How does potassium reverse the effects of periodic paralysis?
461073
Well usually the periodic paralysis is caused by a deficiency in potassium, generally because of some kind of metabolic problem. Muscles need potassium to be able to work, and if your body is potassium depleted, you end up paralysed. Thus, replacement of potassium restores the normal electrolyte balance of the body and reverses the paralysis.
728454
Well i haven't seem the whole question, but I think u mean how the axon limits the rate of firing of action potentials. Remember that the neurones need to repolraise after n action potential has been generated. This is as the ions diffuse in and out f the axon, restoring the resting potential.
209867
Eating more foods with potassium would help, like fruits, bananas, grapes, apples, or broccoli...\nOtherwise, go see a doctor and get some x-rays, maybe you have a pinched nerve or a split bone or torn muscle...\nSomething like that would create off and on pain...
737514
You probably have what is known as restless leg syndrome. I'm sure when you move then constantly they feel better? It usually means a lack of potassium and magnesium. Try taking these in a vitamin form. Or else next best thing to do is eat bananas. Also drink lots of water.
104353
Eat stuff with potassium..like bananas
51667
i heard its from too little potassium. eat a banana
273187
CALL AN AMBULANCE IMMEDIATELY! You may be low in potassium which in turn can affect your heart rate.  I read your previous post about getting dizzy when you stand up.  Sounds like you are dehydrated. Here's more info:\n\nHypokalemia\nWhat is it?\n\nHypokalemia is a low level of potassium in the blood. Potassium is an electrolyte that is important to the function of the nerve and muscle cells, including the heart. (May also be spelled hypokalaemia.)\nWho gets it?\n\nHypokalemia is most common in people with diseases that affect kidney function, people who take diuretics, and people with eating disorders.\nWhat causes it?\n\nMost of the body’s potassium is stored inside various cells and organs, with only a small amount found in the blood. The body maintains a balance of potassium in the blood by matching the amount of potassium taken in with the amount excreted (put out) by the kidneys. Hypokalemia occurs when the body releases too much potassium, such as through severe vomiting, diarrhea, or sweating during intense exercise. It also can be caused by a disease that affects kidney function – the kidneys may excrete too much potassium, or may not be able to match their output to the body’s potassium intake. Diseases that can cause hypokalemia include Liddle’s syndrome, Cushing’s syndrome, Fanconi’s syndrome, and Bartter’s syndrome. Certain drugs called diuretics increase the body’s urine output, which can also cause hypokalemia. Hypokalemia can be caused by overuse of laxatives; by eating disorders such as bulimia, which involves self-induced vomiting; and by prolonged fasting and starvation. Although it is less likely, hypokalemia can also be caused by not eating enough foods that contain potassium, and by eating too much licorice.\nWhat are the symptoms?\n\nSymptoms of hypokalemia include irregular heartbeat, which can range from mild to severe. Severe cases can result in cardiac arrest and paralysis of the lungs. Other symptoms can include muscle weakness, cramping, or flaccid paralysis (limpness); leg discomfort; extreme thirst; frequent urination; and confusion. Infants and young children with gastrointestinal illnesses that cause prolonged vomiting and diarrhea can die from cardiac arrest when potassium levels become dangerously low.\nHow is it diagnosed?\n\nHypokalemia is diagnosed by measuring the potassium levels in a blood sample. Normal blood potassium levels are 3.5 to 5.0 milliequivalents per liter (mEq/L) of blood. A patient with hypokalemia will have a blood potassium level lower than 3.5 mEq/L. To determine the cause of hypokalemia, your doctor may also check potassium levels in a urine sample. The doctor may also order a test called an electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG), which measures the electrical activity of the heart.\nWhat is the treatment?\n\nSever hypokalemia is treated in a hospital with intravenous (IV) potassium. In most cases, however, this condition can be treated by increasing the amounts of potassium-rich foods in the diet, drinking electrolyte replacement fluids during intense exercise or for severe vomiting or diarrhea, or by taking a potassium supplement in a dosage recommended by your doctor. It is important to have the potassium levels in the blood checked regularly if you are taking diuretics or other medications that affect potassium.\nSelf-care tips\n\nIf you have a disease that affects kidney function or are taking drugs that affect how much potassium the kidneys release, it is important to eat foods that are high in potassium. Potassium is found in many foods such as bananas, oranges, tomatoes, spinach and other green leafy vegetables, melons, peas and beans, and potatoes. If your infant or child experiences severe vomiting or diarrhea, call your doctor immediately and follow his or her recommendations for treatment to avoid hypokalemia.\n\nThis information has been designed as a comprehensive and quick reference guide written by our health care reviewers.  The health info
541503
Nerve impulse is connected with Na and K while muscle contraction has to do with Ca and Mg
847781
For potassium pills you will need to see a Doctor, which is always a good idea.\n\n  Eating Bananna's helps too.  Google Potassium sometime, it will help you find all the natural sources.\n\n  But leg cramps are not Always caused by low potassium, and too much potassium can be a problem as well, so my first advice is still best.\n\n  Talk to a Doctor.
126262
yes, they help restore potassium to your system.
876843
It can be several things. The most probable is magnesium or potassium deficit or restless leg syndrome
158163
Sodium and potassium ion channels open and close to mediate the signal.  There is a higher concentration of sodium outside the cell than inside and a higher concentration of potassium inside than outside.  Because of the size of the ions and the structure of their respective channels, Na+ diffuses across the membrane faster than K+.  The result is that the membrane potential starts at -70 mV, spikes at 40 mV as the Na+ ions pass the membrane, dips below -70 mV (to about -80 mV) when the Na+ channels close and the K+ channels open, and then normalizes back to -70 mV.  These ions are replenished by what you eat and drink-- those Gatorade commercials are telling the truth!  When you can't move your muscles anymore, your nerves might be out of electrolytes.  The whole system is kept at the necessary potentials with ion pumps in the nerve cell.
112910
The kidneys normally excrete excess potassium from the body. Therefore, most cases of hyperkalemia are caused by disorders that reduce the kidneys' ability to excrete potassium.\n\nThere are no at-home treatments I could find... you should really talk to your doctor about it.
1100141
what happened to you is called a "CHARLIE HORSE"  a really painful leg cramp i get them sometimes.  You get them because you are lacking POTASSIUM  you can prevent them by eating a banana, or taking a supplement but bananas do the trick the problem is if you eat a banana today you may get a charlie horse tonight but if you continue to eat a banana every day you won't have them starting tommorrow(it takes a day to absorb)  also you may be dehydrated drink more water and it will help also don't worry alot of people get them and they suck! so forget about the apple a day theory an banana will do the trick!
296942
No, but regularly eating bananas, almonds, or other foods that contain potassium will prevent them.
232567
I also have had leg cramps, my doctor told me I needed more potassium in my diet i.e. bananas and such.  Hope this helps!
1106061
my daughter who was 14 at the time also suffers similar symptoms. In addition to rashes, neck stiffness, and low blood pressure, at times her potassium level drops from normal to zero in the blink of an eye. Limbs become stiff then paralyzed and if not treated immediately, paralysis can reach the lungs and heart.  My daughter has an idiopathic disease called hypokalemia. It is difficult to diagnose since it can come and go before you can see a doctor. As with you, my daughter was originally thought to lose potassium through vomiting which was not the case.