hypokalaemia


hy·po·ka·le·mi·a

(hī'pō-kă-lē'mē-ă) The presence of an abnormally small concentration of potassium ions in the circulating blood; occurs in familial periodic paralysis and in potassium depletion due to excessive loss from the gastrointestinal tract or kidneys. The changes of hypokalemia may include vacuolation of renal tubular epithelial cytoplasm with impairment of urinary concentrating power and acidification, flattening of the T wave of the electrocardiogram, and muscle weakness.
Synonym(s): hypopotassemia, hypokalaemia. [hypo- + G. kalion, L. kalium, potassium, + G. haima, blood]

hypokalaemia

Abnormally low levels of potassium in the blood. This is usually due to excessive loss in the urine or from the bowel. Hypokalaemia causes muscle weakness, paralysis, heart irregularities, mental confusion and disorientation, and cardiac arrest.

hy·po·ka·le·mi·a

(hī'pō-kă-lē'mē-ă) Presence of an abnormally low concentration of potassium ions in the circulating blood.
Synonym(s): hypokalaemia. [hypo- + G. kalion, L. kalium, potassium, + G. haima, blood]