Most of the potassium in your body--or approximately 98 percent, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center--is found inside your cells and in your organ tissues. The small amount of remaining potassium is located in the fluids outside of your body cells, including your blood. Because the amount of potassium in your blood is so small, even slight increases can cause dangerous complications. The condition of having high potassium levels in your blood is medically referred to as hyperkalemia.
Causes
Most cases of hyperkalemia are caused by kidney abnormalities. The kidneys are responsible for removing excess potassium from the blood. If the kidneys do not work properly, the amount of potassium in your blood can accumulate to dangerous levels. Some common kidney-related causes of hyperkalemia include acute kidney failure, chronic kidney failure, glomerulonephritis and obstructive uropathy.
Too much acid in the blood, or acidosis, can also lead to increased potassium levels. Acidosis, which can be caused by burns, gastrointestinal bleeding, surgery, a traumatic injury or tumors, causes your cells to release potassium into the bloodstream.
Certain medications, such as diuretics, can also lead to high potassium in your blood. High intake of potassium-rich foods may lead to hyperkalemia, but according to Medline Plus, this usually only occurs in conjunction with decreased kidney function.
Symptoms
Many people with hyperkalemia do not experience any physical symptoms. When symptoms do occur, they may include fatigue, weakness, tingling, numbness, nausea, vomiting and difficulty breathing. High potassium levels can also disrupt the normal heartbeat, leading to heart arrhythmias and a slow, weak or absent pulse.
Treatment
The initial focus of treatment for hyperkalemia is on reducing potassium levels. Acute treatment may involve diuretics and cation-exchange resin medications, which attach to potassium and help the body excrete it. Intravenous calcium, glucose and insulin may be administered to reduce symptoms and prevent any possible complications, such as a heart attack. In severe cases or if hyperkalemia is a result of kidney disorders, dialysis may be necessary to help remove potassium from the body.
Once potassium levels drop to normal, long-term treatment focuses on correcting the cause of hyperkalemia. The specific treatment plan varies based on the underlying medical condition.
Considerations
Complications of hyperkalemia can occur rapidly and without warning. If you know you have a disorder that interferes with proper excretion of potassium from the body, it is important that you monitor your potassium intake and follow your any nutrition or diet recommendations from your doctor. If you experience any of the symptoms of hyperkalemia, contact your doctor immediately.
Member Comments