Low Potassium Symptoms (Hypokalemia); What are Potassium Deficiency Symptoms?

6) Constipation

Patients with hypokalemia will also have slow intestinal transit and gastrointestinal problems. They have a hard time with bowel movements, and sometimes this progresses to a medical complication known as ileum. This is a pseudo-obstruction of the intestines, which causes severe inflammatory problems and changes in the fluid balance.

Constipation in hypokalemia results from an acute dysfunction of the smooth muscle in the intestines. This muscle is responsible for bowel movements and intestinal transit. It is also affected by electrolyte imbalance and has a hard time moving. Thus, as a part of the medical care in these patients, bowel movements should be recorded as well as the aspect and volume of the stool.