There are three reasons for hypokalemia in summer: first, the rising temperature makes some people lose appetite, anorexia and eat less, resulting in insufficient potassium intake; Second, it takes too long in high temperature environment or high temperature weather.
Difficult to adapt, sweating too much, frequent showers lead to increased potassium loss, or excessive drinking water leads to dilution of potassium concentration in the body; Third, unclean food or a large number of cold drinks lead to gastrointestinal symptoms such as diarrhea and vomiting, leading to the loss of potassium ions through the digestive system. In addition, some patients with kidney disease, diabetes or hypertension who are taking potassium diuretics will also have pathological and drug-induced potassium loss while taking drugs to control their condition.
Hypokalemia can stimulate the neuromuscular system, causing symptoms such as physical fatigue, weakness and unresponsiveness, and even limb convulsions, generalized muscle weakness, lethargy and coma. It can also lead to difficulty in breathing and swallowing, and even lead to suffocation in severe cases. At the same time, some patients will be accompanied by digestive symptoms such as bitter taste, nausea, vomiting, anorexia, abdominal distension and constipation. The most dangerous consequence of hypokalemia is the impact on heart function. Patients will have symptoms such as tachycardia, palpitation, cold sweat, chills in limbs, and even cardiomyopathy, blood pressure drop and even cardiac arrest in severe cases.
Hypokalemia is mostly a complication of other diseases, and rarely occurs alone, so people pay little attention to it in daily life. Therefore, when the weather is hot and sweaty, people should pay attention to the following points to prevent the attack of hypokalemia. First, eat more foods with high potassium content, such as lean meat, green leafy vegetables, bananas and bean products. For women who take diet pills, special attention should be paid to the rationality of diet. Be sure to understand the pharmacological effects of diet pills before taking them, and it is not advisable to take them for a long time. Second, don't stay outdoors for a long time or sweat repeatedly to prevent collapse. Three, kidney disease, hypertension patients should be under the guidance of a doctor, not to change the dosage and collocation. Fourth, when there are occasional symptoms of hypokalemia such as palpitation, chest tightness, limb weakness or convulsions, you should go to the hospital accompanied by your family as soon as possible.