Hypokalemia And Hyperkalemia-Major Signs And Causes

Hypokalemia And Hyperkalemia

Hypokalemia and hyperkalemia are common electrolyte disorders caused by changes in potassium intake, altered excretion, or transcellular shifts. Diuretic use and gastrointestinal losses are common causes of hypokalemia, whereas kidney disease, hyperglycemia, and medication use are common causes of hyperkalemia.

Potassium helps carry electrical signals to and from cells in your body. It is critical to the proper functioning of nerve and muscle cells, particularly heart muscle cells. But in hypokalemia, the level of potassium in the blood is too low. A low potassium level has many causes but usually results from vomiting, diarrhea, adrenal gland disorders, or the use of diuretics. A low potassium level can make muscles feel weak, cramp, twitch or even become paralyzed, and abnormal heart rhythms may develop.

If your blood has too much potassium, it leads to a condition known as hyperkalemia. Advanced kidney disease is a common cause of hyperkalemia. Eating too much food that is high in potassium can also cause hyperkalemia. Your blood potassium level is normally 3.6 to 5.2 millimoles per liter (mmol/L). Having a blood potassium level higher than 6.0 mmol/L can be dangerous and usually requires immediate treatment.

Signs And Symptoms Of Hypokalemia And Hyperkalemia

The symptoms of low potassium levels or hypokalemia include:

• Muscle twitches.
• Muscle cramps or weakness.
• Muscles that will not move (paralysis).
• Abnormal heart rhythms.
• Kidney problems.

The symptoms of hyperkalemia or high potassium level are:

• Abdominal pain and diarrhea.
• Chest pain.
• Heart palpitations or arrhythmia (irregular, fast, or fluttering heartbeat).
• Muscle weakness or numbness in limbs.
• Nausea and vomiting.

Causes Of Hypokalemia And Hyperkalemia

Causes of hypokalemia include:

• Excessive alcohol use .
• Chronic kidney disease.
• Diabetic ketoacidosis.
• Diarrhea.
• Diuretics (water retention relievers).
• Excessive laxative use.
• Excessive sweating.
• Folic acid deficiency.

Causes of hyperkalemia include:

Advanced kidney disease is a common cause of hyperkalemia. Other causes of high potassium include:

• Dehydration.
• Some medicines prevent the kidneys from losing enough potassium.
• A diet high in potassium.
• Uncontrolled diabetes.
• Burns or injuries that cause severe bleeding.
• Some rare diseases.

Treatment For Hypokalemia

The type of treatment for potassium deficiency will depend on a person’s symptoms and how low their potassium levels have become. For people with mild hypokalemia, the following remedies are effective:

• Stopping or reducing the dosages of any medicines that can cause low potassium.
• Take daily potassium supplements.
• Eating more foods rich in potassium, such as fruits and vegetables.
• Taking medications that can increase potassium levels in the body, such as angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors or angiotensin receptor blockers.

People with severe hypokalemia require immediate treatment, and a doctor may recommend intravenous potassium.

How To Prevent Hypokalemia And Hyperkalemia

If you’ve had hyperkalemia or are at risk for it, a low-potassium diet is the best way to protect your health. You may need to cut back on, or completely cut out, certain high-potassium foods, such as:

High-potassium Foods

Following are some of the food items that are high in potassium:

Fruits

• Bananas, Melons, Oranges, Nectarines, Kiwi, Mango, Papaya, Prunes, Pomegranate.
• Dates, Dried fruits, Dried figs.

Vegetables

• Avocados, broccoli, Brussel sprouts, sweet potatoes, parsnips, pumpkin, vegetable juices, white potatoes, winter squash.
• Tomato and tomato-based products.
• Deep-colored and leafy green vegetables (such as spinach or swiss chard).
• Dried beans and peas, black beans, refried beans, baked beans, lentils, legumes.

Other food items

• Milk, yogurt. .
• Nuts and seeds.
• Bran and bran products.
• Chocolate, granola, molasses, peanut butter.
• Salt substitutes.

Eating more foods rich in potassium, such as fruits and vegetables, helps prevent hypokalemia.

Some Lower-potassium Foods

Below mentioned are some of the foods that contain low potassium:

Fruits

• Apple, blueberries, cranberries, grapes, grapefruit, pears, pineapple, raspberries, strawberries .

Vegetables

• Asparagus, cabbage, carrots, celery, corn, cucumber, eggplant, green or wax beans, green peas or beans, lettuce ,onions, radishes, turnips, water chestnuts.

Others

• Rice, noodles, pasta, bread, and bread products (not whole grains).
• Angel cake, yellow cake, pies without chocolate or high-potassium fruit, cookies without nuts or chocolate.

Tips To Maintain The Potassium Level In The Blood

• Eat a variety of foods, but in moderation. Most foods have some potassium. Serving size and food preparation are important.
• Drain canned fruits, vegetables, and meats carefully before serving. Do not drink or use the liquid.
• If you want to include some high-potassium vegetables in your diet, eat smaller portions or leach them before using them.
• If you are on dialysis, do not skip or shorten your dialysis treatments.

Home Remedies For Hyperkalemia

Some of the home remedies are:

• Eliminate suspected food allergens, such as dairy (milk, cheese, and ice cream), wheat (gluten), soy, corn, preservatives, and chemical food additives. .
• Avoid foods that contain high amounts of potassium, including bananas, lentils, nuts, peaches, potatoes, salmon, tomatoes, and watermelon.
• Avoid refined foods, such as white bread, pasta, and sugar.
• Eat fewer red meats and more lean meats, cold-water fish, or beans for protein. Limit the intake of processed meats, such as fast foods and lunch meats.
• Use healthy cooking oils, such as olive oil or coconut oil.
• Reduce or eliminate trans-fatty acids found in commercially baked goods, such as cookies, crackers, cakes, French fries, onion rings, donuts, processed foods, and margarine.
• Avoid alcohol and tobacco. .
• Drink more water. Dehydration can make hyperkalemia worse.
• Exercise, if possible, for 30 minutes daily, five days a week. That will give you great benefits. .
• Avoid noni (Morinda citrifolia ) juice, which is high in potassium.
• Avoid herbs that can increase potassium levels. Below are a few of the most common potassium-containing herbs:

• Alfalfa (Medicago sativa ).
• Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale ).
• Horsetail (Equisetum arvense ).
• Nettle (Urtica dioca ).

Potassium is a chemical that is important to the function of nerve and muscle cells, including those in your heart. Your blood potassium level is normally 3.6 to 5.2 millimoles per liter (mmol/L). In hypokalemia, the level of potassium in the blood is too low. A low potassium level has many causes but usually results from vomiting, diarrhea, adrenal gland disorders, or the use of diuretics. Hyperkalemia is the medical term that describes a potassium level in your blood that's higher than normal. 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.

Conclusion

The above-mentioned information related to Hypokalemia and Hyperkalemia is taken from various resources. Always take the advice of your doctor before self-medication.