Proper functioning of the human body requires potassium. Potassium plays an important role in blood pressure regulation and water balance in the body. However, too much or too little of this substance can cause health problems. Aldosterone on the other hand, is a hormone produced and released by the adrenal glands. An imbalance of this hormone affects blood levels of potassium.
Functions of Potassium
Potassium regulates transfer of nerve impulses, muscle contractions and proper functioning of the heart. Some enzymes require the presence of potassium to carry out their activities. Potassium helps maintain water balance in the body. Low blood levels of potassium causes symptoms such as muscle weakness, constipation, abdominal pain and bloating in the abdominal area. High levels of potassium can result in serious consequences such as abnormal heart rhythms or cardiac arrhythmia which could progress to cardiac arrest -- a condition in which the heart stops beating.
Aldosterone
The adrenal glands have two parts and each one produces different hormones. The outer part is the adrenal cortex, while the adrenal medulla is the inner portion of the adrenal gland.The adrenal cortex produces aldosterone. It is a mineralocorticoid hormone that regulates sodium and potassium levels in the body. Aldosterone stimulates the kidneys to reabsorb sodium and excrete potassium. Adrenal diseases that involve high or low amounts of aldosterone cause an imbalance in the body's potassium levels.
Adrenal Diseases
Hyperaldosteronism and adrenal insufficiency are adrenal diseases that affect the amount of potassium in the body. Aldosterone levels are high in hyperaldosteronism. This stimulates the body to secrete high amounts of potassium. In this case, blood potassium levels are low. Adrenal insufficiency on the other hand, is characterized by low levels of aldosterone in the body. Here, the body retains potassium and because of this, potassium levels in the body are high.
Causes
Tumors in the adrenal glands, as well as, enlargement of these glands can cause hyperaldosteronism. Conditions such as very high blood pressure or constriction of one of the arteries that supply the kidneys with blood can also result in hyperaldosteronism.
The National Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases Information Service explains that destruction of at least 90 percent of the adrenal cortex causes adrenal insufficiency. Autoimmune disease -- a disorder during which the immune system destroys parts of the body like the adrenal cortex, genetic defects in the adrenal glands, and infections such as tuberculosis can cause adrenal insufficiency
Treatments
Treatments for hyperaldosteronism are surgical removal of the tumors in the adrenal gland or removal of a portion of the adrenal gland. Spironolactone -- a diuretic that removes water from the body while maintaining the body's potassium levels -- is used to treat symptoms of hyperaldosteronism.
In adrenal insufficiency, the aim of treatment is to replace the deficient hormone. Fludrocortisone acetate is a synthetic hormone used to treat adrenal insufficiency. It mimics the action of aldosterone.
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