Potassium is an essential mineral that plays a crucial role in maintaining overall health and optimizing bodily functions. Despite its importance, potassium deficiency often goes unnoticed, even by healthcare professionals. Let us outline the seven most common signs of low potassium, highlighting the importance of recognizing these subtle symptoms to prevent long-term health issues.
- Physical Weakness: Struggling with tasks like lifting objects or climbing stairs due to rapid onset weakness.
- Mental Fatigue and Irritability: Experiencing mental sluggishness and irritability without a clear cause.
- Muscle Cramps, Twitches, and Spasms: Nighttime leg cramps, muscle twitches under the eye, and unexpected muscle spasms.
- Constipation and Bloating: Difficulty in bowel movements due to impaired smooth muscle function in the intestines.
- Palpitations or Arrhythmias: Irregular heartbeats or noticeable heart palpitations due to affected cardiac muscle.
- Edema or Fluid Retention: Swollen ankles, fingers, or other parts of the body indicating fluid retention.
- Muscle Aches and Stiffness: Unexplained muscle aches and stiffness without preceding physical activity.