Prognosis
Most cases of potassium deficiency are mild in nature. There is hardly any danger for healthy people.Only in the case of pre-existing heart diseases and severe potassium deficiency is there a danger to life, especially due to cardiac arrhythmia.
Potassium deficiency after surgery
After surgical interventions, it can happen that an incorrectly high potassium level is measured in the blood. This is due to the fact that in the course of injuries or operations a massive decay of erythrocytes, i.e. the red blood cells, occurs. These contain a potassium concentration up to 25 times higher than in serum.
However, a potassium deficiency can also develop after operations if, for example, malnutrition occurs during the course of the operation due to a change in the intake of individual food components. Changes in the patient’s needs, reduced fluid intake, diarrhoea, vomiting or other accompanying secondary diseases or the intake of certain medications can play a role here. These include, among others, diuretics (i.e. urine-enhancing drugs), insulin for diabetics or laxatives, which are often given as part of aftercare after surgery.
All of them cause an increased loss of potassium. Furthermore, glucocorticoids are released during the physiological reaction of the body to stress. These are hormones that are produced in the adrenal cortex and are intended to provide the body with increased energy in a stressful situation, for example after an operation. They also raise the blood sugar level and inhibit inflammatory reactions. But they also act on the kidney and cause increased potassium excretion with the urine at this point.
Potassium deficiency during pregnancy
During pregnancy, a healthy and balanced diet is essential for both mother and child. The bigger the baby becomes, the greater the need for vitamins, minerals and fluids. The vital potassium can also become scarce during pregnancy.
It is therefore important that pregnant women eat a lot of potassium-containing foods to counteract a possible potassium deficiency. These include, for example: It should also be noted that the potassium level is closely related to the sodium level. If one eats a lot of food rich in salt, the body excretes more potassium.
One way to save potassium is therefore to reduce the intake of common salt. A slight potassium deficiency can usually be remedied by adjusting the diet. However, if the potassium deficiency is more pronounced, the potassium should be substituted in the form of tablets or other artificially produced preparations if necessary. However, this should only be done in consultation with a physician, as independent intake can quickly lead to an excess of potassium, which can be accompanied by paralysis and life-threatening heart rhythm disturbances.
- Bananas
- Dried fruit
- Avocados
- Potatoes and
- Nuts
