subject: Information On How An Alcohol Addict May Have Minimal Potassium Levels [print this page] Potassium is necessary for the body to allow it to maintain healthy muscle, nerves and heart capabilities. An individual who has a minimal level of potassium that is a result of alcohol addiction should consult with a medical practioner to acquire an immediate therapy.
An alcoholic who consumes alcohol many times regularly is likely to lose electrolytes and nutrients that include potassium. He may not be acquiring a good nutrition through his diet as he may not ingest healthy foods. According to experts of alcohol treatment programs, kidneys of alcoholics are usually affected which will affect the potassium level in the body.
Alcoholism also interferes with the absorption of some important nutrients that include vitamins E, C and D. magnesium, zinc and amino acids. These maybe lost because of symptoms like diarrhea, vomiting, sweating and increased urination.
A body that has a decreased potassium level should work more to meet the demands of the body organs that include the liver, kidney and heart. If an individual has an alcohol issue, his internal organs will have to work harder to keep up with the side effects of the habit. When his body is drunk and could not recover from it immediately, his liver and kidney as well as his muscles will need potassium ions to revitalize and replenish the system. Many professionals of alcohol treatment programs say that as the body needs potassium for an extended period of time, the potassium levels of the body will drop. This is even more possible when the individual is exhausted.
An individual who has hypokalemia or a decreased potassium level, should undergo an intensive metabolic panel or routine blood test. When his problem is mild, his physician may handle the condition through potassium pills. But the patient must follow-up within 24 to 72 hours to ensure that there is a rise of the potassium levels. If the levels don't seem to stabilize, the patient should be admitted to the hospital so that he can be given a potassium drip and be observed closely. An alcoholic who has a potassium concern should also be cured for his alcoholism. If his physician suggests that he has to be admitted to an inpatient treatment clinic, the vital signs and potassium levels can also be observed at the same time. In order to enjoy complete recovery, the individual will need outpatient and nutritional support to prevent the reoccurrence of minimal potassium levels.
Alcoholics who have low potassium levels should be hospitalized because this is a more dangerous condition than they might have thought. Low potassium levels will interrupt the normal performance of the vital organs in the body that include the kidney, heart and liver.
