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

9) Muscle Paralysis

In hypokalemia, there’s a condition known as hypokalemic periodic paralysis. It is not the most common manifestation of low potassium levels and only happens in patients with extreme muscle weakness.

The problem usually starts when the patient is very young and features severe weakness or paralysis in the arms or legs. The episodes last for hours but sometimes can be extended to a couple of days. After recovering for a few weeks, there’s another episode, which is why it is known as periodic paralysis.

Outside of this entity, patients may also develop paralysis in a single episode when they reach severe hypokalemia levels. These patients often experience the most severe symptoms listed in this article, especially breathing difficulty and cardiovascular alterations.