondary POLYDIPSIA. (Merck Manual, 16th ed)

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Tree Number(s): C18.654.521.500.617

MeSH Unique ID: D011191

Entry Terms:

• Deficiencies, Potassium
• Deficiency, Potassium
• Potassium Deficiencies

See Also:

• Hypokalemia

All MeSH Categories
Diseases Category
Nutritional and Metabolic Diseases
Nutrition Disorders
Malnutrition
Deficiency Diseases
Potassium Deficiency