Document Type
Article
Publication Title
Cureus
Abstract
Severe hypokalemia can have life-threatening complications such as significant muscle weakness, ileus, rhabdomyolysis, and respiratory failure. Here, we report a case of a 33-year-old male who presented with worsening lower extremity weakness and falls after smoking marijuana for six months. Initial labs showed severe hypokalemia. EKG was remarkable for a first-degree AV block, widened QRS complex, and ST segment depression. Intravenous potassium replacement resulted in complete resolution of lower extremity motor weakness. Our case highlights the underdiagnosed association of marijuana use with clinically significant hypokalemia and the rare presentation of severe hypokalemia with acute paralysis.
DOI
10.7759/cureus.44393
Publication Date
8-30-2023
Keywords
acute hypokalemic paralysis, severe hypokalemia etiologies, cannabis use complications, severe hypokalemia induced paralysis, cannabis induced hypokalemia
ISSN
2168-8184
Recommended Citation
Singh A, Apostolatos A, Iyer A, Escobedo B, Middlemas M. Cannabis Use: An Uncommon Cause of Hypokalemia-Induced Acute Paralysis. Cureus. 2023; 15(8). doi: 10.7759/cureus.44393.
