Potassium is a mineral (electrolyte) used by the body to function. Low blood potassium (hypokalemia) is a condition in which the body is not getting enough potassium. Causes of hypokalemia are chronic kidney disease, low magnesium, and sweating. Symptoms of low potassium include palpitations and muscle aches. Usually, people with infections like the stomach flu will recover on their own. However, in severe cases you may be hospitalized.

Low potassium or hypokalemia is a decrease in blood potassium levels, which is caused by colon polyps, vomiting, diarrhea, medications, and laxatives. Foods in the diet are how the body absorbs potassium. Symptoms of low potassium in the blood include palpitations, muscle cramps, and muscle aches. Treatment for low potassium is low potassium through diet IV.

Hyperkalemia (high blood potassium) is abnormally high potassium levels in the blood. Hyperkalemia symptoms include nausea, muscle weakness, tingling sensations. Medications and certain medical conditions are hyperkalemia causes.

Read about blood electrolytes (sodium, potassium, chloride, and bicarbonate) and the effects of electrolyte imbalances like kidney failure, low blood pressure, hypokalemia, and hyperkalemia.

A muscle cramp is an involuntarily contracted muscle that won't relax. Get information on muscle cramps (charley horses), including leg cramps, causes (vitamin deficiency, drugs, lactic acid, dehydration, low calcium, potassium or magnesium), treatment, home remedies, and prevention.

Edema is swelling caused by fluid accumulation in the tissues of the body and occurs most often in the legs, feet, ankles, or hands. Learn about different types, symptoms, causes, and treatment.

Periodic paralysis syndrome describes seven to eight different types of rare genetic conditions that cause symptoms of episodic muscle weakness and paralysis. Episodes of paralysis can occur in only certain areas of the body, like an arm or leg, or the whole body. Hypokalemic and normokalemic are two kinds of this genetic problem. Treatment depends upon the type. There is no cure for these syndromes.

Read about pregnancy power foods or superfoods, which are healthy foods that provide nutrients for you and your growing baby. Learn why each food is healthy for you and your baby, and find out how to enjoy these power foods.

Constipation is something that everyone has once in awhile. Medications, bowel habits, foods you eat, and laxatives all can cause occasional constipation. Home remedies and over-the-counter products generally treat occasional constipation. If you have constipation on a frequent basis, contact your doctor.

Natural or home remedies for headaches include drinking coconut water, caffeine, essential oils like lavender, herbs, vitamins, and avoiding certain foods that trigger headaches, like foods high in salt, alcohol, shellfish, preserved foods, and foods rich in tyramine-rich nutrients.

High blood pressure can be reduced and managed naturally with the DASH diet, and by quitting smoking, reducing alcohol intake, and cutting back on caffeine. Combined with diet, other natural ways to lower blood pressure naturally are stress reduction and weight loss. If high blood pressure cannot be controlled naturally, medications may be necessary.

Heartburn during pregnancy is common due to high levels of hormones. Certain foods can aggravate heartburn, such as chocolate, fatty foods, peppermint, and chocolate. There are natural, home remedies like avoiding tight clothing, bending and moving correctly, and even chewing gum!

Atrial fibrillation (AFib) is an abnormal heart rhythm that causes an irregular and rapid heartbeat. Medications to treat AFib include beta-blockers, blood thinners, and heart rhythm drugs. AFib medications can cause side effects.

Interstitial cystitis (IC)/painful bladder syndrome (PBS) is an inflammatory disease of the bladder that can cause ulceration and bleeding of the bladder's lining and can lead to scarring and stiffening of the bladder. Symptoms of interstitial cystitis vary, but can include pelvic or bladder pain, frequent urination, and urinary urgency.

Preeclampsia is a condition that pregnant women can get and is marked by three specific symptoms. Eclampsia is the final and most severe phase of preeclampsia and occurs when preeclampsia is left untreated.

Laxatives are often used to relieve constipation. Examples of types of laxatives include bulk-forming, stool softeners, lubricants, stimulants, saline, enemas, and suppositories. Side effects include allergies to ingredients in the medicine; interactions with other medications; liver, spleen, and lymph gland inflammation; and over-thinning of blood.

Read about hemodialysis, a treatment for kidney failure using an advanced dialysis machine to remove waste products from the blood, and then returning the clean blood to the patient.

Diabetic ketoacidosis, a life threatening complication that affects people with type 1 diabetes. Diabetic ketoacidosis occurs when the body cannot produce enough insulin for glucose (blood sugar) to use for fuel. Low insulin levels produce ketones (blood acids), which alters the body’s electrolytes. Diabetic ketoacidosis can be fatal if not medically treated.

Read about dehydration in children, adults, symptoms, and signs (thirst, dry mouth, dark urine), causes (vomiting, diarrhea). Causes of dehydration are diarrhea, vomiting, excessive sweating, and diseases or conditions like diabetes or severe skin burns.

Kidney (Renal) failure (acute or chronic) occurs when the kidneys no longer function well and the end stage of kidney failure. Some people have symptoms of kidney failure while others do not; however whey they do occur they include shortness of breath, generalized swelling, and congestive heart failure. Causes of acute and chronic kidney failure include medications, cancer, and cirrhosis. Kidney failure can be treated with medications, lifestyle changes, dialysis, and kidney transplant. There is no cure for kidney failure.

Use this list of common medical abbreviations and terminology used by doctors, medical specialists, RNs, PAs, and other health-care professionals to help you read and decipher the information on your prescriptions and doctors' medical notes.

Learn about the DASH diet for high blood pressure. The DASH diet includes eliminating high salt, fat, and sugary foods and drinks from the diet (for example, meat dishes, pizza, soups, prepackaged foods), and replacing them with healthier options.

Pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (NETs) form in the islet cells of the pancreas. Signs and symptoms vary depending upon the type of pancreatic NET. Read about prognosis, treatment, and staging.

Read about premature ventricular contractions (PVCs) or premature heartbeats that originate from the heart ventricles. Causes of PVCs include heart attacks, high blood pressure, COPD, medications, alcohol, excess caffeine, and more.

Reflux laryngitis is a condition caused by GERD or acid backing up into the esophagus and vocal cords. The most common symptom of reflux laryngitis is heartburn. This type of laryngitis causes inflammation of the lining of the esophagus, which causes chronic hoarseness, cough, and throat clearing, difficulty swallowing, asthma, and sinusitis. Diet, home remedies, lifestyle changes, and OTC and prescription medication treat most cases of reflux laryngitis. Rarely, surgery is necessary.

Information about antacids used to treat heartburn, gastritis, esophagitis, duodenitis, ulcers, calcium deficiencies, hyperphosphatemia, low phosphate levels, postmenopausal osteoporosis. Including side effects, types, uses, and interaction.

Diuretics: FAQs - Information on diuretic drugs and the diseases and conditions they are prescribed for; high blood pressure, kidney disease, heart disease, osteoporosis, kidney failure, cirrhosis, and glaucoma. Including uses, types, side effect, and drug interaction.

Learn about high blood pressure (hypertension) medications such as ACE inhibitors, beta-blockers, diuretics, angiotensin II receptor blockers, calcium channel blockers, alpha-blockers, alpha-2 receptor blockers, central agonists, peripheral adrenergic inhibitors, and vasodilators. Read about side effects, drug interactions, and more.

Learn about ACE Inhibitors, a class of drugs prescribed for high blood pressure, heart failure, hypertension related kidney disease, stroke prevention, and other conditions. Side Effects, types, uses, and interaction are also included.