Potassium, the element, is an essential constituent of our body and is important for the proper functioning of the nervous system. Potassium also helps in the movement of skeletal and muscular muscles and also regulates heart functions.
Potassium deficiency in medical terms is also known as hypokalemia. Potassium deficiency refers to low levels of potassium in the blood, which is a root cause of various complications.
Potassium deficiency signs in the elderly are fatigue, muscle weakness or muscle cramps, skin rashes, nervous disorders, insomnia, slow and erratic heartbeat, depression, erratic mood changes, cardiac arrhythmia in sudden cases of low deficiency of potassium, higher blood sugar, bone fragility, etc.
Mostly, potassium deficiency in elderly is caused by the use of diuretics like furosemide and thiazide. Other causes of potassium deficiency in elderly include diarrhea and excessive vomiting that are caused due to the gastrointestinal tract infections.
In the initial stages, when a person starts experiencing potassium deficiency symptoms he/she should immediately seek medical advice. In urgent cases of potassium deficiency, the heart beat of the patient must be monitored constantly under the supervision of a medical expert. If the doctor finds that potassium levels in the blood is less than a certain normal, then the doctor may prescribe intravenous potassium supplements. These supplements are in the form of pills, that contain potassium chloride and potassium bircarbonate. Potassium deficiency treatment for the patients who are able to get medication in the early stages of the disorder consist of following a healthy lifestyle coupled with a diet rich in potassium.
Mostly, all foods contain good amount of potassium and some like bananas, tomatoes, potatoes, milk and fig etc, contain high amounts of potassium in them. For the elderly that take diuretics, a high potassium diet is very essential.