Excess Potassium in the Blood

Balance is the key to living an abundant life. It is when this balance tips that various problems begins to arise. Our human body requires various essential nutrients for its functioning, however, the need is of limited nature. If the supply drops or increases, the body will face problems. Same is the case with the mineral nutrient potassium in the blood, wherein excess potassium in the blood results in various problems.

Excess Potassium in the Blood

Potassium is a water-soluble nutrient, which is why it's concentration in the body is controlled by the kidneys. 98% of potassium is normally found in the cells, with about only 2% floating around in the blood stream. This balance of potassium between the cells and surrounding bloodstream is crucial because it affects the way cell membranes work, regulates function of the heart and pathways between muscles and brains. If after consuming high potassium diet, the potassium level in the body rises, it is flushed out of the body via the kidneys. However, at times the kidneys fail to function correctly and conduce to excess potassium in the blood. This excess of serum potassium is called hyperkalemia and can prove fatal.

Causes

Excess potassium in the body or the condition of hyperkalemia can be caused by different factors such as:

• Problems in normal kidney functioning
• Consuming high potassium diet
• Adrenal gland disease
• Insulin deficiency
• Addison's disease
• Overdose of potassium supplements
• Intake of medications like beta blocker drugs, diuretic medication, etc.
• Burns and other tissue trauma that causes cells to release potassium
• Tumors, surgery or disorders that cause cells to burst.
• Excess acid in the blood (seen in people with diabetes)

Symptoms

Mostly the symptoms of hyperkalemia are non-existent, which is why it is difficult to identify the condition in the initial stages. The symptoms that can be seen sometimes are as follows:

• Stomach cramps
• Nausea
• Muscle weakness
• Shortness of breath
• Diarrhea
• Fatigue
• Weakening of heartbeat
• Palpitation
• Tingling sensation in extremities
• Numbness
• Convulsion
• Seizures

The above mentioned symptoms were the primary ones. Besides these symptoms, there are some chronic symptoms such as kidney, circulatory and digestive system malfunction that occur if proper treatment is not carried out. It may also result in cardiac arrhythmia, which may end in cardiac arrest.

Treatment

If the level of potassium in the body is extremely high, severe symptoms would have emerged. In such acute cases, the treatment goal would be to protect the body from the harmful effects of hyperkalemia. During the course of treatment dialysis may be carried out to reduce the level of potassium in the body. Sodium bicarbonate is given to reverse hyperkalemia caused by acidosis. Intravenous insulin and glucose are given to correct hyperkalemia. Since cardiac arrest can occur during the treatment, close monitoring of the patient is required. Long term treatment would involve limiting of potassium in the diet and also stopping intake of potassium supplements. Some respond very well to the treatment, while in some, the number of complications are many.

Hyperkalemia involves reduction of dietary potassium intake by avoiding foods containing potassium. The saddest part about hyperkalemia is that the symptoms are so subtle that they go unnoticed, till the condition aggravates and becomes fatal. In cases of capital punishment, hyperkalemia is intentionally brought about for execution by lethal injection, wherein potassium chloride is the last of the three drugs injected to conduce to death.