Hypokalemia occurs with vomiting, diarrhea, fistulas, laxatives, diuretics, burns, excessive perspiration, Bartter's syndrome, some cases of alcoholism and folic acid deficiency, in alkalosis, and in renal tubular acidosis, as well as in other entities.
Hyperkalemia occurs with hemolysis, trauma, with administration of potassium salts of some drugs.
Increased potassium can occur with potassium sparing diuretics, nonsteroidal anti-infammatory drugs, especially in the presence of renal disease.