Early signs of hypokalemia include generalized weakness, palpitations (rapid heartbeat, often accompanied by panic), constipation, and polyuria.
1. Generalized weakness: Hypokalemia leads to skeletal muscle weakness, pain and convulsions. In mild cases, there may be no symptoms or only tiredness, mental weakness and generalized weakness, while in severe cases, flaccid paralysis may occur.
2. Palpitation: when hypokalemia impairs myocardial function, myocardial autoregulation increases, sinus tachycardia may occur, inducing arrhythmia, which may easily lead to life-threatening situation.
3. Constipation: manifested as weakening of peristalsis of gastrointestinal tract, intestinal paralysis and constipation.
4. Polyuria: Hypokalemia damages the kidney, causing swelling and proliferation of epithelial cells of medullary collecting ducts, resulting in polyuria due to dysfunction of urine concentration.
If the above symptoms occur, it is recommended to go to the hospital in time for early and regular treatment.