A conceptual approach that relates vascular headaches, bowel and bladder dysfunction to
abnormalities of the “ammonia potassium axis” is presented. Hypokalemia alters smooth
muscle function of both the bowel and bladder and results in the elaboration of an alkaline
urine. The occurrence of an alkaline urine, along with bladder dysfunction and urinary stasis,
predisposes to recurrent urinary tract infections. Hypokalemia and/or alkalosis increases the
renal return of ammonia, exposes the brain to chronically higher concentration of ammonia …