Does Low Potassium Cause Extreme Weakness In The Legs?

A shortage of potassium in body fluids may cause a potentially fatal condition known as hypokalemia typically resulting from diarrhoea, increased diuresis and vomiting.
Deficiency symptoms include weakness, paralytic ilieus, ECG abnormalities, decreased reflex response and (in severe cases) resperatory paralisis, alkalosis, and arrhythmia.
Eating a variety of foods that contain potassium is the best way to get an adequate amount. Healthy individuals who eat a balanced diet rarely need supplements. Foods with high sources of potassium include broccoli, orange juice, potatoes, bananas, soya beans, avocados, apricots, pomegranates, parsnips and turnips, although many other fruits and vegetables, and meats contain potassium. Research has indicated that diets high in potassium can reduce the risk of hypertension.
Potassium is important in allowing muscle contraction, therefore, when there is a loss, the muscle isn't allowed to contract properly, and if you can't use that, then you will loose muscle.
If potassium is given in the proper doses over a period of time, the contraction of the muscle may return. But I think it's important to get the diarrhoea to quit also if he is suffering from it. I hope this helps.

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