Potassium is a mineral found in most human cells. It is an electrolyte that helps support nerve function, muscle movement, heart rhythm regulation and more. Potassium chloride is a supplement that can treat low potassium levels.
Low potassium can cause hypokalemia, which can be serious. Dietary sources of potassium include green leafy vegetables and other raw foods.
This article will review potassium chloride, its uses, side effects, benefits, and more.
Potassium chloride is a form of salt metal compounds contains potassium and chloride. It is white, colorless, cube-shaped crystals and has a strong, salty taste.
A person can buy potassium chloride online or at health stores. It is available as a powder or an extended-release tablet.
People can use potassium chloride to treat low potassium levels or hypokalemia.
Hypokalemia can lead to an irregular heartbeat, which in severe cases can lead to death.
It can be the result of:
The kidneys play an important role in retaining or excreting potassium from the body. The body can lose excessive amounts of potassium through vomiting and diarrhea.
In these cases, a person can use potassium chloride as a supplement to increase their potassium intake.
Other uses of potassium chloride consists of:
- eye drops and contact lens care
- a low-sodium food substitute
- Drugs taken by mouth, by injection, or by intravenous injection
The human body needs potassium to function properly. Potassium
A diet rich in potassium may help reduce some of the harmful effects of salt on blood pressure.
Benefits of taking potassium chloride
Potassium
Foods that are particularly rich in potassium include:
- sugar beet
- cooked fufu
- lima bean
- swiss chard
- vegetables, including sweet potatoes and turnips
Potassium chloride is
When taking any medication or supplement, a person should always follow the instructions on the manufacturer’s label or a doctor’s prescription.
In more severe cases, health care professionals may administer potassium chloride intravenously through a tube into a vein.
A person should consult a doctor before giving infants and children under 16 years of age potassium chloride.
A person should always consult a doctor before using any supplement.
The
These numbers do not apply to people who excrete more or less potassium in the urine, such as due to kidney problems or medication.
A person should not take potassium chloride if they take medications that increase excess potassium.
People with chronic kidney disease should also avoid taking potassium chloride, as their kidneys may not be able to remove excess potassium from the blood.
One person is
A person is most at risk of developing hypokalemia if they have inflammatory bowel disease, including Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis.
People taking potassium-sparing diuretics, thiazide diuretics, and ACE inhibitors may also be at risk of eating too little potassium.
People taking potassium chloride may be at risk of consuming too much potassium, leading to hyperkalemia.
Some people with hyperkalemia may
If someone suspects they have taken too much potassium chloride, they should seek medical attention.
Most of the side effects
Taking the drug by mouth can cause vomiting and diarrhea. If a person gets an injection, they may experience a number of complications at the injection site, including:
Follow
Potassium chloride may not be safe for people who take:
- ACE inhibitors and angiotensin-receptor blockers: These include Lotensin or benazepril and Cozaar or losartan.
- Potassium-sparing diureticsMedications include Midamore or amiloride and Aldactone or spironolactone. A person taking these drugs should have their potassium level monitored through blood tests.
- Loop diuretics and thiazidesDrugs include Lasix or furosemide and Bumex or bumetanide. Thiazide diuretics include Diuril or chlorothiazide and Zaroxolyn or metalazone. These drugs increase the body’s excretion of potassium, which can lead to hypokalemia.
This section answers some frequently asked questions about low potassium and potassium chloride.
What are the signs of low potassium?
Many people with hypokalemia don’t have any symptoms, making it difficult for doctors to diagnose.
If a person has symptoms, they may
How does potassium chloride affect the heart?
If a person takes too much potassium chloride, they can develop heart palpitations or arrhythmias, which can be life-threatening.
However, low potassium levels can also affect the heart, increasing the stiffness of the arteries and reducing muscle movement.
One Research 2018 found that those who have heart failure are more likely to take diuretics and have low potassium. Diuretics may increase urinary potassium loss.
Arrhythmias or irregular heartbeats are more likely to develop in people with low potassium levels. Low potassium levels can lead to increased calcium in the body, which can cause cardiac arrhythmias.
If a person has low potassium levels, they should consult a doctor. They will recommend an appropriate amount of potassium chloride to avoid hyperkalemia and strain on the heart.
What happens if you take too much potassium chloride?
Taking too much potassium chloride can lead to hyperkalemia. This is when potassium levels in the blood are higher than normal. It is the opposite of hypokalemia.
Hyperkalemia can develop rapidly. Symptom consists of:
A doctor can see how much potassium is in a person’s body by analyzing a blood sample.
Potassium level is follow and measured in millimoles per liter (mmol/l):
People with potassium levels at the extreme end of the scale may need urgent medical treatment, as this can be life-threatening.
Potassium is a mineral needed by the body to maintain health and function properly.
Natural sources of potassium include green leafy vegetables, fruits, dairy products, beans and nuts.
A person can also take potassium chloride as a supplement to increase their potassium levels. A person should take the supplement along with a healthy, balanced diet. Always talk to your doctor before taking any supplements, including potassium chloride.
Certain medications, such as diuretics, can lead to low potassium levels, known as hypokalemia. In this case, a person will need to take potassium chloride to compensate.
Taking too much potassium chloride can lead to hyperkalemia, which may also require treatment.
Hypokalemia and hyperkalemia can cause serious health conditions, such as heart and kidney failure.
Anyone experiencing symptoms of either of these conditions should consult a medical professional.
Careful monitoring and balancing of potassium levels will help stabilize the condition.