Kidney disease impacts 26 millions Americans, according to the National Kidney Foundation. Many of them will have renal failure, and the physician may prescribe sodium polystyrene, a medication that influences the level of potassium in the body. Renal failure complications, which include gastroparesis, may complicate your treatment regime.
About Sodium Polystyrene
Sodium polystyrene is a medication used to treat high levels of potassium in the body. You can take it by mouth -- generally sodium polystyrene powder mixed with water -- or you can take it rectally as an enema. Your physician may recommend you take this medication one to four times each day. Side effects of this medication include constipation, diarrhea, upset stomach, nausea and vomiting.
Renal Failure and Sodium Polystyrene
Sodium polystyrene may be an option if you suffer from kidney problems because during renal failure, your body loses its ability to adequately filter potassium out of your body. Potassium builds up in the bloodstream, a condition known as hyperkalemia, and triggers irregular heartbeat, weakness and heart failure. Taking sodium polystyrene helps remove potentially dangerous levels of potassium when this happens.
Gastroparesis and Sodium Polystyrene
A study published in the August 2010 issue of "Nature Reviews Nephrology" indicates that roughly 70 percent of patients with renal failure experience gastrointestinal problems, including gastroparesis. While gastroparesis is not a beneficial condition overall, the nausea and vomiting associated with it can lead an electrolyte imbalance, which requires potassium to correct. Taking sodium polystyrene when you have gastroparesis can worsen this electrolyte imbalance, so carefully follow your physician's instructions for taking this medication when you have both gastroparesis and kidney problems.
About Gastroparesis
Gastroparesis is a gastrointestinal condition characterized by your stomach's inability to empty. Physicians do not understand why this condition occurs, notes PubMed Health. Symptoms of gastroparesis include nausea, vomiting, unintentional weight loss, abdominal distention and abnormal abdominal fullness after eating. If you have diabetes, you may also experience problems controlling blood sugar because of the gastroparesis.
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