Cause 7: Alcoholism
While a glass of wine or a pint of beer might be seen as harmless indulgences, for some, alcohol becomes a destructive force, affecting almost every organ in the body, including its impact on potassium levels.
Chronic heavy drinking can lead to a spectrum of health issues, one being malnutrition. The high calorie content of alcohol often substitutes nutritious food intake, leading to a deficiency of essential nutrients, including potassium. Alcohol also harms the gut lining, affecting the absorption of nutrients.
Additionally, alcohol increases the release of certain hormones that promote urinary excretion of potassium, further contributing to Hypokalemia. Alcohol-related liver disease can also indirectly result in low potassium levels due to associated complications.
Management of Hypokalemia in alcoholism involves treating the underlying addiction first. Detoxification and rehabilitation programs, coupled with dietary modifications, can significantly help improve overall health and restore potassium balance.(*)
