Aldosteronism is the condition in which the adrenal glands produce too much of the hormone aldosterone. Aldosterone targets the collecting ducts in the kidneys and increases sodium and water reabsorption and the secretion of potassium. Renin, an...
Potassium is so readily available that you'd be hard pressed to find a food that doesn't include at least a little. This mineral is even found in tap water. It may be common, but potassium is so important that tests for it are found in most...
Potassium is found in almost every food in your refrigerator and on your pantry shelf. Even tap water is a source of this positively charged electrolyte. The prevalence of this mineral gives rise to questions as to how much potassium is too much....
Potassium chloride is a safe supplement for most people to take. However, it can be fatal if used improperly or taken by the wrong people. These dangerous properties are why executioners use potassium chloride in the lethal injections given to...
Serum potassium levels are so important that they are included in most routine lab work. Normal levels are between 3.5 and 5.0 mEq/L. The term "hyperkalemia" is used to describe abnormally high potassium levels. The National Kidney Foundation...
Regulation of sodium in your body requires tight controls of the amounts of fluid in your body. Your body has a number of "sensors" that detect your overall sodium level, many of which are in the kidneys. When your sodium levels are too high,...
A common complaint in patients with liver problems is a sensation of fullness or bloating within the abdomen. This sensation results from increased water retention within the membranous lining of the abdominal tissue known as ascites, according to...
According to the National Kidney Foundation, chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a worldwide public health problem affecting nearly 50 million people. More than half of the people who have CKD also have high blood pressure. CKD can cause hypertension...
According to MayoClinic.com, a person is said to suffer from the stage 2 high blood pressure when his systolic pressure is 160 or above, and his diastolic pressure is at least 100. Although high blood pressure, or hypertension, runs in the family,...
Cozaar (losartan potassium) is a medication used to treat high blood pressure. Cozaar affects the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system, which is involved with fluid balance and constriction of blood vessels in the body. By affecting this system,...
You might have heard "kidneys" and "potassium" mentioned in the same breath and assumed that potassium was good for the kidneys. Nothing could be further from the truth, because while kidneys and potassium are related, the association is not a...
Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, also called ACE inhibitors, are prescribed to treat heart, kidney and blood pressure disorders. ACE inhibitors act on the kidneys to manipulate and regulate blood pressure by altering enzyme and hormone...
Olmesartan, available as the brand Benicar, is a prescription drug for treating high blood pressure and congestive heart failure. Benicar also is effective for treating diabetic nephropathy, or kidney disease, in people with diabetes and high...
Blood pressure is the pumping of blood by the heart against the walls of the arteries. A high blood pressure measures 140/90. High blood pressure affects one in every three adults and increases your risk of heart attack and stroke. Eating a...
According to the American Heart Association, more than 73.6 million Americans over the age of 20 have high blood pressure (hypertension)--about one in every three adults. When most of us refer to high blood pressure, we're actually referring to a...
Hydrochlorothiazide, a diuretic, treats disorders with symptoms of fluid retention and high blood pressure such as kidney conditions, congestive heart failure and cirrhosis of the liver. Hydrochlorothiazide gradually lowers and controls blood...
If the levels of potassium within the body are low, then the condition called hypokalemia occurs. According to "Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine," potassium is the major positively charged ion in the internal cellular environment that is...
Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin critical for calcium balance, immunity and insulin secretion. It's also involved in blood pressure regulation. If you have a vitamin D deficiency, you are more likely to have a higher output of renin, an enzyme...
Sodium chloride -- also known as table salt -- is a compound your body needs to perform a variety of daily functions. Its basic parts, sodium and chloride, rest outside your cells. However, taking in too much can harm your health. Finding the...
One in three Americans suffer from hypertension, or high blood pressure. Uncontrolled hypertension increases your risk for heart attack and stroke. Some people with hypertension can control their blood pressure by losing weight, exercising and...
Also known as water pills, diuretics are medications recommended to treat a number of conditions where your body's ability to regulate water is affected, such as kidney disease. Different types of diuretics exist, but one type -- known as a loop...
The kidneys regulate the body’s fluid volume, maintain electrolyte concentrations and acid-base balance, filter the blood and remove wastes. The kidneys directly influence blood volume and blood pressure by controlling sodium levels in the...
Made from crushed and pressed olives, olive oil is a staple of a Mediterranean diet and is used in cooking, dressings and marinades. High in beneficial monounsaturated fatty acids and polyphenols, olive oil has been the topic of scientific...
The combination of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, or NSAIDS, and potassium supplements can be a deadly cocktail. NSAIDs can increase the level of potassium in your blood, leading to kidney problems and other potentially fatal complications....
Green tea, made from the unfermented leaves of Camellia sinensis, is consumed by millions of people around the world. Research has shown green tea to offer health benefits, including some related to kidney health. Consult your doctor before using...
When your body is in balance, it is said to be in homeostasis. If something becomes off, such as your blood pressure is too high or your body does not have enough fluid, your organs work to maintain balance. Because of their role in filtering...
High blood pressure is a condition in which the force of your blood against your artery walls is too high. This makes your heart work harder, and if uncontrolled, it can lead to serious problems like heart attack and stroke. Your blood pressure is...
Glycyrrhiza glabra, commonly known as licorice root, sweet root or Chinese licorice, is a popular remedy for stomach ulcers, sore throats, bronchitis and liver disease. According to the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine,...
Water retention causes weight gain during exercise, indicating too much fluid replacement. Increasing fluid intake before prolonged physical activity, also called hyperhydration, may prevent dehydration from likely fluid loss in hot conditions....
