Low Level Laser for Hypokalemia- Update

Hypokalemia

Yulia, lovely young lady, hospitalized for 7^th times due to "paralysis". Yulia dearest, your working diagnosis was hypokalemia.

What is that?

Symptoms

The common symptoms for this kind problem are muscle weakness and cramping, and paralysis like yours, also paresthesias, palpitations, constipation, nausea or vomiting, abdominal cramping, polyuria, nocturia, or polydipsia.¹

What is kalium?

Kalium or Potassium is one of the body's major ions. Nearly 98% of the body's potassium is intracellular. The ratio of intracellular to extracellular potassium is important in determining the cellular membrane potential. Small changes in the extracellular potassium level can have profound effects on the function of the cardiovascular and neuromuscular systems.¹

Pretty Yulia, Potassium is about working of a cell.

How about the normal level

The reference range for serum potassium level is 3.5-5 mEq/L, with total body potassium stores of approximately 50 mEq/kg (ie, approximately 3500 mEq in a 70-kg person).

Hypokalemia is defined as a potassium level less than 3.5 mEq/L. ¹

Moderate hypokalemia is a serum level of 2.5-3 mEq/L. ¹

Severe hypokalemia is defined as a level less than 2.5 mEq/L.¹

Pathophysiology:

Hypokalemia may result from conditions as varied as renal or GI losses, inadequate diet, transcellular shift (movement of potassium from serum into cells), and medications.

Laser for Hypokalemi

Your father came to me , wonder if Low Level laser Therapy (LLLT) could work on this condition. I found Karu’s model. Karu’s model shows , light is absorbed by components of repiratory chain ( i.e. flavine dehydrogenase, cytochomes and cytochromes oxidase) which causean activation of the respiratory and the oxidation of the NAD pool , which leads to changes in the redox status of oth mitochondria and the cytoplasm. This in turn has an effect on membrane permeability/ transport , with changes in the Na ⁺ /H⁺ ratio and increase Na⁺/K⁺ ATPase activity.

How about your's dear?

The last time you were in hospital, your number just 1.5 mEq/L.(Severe hypokalemi). I gived you LLLT by transcutaneus, 45 minutes everyday, 10 times. It worked! At 4th administered, although your kalium still below 2.5 mEq/L, you felt strong enough, no muscle weakness. It was amazing.

Discussion :

Inadequate diet and GI problem could explained Yulia's . His father told me, her appetite not so good. She also prone for diarrhea.

So dear, yet LLLT help you , please take times to visit gastroenterologist.

Author: David Garth, MD, Consulting Staff, Department of Emergency Medicine, Mary Washington Hospital : eMedicine Specialties > Emergency Medicine > Endocrine And Metabolic ; Hypokalemia; Last Updated: September 20, 2005