How to remove potassium from the body. Causes and symptoms of high potassium in the blood

Potassium is one of the main electrolytes in the human body. It regulates the operation of buffer systems that prevent various negative consequences of changes in the internal environment. Together with magnesium, it controls the amount of water found in cells.

Daily requirement

Typically, an adult needs to get one to two grams of the mineral potassium per day. For a young and growing organism, this component is required in an amount of at least thirty milligrams per kilogram of body weight. Most often in winter, the level of potassium in the blood is elevated. There may be many reasons for this, but it should be noted that this mineral does not accumulate in the body, so most often this problem occurs due to improper structure of the daily diet.

The role of potassium

Copes with the regulation of acid-base balance in the blood and intercellular fluid, osmotic pressure and water-salt balance.
Helps transmit nerve impulses.
Activates certain enzymes of protein and carbohydrate metabolism.
Provides correct and accurate heart rhythm.
Synthesizes protein and then converts it into glucose glycogen.
Helps normal kidney function.
Improves intestinal motility.
Maintains optimal pressure.

Taking all this into account, it is necessary to understand what the hidden causes of high potassium in the blood are and what this condition is fraught with for the human body.

Causes

There are main factors that increase the amount of this component in the body. They are listed below:

using a diet with a high concentration of the mineral;
labor in women;
changes in the water composition of the body due to vomiting, increased sweating, constant urination and diarrhea;
extensive burns are also causes of increased potassium in the blood;
pulmonary tuberculosis;
alcoholism, its advanced stage;
high glucose level;
poisoning with ethyl alcohols;
diabetes of the first two types;
injuries;
tumor disintegration;
neuroses;
acidosis;
hormonal disorders.

Manifestation

Symptoms of high potassium in the blood depend on its content; the higher it is, the stronger the signs of the pathological condition, namely:

Muscle weakness, which is accompanied by depolarization of cells, as well as a decrease in their excitability.
Changes in the rhythm of heart contractions.
Too high a level of the mineral in the blood can cause paralysis of the respiratory muscles.
Heart failure. This is the most dangerous manifestation of hyperkalemia, as it ends in death. Therefore, it is very important to correctly and promptly recognize the causes of high potassium in the blood and eliminate them in a timely manner.
The cardiotoxic effects of the component can be observed on ECG (electrocardiography).

Potassium in children

If the amount of the element in the body is normal, then it helps restore cardiac activity, as well as remove swelling, helps regulate water balance, improves concentration and stimulates memory. If its amount is higher than normal, this important mineral becomes an enemy.

The main reasons for increased potassium in the blood of a child are:

Regular consumption of products in which this component predominates.
Dehydration of the body due to extensive sun and thermal burns. Active loss of fluid at this moment leads to an increase in the mineral in the plasma and peculiar malfunctions in the functioning of the main organs.
Renal or liver failure in the acute phase.
A disturbance in the redistribution of potassium ions, as well as its excessive release from cells. Such symptoms can occur due to a decrease in insulin or due to the breakdown of tumor cells.
Use of certain drugs or excessive administration of potassium-containing drugs.

Other reasons can be found much less frequently, for example, prolonged overexertion or stress, because of this various changes occur, and also an increase in potassium in the blood. The reasons for this phenomenon should only be determined by a doctor, and parents are obliged to consult a specialist in time so as not to harm their child.

Features of nutrition with high potassium

In order to balance the required content of the element, you need to eat properly. If a problem arises, doctors advise reducing the consumption of meat and eggs. Their deficiency can be compensated for with plant products and garden herbs.

berries, especially cranberries, apples, mangoes and grapefruits;
peaches, watermelons and ripe pears;
carrots, sweet bell peppers, cucumbers, young peas, eggplants, cauliflower and white cabbage;
salads with celery;
onion lettuce (can be added to different dishes);
pasta, bread, regular white rice (all in moderation).

Whatever the reasons for high potassium levels in the blood, you should avoid the following foods:

whole milk and products made from it;
bananas, potatoes, raisins, melons and avocados.

It is necessary to reduce the consumption of oranges, nectarines, spinach, hot peppers, tomatoes and their juice.

It should be noted that after heat treatment in mushrooms, broccoli and Brussels sprouts, the potassium content increases.

All dietary restrictions must be maintained until the condition is completely normalized. You should definitely consult your doctor about the duration of the diet. After everything in the body returns to normal, you can return to your usual diet.

Diagnostics

All chronic anomalies require adequate and timely treatment. Often the pathology is caused by abnormalities in the functioning of the kidneys, and disorders require specialist supervision and drug therapy. One of the reasons for the increase in potassium in the blood is a malfunction of the heart, so an ECG is performed to monitor the functioning of the organ.

Signs of deviation can be seen at a mineral concentration of 5.5 mmol/l; at lower parameters, symptoms may be completely absent. If a person experiences convulsions, headaches, malaise, lack of appetite, problems with urination and nausea, it is imperative to undergo a diagnostic examination.

In newborns, hyperkalemia is observed at 7.5 mmol/L due to physiological signs of their body. All excess in such children is excreted very slowly due to the fact that the kidneys are not fully formed, and the whole situation stabilizes only after ten years.

In order to detect the presence of a problem, the following research methods are used:

urinalysis, which allows you to estimate the concentration of potassium excreted at the time of urination
blood sampling, it should not exceed 5 mmol/l;
ECG, when pathology is detected, the amplitude of the “T” wave increases significantly.

Treatment

The causes of increased potassium in the blood can be dangerous diseases that require specific treatment. At the same time, the patient is prescribed mineralocorticoid therapy and a low-potassium diet.

The main procedures that help regulate the operation of all systems include the following activities:

If the patient has taken medications containing this element, they should be discontinued immediately.
To protect the heart muscle, 10% calcium gluconate is administered in a dose of 10 ml. This method solves many causes of increased potassium in the blood. Any doctor can tell what this means for the patient, since an improvement in the condition should appear within 5 minutes, and this is very fast, and last up to an hour. The doctor sees such changes in the ECG diagram. If nothing happens, the procedure is repeated.
Insulin is used together with glucose to direct potassium ions into the cells, thereby lowering its content in the plasma.
You can also administer exclusively glucose, which stimulates the production of endogenous insulin and helps lower the mineral. However, this process is quite lengthy, so it is not suitable for a quick solution to the problem.
Adrenergic stimulants and sodium bicarbonate are often used to move potassium. The last component from the list is undesirable to use in chronic renal failure, as there is low efficiency and a serious threat of overloading the body with sodium.
Thiazide and loop diuretics, as well as cation exchange resins, are excellent for removing potassium.
Hemodialysis is considered one of the most effective methods for quickly reducing severe hyperkalemia. This option is used when all methods have shown ineffectiveness and for patients with acute and chronic renal failure.

Prevention

To avoid the need to use drug therapy, various procedures and interventions in the body, it is recommended to regularly carry out preventive measures. The disease is less likely to occur if the correct diet is developed. Such a diet should contain foods that include low amounts of the mineral.

It is recommended to eat blueberries, asparagus, pineapples, carrots, grapes, blackberries, cranberries, lemon, celery, rice, pasta, milk, beets, cottage cheese, raisins, pumpkin seeds, chocolate, almonds and many other healthy ingredients. Proper nutrition is very important for a child, since such deviations can affect his physical and mental development.

Most of the potassium is found in the cells that make up any organism. A small amount of it is found in. In the intercellular space, it controls the passage of nerve impulses, monitors muscle contraction, including the heart muscle, and maintains blood pressure levels. Intracellular potassium regulates acid-base and water balance, participates in the work of nerve cells in the brain, and interacts with enzymes. If the balance of this element is not restored after taking diuretics, its deficiency can lead the body to neurosis, cause serious problems, and cause a stroke.

Natural losses of potassium in the body occur when stomach acid is released during the digestion of food. Some potassium is lost during intense sweating in the heat or during physical activity. Part is excreted through the kidneys. The largest amount of the element can be washed out when you start taking some diuretics. There are drugs that have virtually no effect on the excretion of potassium, for example, tripas, but there are those that have a significant effect on its balance in the body.

The diuretic effect of diuretics from the thiazide group (hydrochlorothiazide, furosemide) is based on the removal of sodium from the body, followed by the removal of water. But in addition to sodium, these diuretics also remove potassium. Blood pressure mediators usually have a diuretic effect at the same time, but they have a potassium-saving mechanism, so it is not recommended to take potassium preparations simultaneously with them to avoid an overdose of this element. Another nuance is related to the presence of magnesium in the body. Magnesium deficiency prevents the absorption of potassium and prevents the restoration of the balance of this element in the body.

Monitor your magnesium level, try to replenish it if necessary, then taking potassium-containing drugs will give the desired effect.

How to replenish potassium loss

If it is confirmed that the content potassium, you need to adjust your diet by increasing your consumption of foods rich in this microelement. This is, first of all, lettuce, bananas, potatoes, oranges, grapefruits, lemons. A lot of potassium also in sunflower seeds, spicy herbs (dill, parsley, mint).

In consultation with your doctor, take medications that help increase levels potassium. In this case, it is necessary to carefully monitor your well-being, and, if necessary, a control biochemical blood test, since the content potassium also and can lead to serious illnesses.

It is very important to establish the cause of the deficiency potassium V . The point is that this flaw can be caused by overexertion, disordered daily routine, poor diet, fatigue, physical and psychological, as well as more serious reasons. For example, this trace element may indicate various diseases of the liver and kidneys, dysfunction of the endocrine glands, chronic lack of glucose in the body (hypoglycemia), dropsy and many other diseases. If in the first case it is enough to adjust your diet and lead a healthy, measured lifestyle, avoiding overwork and stress, then in the second you cannot do it

The normal functioning of the human body is ensured by a sufficient content of all components necessary for life. Deviations from the norm of any of them threaten serious disruption of organ function, and in some cases even lead to death.

One of these elements is potassium - one of the two main components of water-electrolyte metabolism. Moreover, if a decrease in this element in the body is not considered a life-threatening pathology, then the condition when potassium in the blood is elevated is often defined as critical and requires immediate medical attention.

Importance of potassium for the body

The chemical element potassium (K), contained in the human body, is predominantly an intracellular component - its percentage in cells is 89%, while outside them it is only 11%. While sodium (N), an element that, along with K, participates in electrolytic metabolism, is mostly located outside the cells, which allows the creation of electrical currents on both sides of the cell membranes.

In addition to this important function, potassium maintains the water-salt balance of the body and the acid-base balance of the blood. Thanks to it, osmotic pressure and control of the production of a certain number of enzymes are carried out, which makes K an indispensable element for protein and carbohydrate metabolism. Potassium plays a major role in protein synthesis and is involved in the conversion of sugars into glycogen.

Without this element, the normal functioning of the gastrointestinal tract (gastrointestinal tract), and, in particular, the intestines, urinary (kidneys) and cardiovascular systems would be impossible. Potassium is directly involved in the functioning of nerve and muscle tissue, facilitating the transmission of neural impulses to muscle fibers.

Operating principle of the potassium-sodium pump

Why does microelement growth occur?

The main causes of increased K in the blood (hyperkalemia) can be divided into two groups - the first includes factors leading to cell breakdown with subsequent release of the element beyond the membranes. And the second is diseases of the urinary system, which reduce the ability of the kidneys to remove potassium from the body.

In addition, a slight excess of the norm can be observed during physical activity or when there is an excess of foods containing potassium in the diet. Such causes are not pathological only if the K concentration is not too high.

Hyperkalemia due to cell breakdown

Pathological conditions in which there is an increase in potassium in the blood serum include the following:

oxygen starvation of cellular structures;
burn disease, decay of neoplasms;
surgical interventions;
prolonged fasting or strict diet;
increased breakdown of glycogen or proteins;
lack of insulin with high sugar;
metabolic acidosis (accumulation of acids);
severe injuries accompanied by tissue compression;
necrotic formations caused by injury or infection;
anaphylactic shock (increased permeability of cell membranes).

Potassium is also released due to hemolysis (intracellular and intravascular). Normally, this is a continuous process, as red blood cells go through their life cycle and are destroyed, as a result of which the element enters the blood without changing the usual level of concentration. But in pathological processes of an autoimmune, infectious, inflammatory or toxic nature, hemolysis of red cells occurs much faster, which significantly increases the potassium content. Such conditions require urgent further examination and treatment.

Hyperkalemia in pathologies of the urinary system

An increased level of potassium in the blood in many cases means a violation of the functional ability of the organs of the urinary system, and specifically the kidneys. Against the background of such deviations, acute and then chronic renal failure (ARF and CRF) often develops. Such consequences pose a serious threat to the life and health of patients.

So, diseases of the urinary system, in which there is increased potassium in the blood, include:

nephritis (inflammatory process in the kidneys) - lupus or caused by drugs;
diabetic nephropathy (damage to the kidney vessels) in patients with diabetes;
decreased excretory function with decreased excretion of potassium ions;
dehydration due to excessive urine production - polyuria;
a decrease in diuresis - oliguria and its complete absence - anuria.

High potassium levels are often observed in the test results of patients undergoing treatment:

Potassium-containing drugs. Their excessive administration leads to iatrogenic hyperkalemia, which often develops in patients with chronic renal failure.
Indomethacin, Captopril, muscle relaxants and potassium-sparing diuretics.
Glycosides. In some cases, severe intoxication may develop, reducing the activity of K, N and ATP.
Blood transfusion drugs. Transfusion of old blood risks potassium poisoning.

Impaired production of aldosterone by the adrenal cortex leads to hyperkalemia

In addition, the level of K in plasma will increase with certain types of anemia (decreased number of red blood cells), hormonal changes in the activity of the adrenal cortex, such as Addison's disease. Familial periodic paralysis, a rather rare genetically determined disease, can also increase potassium. With it, an increase in K is observed exclusively during periods of attacks, although this is not necessary. The rest of the time, this indicator may be within normal limits or even lower.

Important! Signs of elevated potassium levels include muscle weakness and paralysis, which can occur during intense physical activity or other circumstances leading to fluid and electrolyte imbalance.

It should be noted that the reasons for women and men leading to an increase in K may differ from factors characteristic of the child. Such changes in potassium levels are often caused by uneven growth of the child’s body and have the following normal values:

infants 1 week of life – 3.7–5.9 mmol/l;
infants and children 3 years old – 4.1–5.3 mmol/l;
children from 3 to 14 years old – 3.4–4.7 mmol/l.

Whereas for adolescents and adults, 3.5–5.1 mmol/l is considered normal values. At the same time, we should not forget about the influence on this indicator of concomitant and chronic diseases, which can significantly aggravate the patient’s condition.

Main manifestations of hyperkalemia

Symptoms of excess K in the body directly depend on the amount of its content - that is, the higher it is than normal, the more pronounced the signs of the patient’s pathological condition. The main manifestations of hyperkalemia are:

muscle weakness, caused by depolarization of cells and deterioration of their excitability;
fatigue, apathy, lethargy, loss of appetite, drowsiness, lethargy, numbness of the limbs;
disturbance of cardiac activity, expressed in an increase in the rhythm of myocardial contractions;
too high a K level can lead to paralysis of the respiratory muscles;
impaired consciousness, sudden jumps in blood pressure (blood pressure), tachycardia, feeling of lack of air, shortness of breath.

The cardiotoxic effects of K are clearly visible on the electrocardiogram (ECG). During the recording, an increase in the PQ interval and a widening of the QRS are immediately detected, the P wave is not recorded and AV conduction slows down. Due to its width, the QRS complex merges with the T-wave, causing the curve to resemble a sinusoid.

Such changes are associated with asystole and ventricular fibrillation. It is worth noting that even with K values above and below normal, it is not possible to track a clear correlation with deviations in the electrocardiogram. This means that the ECG does not make it possible to fully assess the degree of the cardiotoxic effect of potassium.

ECG changes with increased plasma potassium

Memo to parents! The first symptoms of hyperkalemia in a child are moodiness, irritability, tearfulness, nausea and loss of appetite, the smell of acetone on the breath and decreased attention.

In the course of medical practice, characteristic symptom complexes are identified for intervals corresponding to certain values. Thus, if the concentration of K exceeds 7 mmol/l, the patient’s condition requires urgent hospitalization, as it is often detected in acute emergency situations of the patient.

Initially, the manifestations do not have a clearly defined picture - it may be weakness, drowsiness, fatigue. Elderly patients mistake these symptoms for increased blood pressure and are in no hurry to seek qualified help, which is why such a conclusion is dangerous. At the next stage, the person is practically unable to move independently, and numbness is felt in the arms and legs. He is inhibited, disoriented, and there is a decreased response to external pain (prick, tingling).

Mental activity becomes depressed. At values of 8 mmol/l, consciousness is impaired, cardiac activity changes - tachycardia develops and sharp fluctuations in blood pressure are noted. The heart rate can rise to 250 beats, with asystole and fibrillation observed, which can cause coma or death. A plasma potassium level of 10 mmol/l is assessed as critical for the human body. In 85% of cases with such values, death occurs from cardiac arrest.

Diagnostic methods

Before prescribing treatment to a patient with symptoms of hyperkalemia, a comprehensive examination is carried out to find out why this ratio has increased. Even if, for example, a biochemical blood test reveals that the indicator is too high, all the necessary diagnostic methods will still be carried out. The same applies to an ECG recording with signs of hyperkalemia.

The first step is to donate blood again, as sometimes the results can be false. This occurs when the biomaterial collection technique is incorrect (prolonged application of a tourniquet or untimely examination of a blood sample). Then the concentration of K in the urine is determined. If there are signs of diseases of the urinary system, then the values can reach or even exceed 30 mmol/l.

An ECG is performed or another film is taken again to confirm suspected changes in heart rhythm. If K is significantly higher than normal - more than 7 mmol/l, a rapid test is performed, which allows you to see a more complete picture of the patient’s condition. It is used to estimate the amount of cations in the serum, including ionized calcium.

Additionally, the doctor may prescribe a blood test for calcitonin, a thyroid hormone that controls calcium metabolism. This is sometimes necessary to make a primary diagnosis and helps to track changes in electrolytic as well as water-salt metabolism. Only passing all the necessary examinations will ensure an accurate diagnosis and the development of effective therapeutic tactics.

Treatment

The pathology indicated by an increase in plasma K can only be detected by a specialist. If the concentration of this element significantly exceeds the norm, the patient is immediately hospitalized in a hospital. With pronounced symptoms of hyperkalemia, with parallel renal dysfunction, the doctor may prescribe peritoneal dialysis (through the peritoneum) or hemodialysis.

If the values are too high and there is no time to purify the blood, phlebotomy (bloodletting) is performed to reduce the volume of circulating blood. In order to reduce the rate of metabolic reactions, anabolic drugs are additionally administered. For non-critical indicators (up to 6 mmol/l) while maintaining normal functioning of the liver and kidneys, therapy is prescribed to increase diuresis.

In order to return potassium back to the cells and thereby lower its level in the plasma, injections of insulin with glucose are performed. At the same time, droppers with calcium chloride are placed, which increases blood volume. Since with hyperkalemia there is an imbalance of water-salt balance, it is necessary to adjust food and drink so that the amount of salt in the body is minimal. To do this, you should exclude foods high in potassium from your diet.

In addition, with mild hyperkalemia, you can use folk remedies to reduce the concentration of the element. These include drinking green tea and chamomile decoction, which increases diuresis and improves the excretion of potassium from the body. Even with low hyperkalemia, which allows treatment at home, monitoring potassium levels is mandatory. Otherwise, there is a danger of its growth, which can lead to the development of complications.

A deficiency or excess of certain vitamins or minerals in the human body can cause the development of various diseases. For example, the daily norm of potassium in the blood of an adult is from 3.5 to 5.5 mmol/l. If this indicator is too high, this indicates the development of hyperkalemia in a person. Therefore, today we will look at the questions about why potassium in the blood is elevated and what to do about it.

High potassium in the blood: causes

After a biochemical blood test, doctors tell many people that their potassium in the blood is elevated. The causes of this disease, as a rule, cannot be due to increased consumption of foods with potassium through the digestive tract. Since, with proper kidney function, this microelement is eliminated from the body quite quickly.

Therefore, if you have high potassium in the blood, the main reasons lie in the breakdown of proteins, during which potassium is released from the cells, as well as in a decrease in potassium excretion by the kidneys due to various types of renal pathology.

Another reason for the increased potassium content in the blood is the uncontrolled administration of potassium salts intravenously by doctors, and self-administration of drugs with potassium. Also, potassium in the blood is often higher than normal in people who are on a diet high in this microelement.

So, if potassium in the blood of a child or adult is elevated, the reasons for the development of this disease may be the following:

Renal, adrenal insufficiency and other kidney diseases;
Pronounced catabolic processes (intracellular and intravascular hemolysis, protein breakdown, tissue reproduction);
Chronic uremia;
Acute dehydration;
Various injuries, severe burns, frostbite, surgical operations;
Taking potassium-sparing drugs (Triamterene, Spironoloctone);
Stress, depression, overexertion;
Oxygen starvation of tissues;
Hormonal disorders;
Anuria, oliguria, acidosis, rhabdomyolysis, low plasma insulin and other diseases during which potassium leaves the cells and increases its content in the intracellular fluid;
Diabetic coma.

As you can see, if potassium is elevated, there can be only two reasons: slow removal of this microelement from the body due to impaired kidney function and increased transfer of potassium from the intracellular space to the extracellular space.

Increased potassium in the blood: symptoms

The beneficial properties of potassium mainly have a positive effect on the functioning of the heart and muscle tissue. Therefore, with the development of hyperkalemia, the main symptoms, of course, are associated with the deterioration of the functioning of these organs.

An increase in potassium levels in the blood in children and adults is accompanied by the following symptoms:

Development of arrhythmia. This symptom indicates that potassium in the blood is higher than normal, as impulse generation is impaired;
Muscle weakness, impaired sensitivity and motor function;
The appearance of premature heart contractions;
Depression of the respiratory center. As a result - a violation of the frequency of respiratory movements, the development of hypercapnia;
Blood pressure disorders.

If your blood test shows elevated potassium, this will also affect the nervous system. A person whose blood potassium is elevated and higher than normal often feels the appearance of “goosebumps” on the body and becomes more restless.

It is especially important to monitor whether the child’s blood potassium is elevated. Since increased potassium in the blood in children may indicate the development of diabetes mellitus and kidney damage. Increased tearfulness, excitability, and the smell of acetone from orth are the main symptoms that potassium in the blood is higher than normal in children.

Note that increased potassium in the blood of a child or adult by several times can cause paralysis of the respiratory muscles and disruption of conduction along the nerve fibers of the heart. This can cause the heart muscle to stop.

If you do not have the above symptoms, but the analysis shows a high content of potassium in the blood, then you should take the test again, and also seek qualified help from a doctor. Sometimes, squeezing blood vessels with your hand or storing blood for a long time in the laboratory can erroneously show elevated potassium in a blood test.

Treatment of hyperkalemia

If you have high potassium levels in your blood, treatment should begin immediately and only under the supervision of a qualified healthcare professional. First you need to conduct an accurate and complete diagnosis. To do this, you need to take a blood and urine test for potassium, determine the content of aldosterone and renin in the blood serum. It is also important to do an ECG. Since if potassium in the blood is increased, the electrocardiogram changes significantly. The P-R and QRS intervals become longer and a pointed T wave appears.

Treatment of hyperkalemia is carried out using several methods:

Cancellation or reduction of dosage of drugs, supplements, vitamin complexes containing potassium;
Intravenous administration of drugs that reduce the amount of potassium in the body. These can be preparations with calcium, a special resin. It is not absorbed in the digestive system, absorbing potassium, it removes it through the stomach;
In some cases, injections of glucose and insulin are prescribed to help move potassium into the cells;
Bleeding. Most often prescribed for chronic uremia;
Hemodialysis is used for renal failure, since the kidneys cannot cope with their main function. Hemodialysis is a method of treating high levels of potassium in the blood, which is the artificial removal of waste products from the blood;
Taking diuretics, diuretics. This is a fairly effective method of treating high potassium levels in the blood. The drugs are taken orally or intravenously.

If you have high blood potassium, diet is another method of treating hyperkalemia. It is important to limit the intake of potassium salts from food through the digestive tract. Therefore, you should change your diet, exclude from it legumes, dark chocolate, spinach, cabbage, fillets of marine fish, banana, kiwi, melon, grapes and citrus fruits. The maximum daily dose of potassium for hyperkalemia should be no more than 2 grams.

Very varied. It contains many substances responsible for carrying out certain processes in the body. It is very important to maintain a constant ionic composition of the blood. After all, only in this state can cellular reactions proceed correctly. A special role among ions belongs to potassium. The trace element ensures the normal functioning of the heart. It is involved in biochemical processes in the brain and certain organs of the digestive tract. All these systems can fail if there is increased potassium in the blood. The reasons for this condition require detailed study.

The role of potassium for the body

This microelement contained in cells is responsible for many processes occurring in the body. It regulates water balance and normalizes heart rate. In addition, potassium affects the functioning of most cells, especially muscle and nerve cells.

This trace element stimulates mental clarity, helps the body get rid of toxins and waste, and improves oxygenation of the brain. The effects of potassium are similar to those of immunomodulators. The trace element effectively helps fight allergies and helps lower blood pressure.

Thus, the role of potassium for the body is as follows:

Regulation of acid-base balance in the blood, water balance of cellular and intercellular fluid, water-salt balance,
Transmission of nerve impulses.
Activation of certain enzymes, carbohydrate and protein metabolism.
Ensuring normal heart rhythm.
Protein synthesis, conversion of glucose into glycogen.
Ensuring the normalization of kidney function (excretory function).
Improvement of intestinal activity.
Support of normal pressure.

Considering all this, it is very important to understand what the hidden reasons for this phenomenon are if high potassium in the blood is diagnosed. But before we understand the sources of pathology, we should touch on another important issue.

Why is an elevated level dangerous?

taking potassium with food;
its distribution in the body;
microelement output.

There is no “depot” for potassium in the human body. Therefore, any deviation from the required level can provoke a variety of violations. Let's figure out why potassium in the blood is high or low, and what its normal level is.

Initially, we will consider what microelement content is considered acceptable.

Both a deficiency and an excess of potassium are dangerous for humans. Potassium in the blood is increased if the analysis shows the content of the microelement in the plasma exceeding 5.5. In this case, the patient is diagnosed with hyperkalemia.

Depending on the amount of “extra” potassium, the patient may develop:

Paralysis of muscle tissue. The condition may be temporary. It is accompanied by general weakness.
Heart rhythm disturbances. The patient may experience ventricular paroxysmal tachycardia and other equally unpleasant conditions. Some of them can even lead to death.
Impaired respiratory function, even to the point of stopping.

False reasons for promotion

So, why might there be elevated potassium in the blood? The reasons for this condition can be true or false. We'll talk about the first ones later. Now let’s look at what factors can show false hyperkalemia. All of them are associated with impaired blood sampling technique.

The analysis may show increased potassium levels if:

the shoulder was compressed with a tourniquet for a long time (more than 2-3 minutes);
biological material was stored incorrectly;
blood sampling occurred after potassium preparations were introduced into the body;
a vein was injured during the analysis;
The patient has an increased level of leukocytes and platelets.

If the doctor doubts the results of the study, the patient is recommended to take a repeat test.

Main reasons

Now let's move on to the true sources of increased potassium levels in the blood. The reasons may lie in the influence of external factors or be a consequence of internal pathologies.

Often the sources of hyperkalemia are:

Excessive abuse of foods containing large amounts of potassium. Foods such as nuts, cauliflower, dried fruits, mushrooms, molasses, bananas help increase the microelement in the blood plasma. However, a pathological condition can develop only if the patient has impaired renal function, in particular excretory function.
Significant release of potassium from cells. Such a redistribution of ions can be dictated by various disorders in the body. Most often, such symptoms manifest themselves with low insulin levels, increased glucose concentrations, and acidosis (acidification of the intercellular fluid). Failure of metabolic processes, in which potassium increases in the intercellular fluid, can be observed during the disintegration of tumor formations, extensive burns, and massive damage to muscle fibers.
Low urinary excretion. The main reason for this condition is kidney pathology, in which insufficiency of excretory function is diagnosed. This unpleasant phenomenon may be caused by some other diseases. Often, hyperkalemia occurs against the background of adrenal insufficiency, systemic diseases (such as lupus erythematosus, amyloidosis).

Medicinal reasons

There is another source, as a result of which doctors say that potassium in the blood is increased. The causes of this condition may be hidden in the use of certain medications. You should know that some medications often lead to quite unpleasant symptoms.

Hyperkalemia can be caused by:

NSAIDs.
Potassium-sparing diuretics: Triamterene, Spironoloctone.
Substances with a high concentration of cations. These are a variety of herbal mixtures from nettles, milkweed, and dandelions.
Medicines that can interfere with the transport of potassium across the cell membrane. Such drugs are beta blockers, the drug Mannitol.
Drugs that reduce aldosterone secretion. These are antifungal medications, ACE blockers, and the drug Heparin.

Characteristic symptoms

Only a doctor can correctly determine the causes of high potassium. But the patient himself must pay attention to the clues that the body uses to signal a problem.

With hyperkalemia, the patient experiences the following symptoms:

hyperactivity, increased irritability, excitability, anxiety, profuse sweating;
degenerative muscular-nervous disorders, muscle weakness manifests itself;
arrhythmia occurs;
paralysis of muscle tissue is observed;
intestinal function is disrupted, the patient suffers from colic;
urination disorder appears (we are talking about an increase in the process).

Diagnostic methods

High levels of potassium in the blood can only be detected through laboratory tests.

To make a diagnosis, patients are prescribed the following tests:

Blood donation. The norm is a content of 3.5-5.5 mmol/l. In the presence of pathology, the cation content is increased.
Analysis of urine. Allows you to diagnose the concentration of potassium excreted from the body.
ECG. Pathology is indicated by an increased amplitude of the T wave and an elongated ventricular complex.

Treatment of pathology

Remember, this is a fairly serious condition if the patient has elevated potassium in the blood. Only a specialist can adequately interpret the causes and treatment of the disease.

In addition, severe hyperkalemia can lead, as mentioned above, to dangerous conditions for a person: respiratory or cardiac arrest. That is why treatment begins as soon as the patient is diagnosed.

Therapy includes the following activities:

Intravenous administration of potassium antagonists. Strictly monitoring cardiac activity, the doctor prescribes Calcium Gluconate.
Redistribution of the cation inside the cells. As a result, its concentration in the blood decreases. For such purposes, drugs are administered intravenously: “Insulin” and “Glucose”.
Ensuring normal excretion of potassium from the body in the urine. Thiazide diuretics, such as the drug Furosemide, are recommended.
Dialysis. The blood is purified using a special device. Such an event is prescribed for severe cases of the disease.
Laxatives, ion exchange resins. These drugs are aimed at retaining the cation in the intestines and removing it with feces.
Betta mimetics. The drug "Salbutamol" stimulates the movement of potassium into cells.

However, remember: it is important to establish the true causes of this condition if high potassium in the blood is diagnosed. After all, it is necessary to fight the underlying disease, and not its symptoms. If the disease is caused by taking medications, the doctor will reduce the dosage or completely discontinue the drug that caused the pathology. In addition, patients are recommended to follow a diet that involves excluding foods containing a high concentration of the cation.