Studies have found that anxiety increases adrenal hormones, which can decrease blood potassium [17]. Avoid or manage stress. Good strategies to manage stress are getting adequate rest, engaging in exercise, relaxation, meditation, etc. Discuss supplemental potassium with your doctor.
An imbalance of potassium can cause many different side effects including anxiety and new research suggests a potential for sleep disturbances. If you have low levels of potassium, you may experience an increase in your anxiety symptoms. Anxiety is an abnormal feeling of worry, fear, apprehension or nervousness.
Low blood potassium typically occurs because of an excessive loss of potassium in your digestive tract. This may be due to frequent vomiting, diarrhea or laxative use. Other causes of hypokalemia include: Eating disorders, such as bulimia nervosa.
A low potassium level has many causes but usually results from vomiting, diarrhea, adrenal gland disorders, or use of diuretics. A low potassium level can make muscles feel weak, cramp, twitch, or even become paralyzed, and abnormal heart rhythms may develop.
Water pills (diuretics) help rid your body of extra potassium. They work by making your kidney create more urine. Potassium is normally removed through urine. Potassium binders often come in the form of a powder.
Low potassium (hypokalemia) has many causes. The most common cause is excessive potassium loss in urine due to prescription medications that increase urination. Also known as water pills or diuretics, these types of medications are often prescribed for people who have high blood pressure or heart disease.
If you can't seem to rest enough and your energy levels are low, you may be potassium deficient, Blake said. "Every cell in your body needs the right amount of potassium to function," Blake explained. "If you are increasingly exhausted and know you are getting enough sleep, potassium might be the cause."
It is critical to the proper functioning of nerve and muscles cells, particularly heart muscle cells. Normally, your blood potassium level is 3.6 to 5.2 millimoles per liter (mmol/L). A very low potassium level (less than 2.5 mmol/L ) can be life-threatening and requires urgent medical attention.
Treatment by potassium replacement intravenously is effective, and recovery occurs within 24 hours.
Hypokalemia may mimic neurovegetative symptoms, such as weakness, lethargy, apathy, fatigue, and depressed mood (2). Additionally, hypokalemia can mimic anxiety reactions, such as headache, irritability, nervousness, paresthesias, visual disturbances, and muscle discomfort (3).
Your blood potassium level is normally 3.6 to 5.2 millimoles per liter (mmol/L). Having a blood potassium level higher than 6.0 mmol/L can be dangerous and usually requires immediate treatment.
A large drop in potassium level may lead to abnormal heart rhythms, especially in people with heart disease. This can cause you to feel lightheaded or faint. A very low potassium level can even cause your heart to stop.
Electrolyte Imbalance
If you have really high or low levels of electrolytes like sodium or potassium, it can cause anxiety or panic-like symptoms.
It is often due to a paraneoplastic syndrome, related to several kinds of tumors. It is most frequently reported in patients with small-cell lung cancer, but it is also described in patients with non-small-cell lung cancer, head and neck cancer, and, rarely, other malignancies.
The Link Between Magnesium, Potassium, and the Heart
This is the critical link between these two ions and the heart — magnesium is critical to transporting potassium into the heart cells and optimizing heart health.
Can I take the test at home? You can take a potassium test at home, either with a blood or urine sample. If using a 24-hour urine test, you will need to collect your urine wherever you are during the day. For blood tests, you often need to visit a local laboratory to have your sample collected.
Excessive water consumption may lead to depletion of potassium, which is an essential nutrient. This may cause symptoms like leg pain, irritation, chest pain, et al.
In a recent study, the incidence of hypokalemia was significantly correlated in acute caffeine toxicity, and the higher the blood concentration of caffeine, the lower the potassium level was shown [7].
Potassium is an essential mineral that supports muscle function, fluid levels, blood pressure, and nerve signals. Prolonged fasts can quickly deplete potassium levels, leading to symptoms like insomnia, headaches, dizziness, muscle spasms, fatigue, and even arrhythmias.
Certain medications (such as diuretics), as well as conditions involving malabsorption, malnutrition, vomiting, diarrhea and excessive sweating, can also cause low potassium levels. Additionally, tobacco and caffeine can reduce potassium absorption in the body, which can lead to a deficiency.