what is hypokalemia, this illness from which Johnny’s widow suffers?

Earlier this week, Laeticia Hallyday was hospitalized in emergency intensive care at the American hospital in Neuilly, for a few days. Johnny’s widow reportedly suffers from hypokalemia, a drop in blood potassium, which is why Jalil Lespert’s companion was put on a drip. But what is this evil and how can we remedy it? Dr Gérald Kierzek, emergency physician and medical director of Doctissimo, provided some explanations on this subject. As the specialist pointed out, potassium is a vital ion present in the blood. “It can be measured by a blood test, which is called an ionogram and the normal figures are around 4 mmol / l of potassium in the blood”. However, below 3.5 mmol / l of blood, we speak of hypokalemia. This can be moderate, severe, or very severe.

You should know that the balance of potassium in the blood is a balance between dietary intake and renal elimination of the ion, detail our colleagues. On the other hand, mild hypokalemia can be well tolerated if it occurs in a healthy person. Nevertheless, “if the drop is too great, symptoms such as muscle pain and severe fatigue can be feltcontinues Dr. Kierzek. Moderate to severe hypokalemia can even have cardiac effects with arrhythmias.

Hypokalemia: an illness that can be life-threatening

What are the different causes of hypokalemia? First of all, a diet low in potassiumbut also increased gastrointestinal or renal excretion of potassium, due, for example, to gastroenteritis or taking diuretics, lists Doctissimo. But this evil may just as well be due to a transfer of potassium into the celldue to insulin intake, metabolic alkalosis or certain medications, such as beta-2 mimetics.

Is suffering from hypokalaemia a life-threatening condition? “Significant hypokalemia can be life-threateningteaches us Dr Gérald Kierzek. In cases where the deficiency is profound, an infusion must be set up very quicklywhich will compensate for the lack of potassium in the body.” Thus, potassium can be prescribed orally, when the drop is weak, or to continue treatment at home after an infusion, indicates the site dedicated to health. Finally, it is good to know thatthere are foods rich in potassium, like beets, spinach, bananas, sweet potatoes and potatoes, white beans or even grapefruit. For an adult, the recommended daily allowance is 3,500 mg of potassium.