The condition is considered medical emergency if ECG abnormalities
are present.
Beside the above therapeutic approaches, we must not forget
treating the etiologic cause, restrict K+ containing food and drugs.
Hypokalaemia
It is a condition of plasma potassium which is less than 3.5
mmol/litre.Causes:
Causes of hypokalaemia are numerous. The more common are due
to renal or gastrointestinal loss. Less commonly it is due to deficient intake
or redistribution between intra and extracellular compartments. The list of
causes includes the following:A- Renal K+ loss
1- Causes associated with alkalosis- Diuretic therapy (the commonest)
- Primary mineralocorticoid excess (Conn's Syndrome)
- Secondary aldosteronism (e.g. renal artery stenosis)
- Glucocorticoid excess (Cushing's syndrome)
- Bartter's syndrome
2- Causes associated with acidosis - Diabetic ketoacidosis during recovery phase.
- RTA
- Ureterosigmoidostomy
- Acetazolamide therapy
3- Causes associated with polyuria