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This site complies with the HONcode standard for trustworthy health information: verify here. This content does not have an English version. This content does not have an Arabic version. See more conditions. Request Appointment. Symptoms High potassium hyperkalemia. Definition Causes When to see a doctor. Acute hyperkalemia is more urgent and dangerous than chronic hyperkalemia and requires rapid treatment, such as dialysis.
Some groups of people are more likely to experience hyperkalemia. Being older or male increases the risk of hyperkalemia. Having kidney disease, hypertension , diabetes, heart disease , or having had a heart attack in the past also increase the risk of developing hyperkalemia. Talking with a doctor is the first step to preventing hyperkalemia and finding effective treatment.
Chronic kidney disease is a progressive loss of kidney function. Often the symptoms are not noticeable until the disease is at kidney failure, so it…. People with chronic kidney disease need to avoid eating potassium-rich foods. Damaged kidneys cannot process potassium properly, which can then build…. Heart disease is a major cause of death. In this article, learn about the different types, how to recognize the symptoms, and what treatment to expect.
Dark-colored urine and thirst are classic signs that someone is dehydrated. The simple solution is to drink more. But when dehydration occurs in the…. Any problems with your potassium levels will show up on these tests. This is because you may not be aware you have high potassium levels until you start developing symptoms.
The typical goal of treatment for high potassium levels is to help your body get rid of the excess potassium quickly and to stabilize your heart. If you have high potassium due to kidney failure, hemodialysis is your best treatment option. Hemodialysis uses a machine to remove waste from your blood, including excess potassium, when your kidneys cannot filter your blood effectively. Your doctor may also prescribe drugs to treat your high potassium levels. These may include:.
Calcium gluconate: Calcium gluconate can help reduce the effect that potassium has on your heart until high potassium levels are stabilized. Diuretics: Your doctor might also prescribe diuretics , which are pills that cause you to urinate more. Some diuretics increase the amount of potassium excreted by the kidneys while other diuretics do not increase potassium excretion.
Depending on your potassium level, your doctor might recommend one or more of the following types of diuretics:. Resin: In some cases, you may be given a medication called a resin to take by mouth. Resin binds with potassium, allowing it to be removed from your body during your bowel movements.
If your high potassium is severe, you must get treatment right away. But if you have mild high potassium, you may be able to help reduce your potassium levels at home. One of the easiest ways to lower your potassium levels naturally is to reduce the amount of potassium in your diet.
This means limiting foods and supplements that are high in potassium. Many people with high potassium have few, if any, symptoms. If symptoms do appear, they are usually mild and non-specific. You may feel some muscle weakness, numbness, tingling, nausea, or other unusual feelings. High potassium usually develops slowly over many weeks or months, and is most often mild.
It can recur. For most people, the level of potassium in your blood should be between 3. If high potassium happens suddenly and you have very high levels, you may feel heart palpitations, shortness of breath, chest pain, nausea, or vomiting. This is a life-threatening condition that requires immediate medical care. If you have these symptoms, call or go to the emergency room.
If you have high potassium — or are at risk for getting it — speak to your doctor about the various options you have to manage your potassium levels.
To help keep your potassium levels within normal range, your doctor may recommend the following:.
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