Observations placeholder
Cola abuse
Identifier
005573
Type of Spiritual Experience
Background
A description of the experience
Cases J. 2008 Jul 14;1(1):32. doi: 10.1186/1757-1626-1-32. Chronic hypokalemia due to excessive cola consumption: a case report. Packer CD. Louis Stokes Cleveland Veterans Affairs Medical Center, 10701 East Boulevard, Cleveland, Ohio, 44106, USA. clifford.packer@med.va.gov.
A 52-year-old man was noted to have severe chronic hypokalemia despite discontinuation of diuretic treatment for hypertension and aggressive oral potassium supplementation. His serum potassium normalized temporarily when he was hospitalized, but hypokalemia recurred after discharge. He complained of generalized weakness and fatigue, mental confusion, and occasional loose stools. Physical examination showed mild generalized muscle weakness. Laboratory testing ruled out renal potassium wasting. A dietary history revealed that he was consuming 4 liters of cola per day, with a calculated fructose load of 396 grams per day. Since fructose absorption in the small bowel is relatively inefficient, this probably led to an osmotic diarrhea and GI potassium wasting. Physicians should ask their patients about soft drink consumption when they encounter unexplained hypokalemia.
PMID: 18625064