Hypokalemia--clinical spectrum and etiology

This paper is intended to give a review of the etiology and symptoms of potassium deficiency in man, as an introduction to the section on potassium and cardiac arrhythmias of this symposium. A review is given of different conditions where hypokalemia and/or total potassium deficiency is or might be part of the clinical picture, such as conditions with insufficient dietary intake, gastrointestinal potassium losses (e.g. vomiting, fistulas, malabsorption, abuse of laxatives and diarrhea), and renal potassium losses (e.g. primary and secondary hyperaldosteronism, Cushing's syndrome, intake of licorice, diabetic coma, renal disease, diuretic treatment and l-dopa treatment). Common symptoms of hypokalemia and/or potassium deficiency are reviewed as well, such as general and unspecific symptoms (e.g. tiredness, lack of concentration, lack of appetite and vomiting), and symptoms from the heart, kidneys and skeletal muscle.