Muscle Weakness and Cramps
Abrupt, uncontrolled muscle contractions characterize this low potassium symptom. Muscle cramps and weakness are painful and they happen when the blood lacks potassium.
Potassium aids in the transmission of brain messages to your skeletal muscle to trigger contractions. These contractions end when these brain messages leave the muscle cells.
Low potassium levels in the blood reduce the brain’s efficiency in delivering these signals. As a result, the contractions continue for longer, leading to muscle cramps.
Cramps may arise if your potassium levels are severely low, which is less than 2.5 mmol/L. Cramps are unlikely to happen if your potassium levels are light or moderate. Rhabdomyolysis is a rare side effect of severe hypokalemia. It is a serious medical illness where muscle tissue breaks down and harmful proteins are released into the blood, perhaps causing organ damage.
Although it can occasionally happen with acute onset of moderate or mild hypokalemia, considerable muscle weakness usually happens with severe hypokalemia. If you suspect your muscle weakness and cramps are low potassium symptoms, consult your doctor as soon as possible.
