High potassium, also known as hyperkalemia, occurs when too much potassium is in the bloodstream. About 98 percent of potassium is found within organs and cells, with only a small amount in the bloodstream. Because hyperkalemia can be life threatening, immediate medical attention is needed.
The Problem of High Potassium
The human body needs potassium for cell metabolism, digestion and proper functioning of the heart, kidneys and muscles. Sufficient amounts of potassium can be found in foods such as bananas, orange juice, fish, beans, baked potatoes and dairy products. Usually excess amounts of potassium are flushed out of the body through elimination. However, when this fails to occur, potassium levels can accumulate, resulting in heart problems, muscle paralysis and even death.
Causes of High Potassium Levels
- Impaired kidney function – Faulty kidney functioning, due to kidney failure, is the most common reason for high potassium.
- Medications - Medications, such as potassium sparing diuretics, can affect kidney function, causing high potassium levels. Also, medications such as antiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors can cause high potassium.
- Potassium supplements - Over consumption of potassium supplements can be a reason. Alcoholism or heavy drug use can lead to high potassium because of muscle fibers breaking down, causing potassium to be released into the bloodstream.
- Hormone deficiencies - Hormone deficiencies such as adrenal failure (Addison’s disease) can be another cause of high potassium.
Although a high potassium condition usually doesn’t have symptoms, sometimes people experience nausea, irregular heartbeat or a weak, slow or absent pulse. Fatigue, diarrhea, confusion and tingling sensations are sometimes signs of a high potassium problem. If the disorder has advanced heart palpitations or muscle paralysis may occur. Because hyperkalemia rarely causes symptoms, it’s usually discovered during routine blood tests or electrocardiograms (EKGs). Further findings discovered from a medical examination may include a slow or irregular heartbeat, poor reflexes, restlessness and slurred speech. Severe causes may involve numbness, as well as respiratory or cardiac arrest.
Treatment for High Potassium Levels
Treating hyperkalemia depends on the cause and symptoms of the condition. When it’s caused by a drug complication, the problem will generally be treated by eliminating the wrong drug. However, usually people undergo intravenous drug therapy such as sodium bicarbonate, calcium salts, insulin, sodium polystyrene sulfonate and diuretics. If there’s not improvement hemodialysis may be needed. Once patients are stabilized they’re cautioned to watch their consumption of foods rich in potassium.
Nutritional Tips for Lowering Potassium Levels
- Avoid potassium rich foods – Eliminate foods rich in potassium, such as bananas, nuts, peaches, lentils, salmon, tomatoes, watermelon and potatoes, as well as refined foods made with white flour and sugar.
- Cut back on red meats – While lowering your consumption of red means, eat more fish and lean meats or beans.
- Keep hydrated – Drink at least six eight-ounces glasses of water daily.
- Use healthy cooking oils - Use cooking oils such as olive or vegetable oils. Eliminate food allergens such as daily products, wheat, corn, soy, preservatives and chemical food additives.
- Avoid certain herbs - Some herbs can increase potassium levels so you should avoid them. They include alfalfa, horsetail, nettle and dandelion. Noni, also known as Morinda citrifolia) juice is also high in potassium and should be avoided.
When trying to reverse the problem of high potassium levels, don’t go to the other extreme, lowering your potassium levels so low your health is endangered. Low potassium (hypokalemia) can be just as dangerous as high potassium. To be safe, you should be monitored regularly by having regular blood tests so your potassium levels are at a healthy balance.
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