Hyperkalemia is a condition where there are high levels of potassium in the blood, which can be life-threatening. It can be caused by kidney failure, certain medications, and other medical conditions. Treatment includes lowering potassium levels and addressing the underlying cause.
Hyperkalemia is a medical condition characterized by high levels of potassium in the blood. Depending on the amount of potassium involved, this condition can be life-threatening and requires medical treatment to eliminate the excess potassium and uncover the underlying cause. Many people discover they have hyperkalemia in a routine doctor’s visit, when blood work reveals unusually high levels of potassium in the blood. Early diagnosis can prevent long-term problems.
Broken down into its root words, “hyperkalemia” literally means “excessive potassium in the blood.” A number of things can lead to this condition, including kidney failure, the use of certain medications, adrenal gland problems, taking too much potassium, and conditions that cause cells to release potassium, such as a medical problem that leads to the spread of dead cells. Under normal conditions, the body regulates potassium levels by expressing potassium in the urine, absorbing potassium into the cells, or by vomiting when too much potassium has been consumed.
Potassium is an important mineral in the body. It helps regulate muscle movement, which is why people recommend taking potassium for muscle cramps, as the increased potassium can help the muscle relax. However, when potassium levels get too high, they can cause problems with muscle function, leading to muscle weakness and fatigue. More critically, excessive potassium leads to arrhythmias, eventually causing a heart attack. In fact, the mineral is so good at causing heart attacks that potassium chloride is used in lethal injections.
When a patient presents with hyperkalemia, the first goal is to lower the potassium levels. In a mild case, the patient may be switched to a low-potassium diet, and the doctor may review the patient’s medical history and lifestyle to look for causes. For example, the condition could indicate that there is an underlying medical problem, or the patient could simply be eating too many bananas. Follow-up tests can be used to ensure your potassium levels are down.
In acute hyperkalemia, potassium levels can be lowered with the use of a variety of medications or even with dialysis to remove potassium from the blood. Additionally, the patient may be given calcium to help regulate his heartbeat, ensuring that heart failure does not occur while the patient is in treatment. Once the patient has stabilized, the doctor can look for the root cause of the hyperkalemia and address it so the potassium levels don’t rise again.
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