Most of the potassium in your body, or approximately 98 percent, is contained within your cells. The remaining potassium circulates in the fluid outside of the cells. Excess potassium levels, or hyperkalemia, occur when the amount of potassium in the fluid outside of your cells, specifically your blood, increases to potentially dangerous levels.
Causes
The kidneys are responsible for filtering excess potassium from the blood and maintaining the proper potassium levels. Because of this, kidney diseases, such as acute kidney failure, chronic kidney failure, glomerulonephritis and obstructive uropathy, are the most common cause of excess potassium levels. Excess potassium levels may also occur as a result of hormonal imbalances that disrupt fluid and electrolyte balance. Addison's disease, which disrupts aldosterone production, is a common cause of hyperkalemia. Other conditions may cause potassium to more from the inside of the cells to the outside of the cells. These conditions include severe trauma, burns, gastrointestinal bleeding, surgery and certain tumors. Increased potassium intake may also lead to excess potassium levels, although this usually only occurs if kidney function is decreased.
Symptoms
Hyperkalemia often does not produce any symptoms. When symptoms do occur, they may include a weak or absent pulse, irregular heartbeat, fatigue, weakness, difficulty breathing, nausea and vomiting. Some people may also experience abnormal nervous sensations, such as tingling and numbness in the limbs and extremities. If hyperkalemia is severe, it can lead to paralysis of the lungs.
Treatment
The initial goals of treatment for hyperkalemia are to decrease potassium levels and stabilize heart function. Treatment may include calcium chloride, which protects the heart from the effects of potassium, and insulin, sodium bicarbonate and beta agonists, which stimulates potassium to move from the blood into the cells. A doctor may also prescribe diuretics, which stimulate water excretion and help the kidneys remove excess potassium. If you have kidney failure, hemodialysis is the most effective way to treat hyperkalemia.
Once potassium levels return to normal, long-term treatment focuses on correcting or controlling the cause of the excess potassium in your blood.
Nutritional Suggestions
Although high intake of potassium is rarely a direct cause of hyperkalemia, following the proper diet can help reduce the severity of any symptoms associated with hyperkalemia. You should avoid foods that contain high amounts of potassium, such as sweet potatoes, tomatoes, bananas, lentils, nuts, peaches and salmon. Avoid red meats, refined carbohydrates and processed foods. You should also make sure to drink adequate amounts of water to prevent dehydration, which can worsen hyperkalemia.
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