Potassium is an essential mineral for the proper functioning of the body. In fact, like sodium and chlorine, potassium is an electrolyte that ensures various vital functions for the human body. It works together with sodium to maintain the body’s acid-base balance and fluid balance. But when its dose becomes too high in the blood, the risks of serious diseases become considerable. Find out more in this article.
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High potassium: what do you know about hyperkalemia?
When the level of potassium in a person’s blood is high, he or she has what is called hyperkalemia. Indeed, potassium is mostly present in the organs and cells of the human body. Only a handful of this nutrient (about 2%) can therefore be found in the blood. It promotes the proper functioning of the bodyit helps the body to function properly, the nerves to work and the muscles to work harder. It is therefore essential for physical well-being and health in general.
Moreover, since the heart is a muscle, this nutrient is essential for its proper functioning. Its presence in the blood is regulated by the kidneys. However, when a person is subject to a renal disease such as nephropathy, he or she may experience a deregulation of the potassium level in the blood. This can lead to serious consequences such as the development of severe diseases, including hyperkalemia.
High potassium: what causes it?
There are different reasons for high potassium levels in the blood. These are:
- Kidney failure;
- Excessive acidity of the blood;
- The presence of a type of diabetes in the blood
- Presence of cardiovascular disease;
- The presence of diabetes;
- Excessive potassium in the diet (orange, banana, tomato, salt, etc.);
- Consumption of certain hypotensioactive supplements.
The most notable complications and evolutions of potassium elevation are often the development of more or less serious cardiovascular problems. This can also lead to the impairment of the muscular system and an organ of the body.
What are the symptoms of high blood potassium levels?
People with hyperkalemia (high potassium levels in the blood) may not have no visible symptoms. Nevertheless, the symptoms most encountered in this disease are :
- Arrhythmia or irregular heartbeat;
- Intense and chronic fatigue;
- Weakening of the muscles;
- Strong tingling sensations in the different limbs of the body;
- Difficulty breathing;
- Severe nausea and vomiting;
- Frequent ephemeral paralysis.
When most of these symptoms appear, it is important to call a doctor for a consultation. It should also be noted that it is possible to treat this disease with simple, well known methods.
How to treat the disease?
The prescription of specific medications allows to restore the heart rhythm, as well as the regulation of the presence of potassium in the blood. It is also possible to achieve this by adopting a well-adapted diet to revive the limbs of the body. The most common technique used to regulate high blood potassium levels is potassium in the blood is hemodialysis.
This is a very effective technique that has been used for many years in medicine. In addition, the treatments generally prescribed are: the consumption of sodium bicarbonate and calcium gluconate. Finally, insulin, but also diuretics, can also have a positive effect on the regulation of high potassium levels in the blood.
