What Are the Causes of Hypokalemia?
Hypokalemia can be caused by kidney problems, malnutrition or a depletion of your body’s potassium stores. Your body can lose potassium from diarrhea, vomiting, overuse of laxatives or even excessive sweating. Hypokalemia can also develop as a side effect of certain medications, especially certain types of diuretics or “water pills.” Diuretics are used to treat conditions like high blood pressure, heart failure and liver or kidney disease. Other medications, such as insulin or steroids, can also affect potassium levels in your body. Hypokalemia treatment In most cases, hypokalemia can be successfully treated. If it is a mild case, you may just need to eat more foods that contain potassium. In some cases, you may need to add a potassium supplement to your diet. If medications are causing the problem, your doctor may change your medication or its dosage. You may also need to take a potassium supplement. If you have severe hypokalemia, you may need hospital care to receive potassium by IV
