What Is Hyperkalemia And How Can You Treat It?

Hyperkalemia occurs when the level of potassium in the blood changes. These levels usually rise. However, we can also call it hyperkalemia if the levels are lower than normal. Hyperkalemia occurs when levels exceed 5.5 mmol/L.

What is potassium? Why do we need it?

We need potassium so that the electrolytes that affect blood pressure can function normally. First of all, potassium is a chemical element, represented by the letter ‘K’ in the periodic table. It is a macro-mineral with important functions, both at the muscle level and for the nervous system.

It is a macro mineral and an electrolyte, just like calcium or chloride. These electrolytes help to balance the pressure and concentration of substances inside and outside the cells. The main functions of potassium include:

• Skeletal development.
• Balancing osmosis levels.
• Intervene in protein synthesis.
• It is essential for nerve transmission.
• Helps muscle contraction.

What Causes Hyperkalemia?

In general, it occurs when the kidneys remove less potassium than they should. Abnormal potassium movement outside of cells can also be a common cause. There are many reasons that contribute to the development of hyperkalemia. These include:

• Increased potassium intake.
• Taking certain drugs that have a side effect of the kidney removing potassium.
• Acute renal failure.
• Chronic reduction in kidney function.

Another cause is the presence of metabolic acidosis. Patients suffering from diabetic ketoacidosis have this symptom. On the other hand, pseudohyperkalemia is the artificial increase in potassium that can also cause hyperkalemia.

The first is caused by overuse of an elastic band (tourniquet) or balancing your fist for too long when taking blood. Thrombocytosis can also cause pseudohyperkalemia because potassium platelets are released during coagulation.

Symptoms

Most cases of hyperkalemia go undetected, meaning there are usually no symptoms when potassium levels change. It can only be detected through tests.

However, if symptoms do occur, it will depend on the severity of hyperkalemia and how quickly it develops. Normally the first symptoms are:

• muscle weakness.
• Tremors in the arms or legs.
• A tingling feeling.
• Feeling of pins and needles in the fingers and toes.

In addition, these symptoms are usually accompanied by insomnia, nausea, vomiting and decreased heart activity. In the most severe cases, the patient may suffer from cardiac arrhythmias.

This is because the heart needs potassium to contract and develop its functions properly. Arrhythmia is a heart rate disorder that affects the frequency, intensity, and regularity of nerve impulses.

How is it diagnosed?

The main complication of hyperkalemia is changes in the cardiac cycle. This condition can be diagnosed by measuring the serum concentration of electrolytes indicated as a control. This test is performed when the patient is undergoing an electrocardiogram and the results show variations.

Patients with renal failure, advanced heart failure, urinary obstruction or patients being treated with angiotensin inhibitors (ACE inhibitors) usually have abnormal electrocardiogram results. Therefore, in order to make the diagnosis correctly, the following tests should be performed:

• Potassium Measurement
• EKG
• Medication Review
• Evaluation of renal function

How do you treat it?

The reason we treat it is mainly to lower the potassium level in the blood. In addition, we also treat the root cause of hyperkalaemia, such as interrupting the administration of hyperkalaemic drugs.

In cases where the elevated potassium levels are moderate, administering certain medications, such as antagonists, should help lower the levels. As a result, your doctor may also prescribe diuretics or dialysis.

If hyperkalemia values ​​​​are higher than 6.5 mmol / L without changes in the electrocardiogram, then salbutamol or sodium bicarbonate are two drugs that effectively improve the situation.

Finally, when potassium levels are also above 6.5 mmol/L, but with changes in the electrocardiogram, the first thing to do is protect the heart. Taking calcium chloride can help reduce kaleemia (levels of potassium in the blood).

Despite all the information previously provided, do not hesitate to consult your doctor if you have any signs of this disease. A specialist will recommend the best treatment for you.