What can cause a potassium deficiency and how can it affect a leg?
Potassium deficiency, also known as hypokalemia, can be caused by an array of things, including: certain medications, diarrhea, some diseases, eating disorders, excessive sweating, excessive vomiting, and a few other, less common factors (certain varieties of licorice, for example). Diet is not normally the main cause. Hypokalemia can cause numerous problems, many of which affect muscles, such as muscle weakness or fatigue and even muscle breakdown. The legs have a lot of muscles in them, and can impacted in this way. Medication (often in the form of a potassium supplement) can generally cure this condition, which can become life-threatening if left untreated. Sources: http://www.nlm.nih.gov/MEDLINEPLUS/ency/article/000479.
