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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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Difficulty Breathing, Prickling Sensation In Chest. Low Potassium Levels. Treatment?

Hi. I was hiking over the weekend and I was having a hard time breathing on a steep incline. I began having severe needle pricking sensation in chest . I was supposed to have surgery yesterday, but it was cancelled due to low potassium level, 2.8. Could that be the cause of the needle pricking sensation, low electrolytes? I was doing hard labor in my yard last week in 110+ degree weather
Thu, 10 Oct 2013
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Ayurveda Specialist,  's  Response
**
1. because you worked in 110+ weather causing excessive sweating [Non-renal loss] which is one cause of low potassium, likewise check for Magnesium values also.
2. The manifestation of hypokalemia are mainly neuromuscular and cardiac.
3. Take Oral potassium supplements and potassium rich diet: banana,papaya, cheese,tomato,soyabean,coconut water,fruit juices,spinach,potato, chocolates, leafy vegetables.

PS: Electrolyte abnormalities do not typically cause difficulty breathing, sometimes very low calcium/low magnesium/low phosphate levels can be associated with muscle weakness which could affect the diaphragm causing shortness of breath and prickling sensation in chest.
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Difficulty Breathing, Prickling Sensation In Chest. Low Potassium Levels. Treatment?

** 1. because you worked in 110+ weather causing excessive sweating [Non-renal loss] which is one cause of low potassium, likewise check for Magnesium values also. 2. The manifestation of hypokalemia are mainly neuromuscular and cardiac. 3. Take Oral potassium supplements and potassium rich diet: banana,papaya, cheese,tomato,soyabean,coconut water,fruit juices,spinach,potato, chocolates, leafy vegetables. PS: Electrolyte abnormalities do not typically cause difficulty breathing, sometimes very low calcium/low magnesium/low phosphate levels can be associated with muscle weakness which could affect the diaphragm causing shortness of breath and prickling sensation in chest.