2015 Volume 65 Issue 4 Pages 299-302
A 67-year-old male complaining of muscular weakness and gait disturbance presented at our emergency room. He had a habit of excessive alcohol consumption, and suffered from severe diarrhea for more than 3 years. Laboratory examination performed at arrival showed that his serum potassium level was remarkably decreased (at 2.1 mEq/L). Endocrine levels were all within normal limits. The diagnosis of hypokalemic myopathy caused by excessive alcohol consumption was made based on and laboratory data. Upon admission, the symptoms of myopathy and diarrhea improved as the serum potassium level improved, and he was discharged on the 7 th day. Hypokalemia can become fatal and the causes of hypokalemic myopathy are diverse. Therefore, in addition to correcting the serum potassium level, it is important to search for the cause of hypokalemia.
