The body needs potassium for normal tissue, organ, cell, muscular and even digestive function. It is found in much of the food you eat, primarily meats, dairy products, fruits, vegetables, certain types of fish and legumes. While it is important to get enough potassium in the diet, too much potassium can be fatal. High potassium levels result in a condition known as hyperkalemia. According to the Mayo Clinic, normal potassium level is 3.6 to 4.8 mEq/L. Levels higher than 6.0 requires prompt medical attention and can be potentially fatal.
Symptoms
According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, hyperkalemia can occur without symptoms. However, some people may experience hyperkinetic symptoms such as nausea, weak or absent pulse and irregular heartbeat or arrhythmia.
Hyperkalemia and Kidney Disorders
Kidney disease is a common cause of hyperkalemia. Part of the kidneys' function is to remove excess potassium from the body. When this function is impaired, potassium builds up in the kidneys. Acute and chronic kidney failure, damage to the part of the kidney that filters waste and fluid---known as glomerulonephritis---obstructive uropathy and kidney transplant rejection are all disorders that can cause potassium build-up in the kidneys.
Addison's Disease
Aldosterone is a hormone that regulates the removal of potassium and sodium from the kidneys. A shortage of aldosterone can lead to hyperkalemia, and a disorder that contributes to reduce aldosterone levels is Addison's Disease.
Injury
Injuries to the tissues such as burns, stomach or intestinal bleeding, hemolytic conditions, or any type of physical trauma can cause cells to release potassium and elevate potassium levels. A healthy kidney and normal aldosterone levels will prevent hyperkalemia in these cases.
Salt Substitutes
Using salt substitutes may increase your risk of developing hyperkalemia, especially if kidney function is poor. Salt substitutes contain potassium, as do foods that are packaged as "low-salt."
Medications
Medications that affect kidney function such as intravenous potassium supplements and potassium-sparing diuretics such as amiloride and triameterene can cause hyperkalemia.
Treatment
Acute treatment of hyperkalemia includes dialysis, prescribing diuretics, intravenous calcium, glucose and insulin, sodium bicarbonate and cation-exchange resin medications. Long-term treatment of the condition involves limiting or stopping the use of potassium supplements and prescribing loop diuretics to reduce potassium and fluid levels in persons with chronic renal failure. Close monitoring and hospitalization is often required in either acute or severe cases of hyperkalemia, because cardiac arrest may occur at any time during treatment .
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