Hyperkalemia is a condition where you have high levels of potassium in your blood. You may have no symptoms, or they may be easy to ignore. Severe symptoms may cause muscle weakness or damage the heart. Treatment includes a low-potassium diet, drugs that lower potassium levels, and, in severe cases, dialysis.Potassium and its role in the bodyPotassium is a positively charged electrolyte. Electrolytes are minerals that have a natural positive or negative charge when dissolved in water or other body fluids such as blood. It helps carry an electrical charge through your body, which helps your body function.Potassium helps as:Potassium is obtained from the foods and drinks you consume. Normally, the kidneys remove excess potassium, which leaves the body in the urine. But if you have too much potassium in your body, your kidneys may not be able to remove it all, and it can build up in your blood. Too much potassium in your blood can damage your heart, cause palpitations and even a heart attack. A typical potassium level for adults is between 3.5 and 5.0 millimoles per liter (mmol/L). Hyperkalemia occurs when potassium levels exceed 5.5 mmol/L. A potassium level above 6.5 mmol/L can cause heart problems that require immediate medical attention. If potassium levels are slightly elevated, there may be no symptoms or they may be easily ignored. Symptoms often come and go or may appear gradually over weeks or months. Mild signs of hyperkalemia may include: Extremely high potassium levels affect the heart and can cause serious, life-threatening problems. Severe symptoms of hyperkalemia may include: The most common cause of hyperkalemia is kidney disease. Kidney disease affects the kidneys, which means they don’t filter waste products (including excess potassium) from the blood as they should. In addition to kidney disease, these factors also contribute to hyperkalemia: A high-potassium diet, including potassium supplements. Medicines that block the ability of the kidneys to secrete potassium, including certain medicines that treat high blood pressure. Severe hyperkalemia can occur suddenly. It can cause life-threatening changes in the heart that can lead to a heart attack. Without treatment, even mild hyperkalemia can damage the heart over time, according to dcmedical.ro. Treatment for hyperkalemia varies depending on potassium levels. Treatment options may include: Diuretics. Diuretics cause you to urinate more electrolytes such as sodium and potassium, which makes you urinate more often. Medication management. Blood pressure medications and certain other medications can increase potassium levels. Stopping or taking another type of medicine can lower your levels. Potassium binders. Potassium binders help lower potassium levels by attaching extra potassium to the stool. Intravenous (IV) therapy. A healthcare provider may order intravenous therapy (given through a vein) if you have extremely high potassium levels. Dialysis. You may need dialysis if other treatments are not effective or if you have kidney failure. Dialysis helps the kidneys remove excess potassium from the blood, exquis.ro cites.
2024-02-25 23:47:01
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