Potassium Excess – Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment

When there is an excess of potassium, known as hyperkalaemia in technical terms, the potassium level in the blood is increased. Various causes can be responsible for this. Symptoms usually only appear when the potassium excess is massive. If this is not the case, hyperkalemia may well be an incidental finding in the context of an extended blood test. Before we talk about too much potassium, let’s first look at the role of potassium in the human body.

contents

• Potassium in food
• Causes of increased potassium in the blood
• Symptoms
• diagnosis
• treatment
• Summary

Potassium is one of the most important minerals in the human body. About 98 percent of them are inside the cells, the rest is extracellular. Potassium is especially important for energy production. Potassium should always be present in sufficient quantities in the body to ensure normal function of the cells. This mineral is important for the electrical processes in the cells, for the work of the nerves, their excitability and the function of the muscles . The acid-base balance and the water balance of the organism are also dependent on potassium. Both a potassium excess and a potassium deficiency can restrict the body functions, in the worst case this can be life-threatening.

A balanced diet guarantees that the body’s potassium needs are met. (Image: Yulia-Furman / fotolia.com)

Furthermore, potassium, in conjunction with sodium, maintains the osmotic pressure between the inside and the outside of the cell. For the cells of the heart muscle to function properly, they depend on this important mineral. Even slight changes in the amount of potassium in the blood can cause disturbances in electrical excitability and cardiac arrhythmias.

Potassium in food

The potassium requirement is usually covered by a balanced diet . Fruit (especially bananas ), dried fruit, vegetables, nuts, whole grain products, cocoa and chocolate contain a particularly high amount of potassium . The following table lists foods that are known to be particularly high in potassium.

Chanterelles contain around 5379 milligrams of potassium, making them one of the foods richest in potassium. (Image: karepa / fotolia.com)

Causes of increased potassium in the blood

The main causes of an excess of potassium in the blood are kidney diseases in which the elimination capacity of the kidneys is restricted, such as in the case of renal insufficiency.

Acute cell damage is also one of the causes, such as

• Burns,
• Heart attacks
• or ischemia (insufficient blood supply to organs).

Some drugs can also be “to blame” for hyperkalemia. These include, among others

• ACE inhibitors,
• Potassium-sparing diuretics,
• Beta blockers
• and digitalis glycosides.

In healthy people, an increased potassium intake through food is hardly possible. The situation is different in the presence of renal insufficiency. Other causes are ketoacidosis, which can develop as part of diabetes mellitus , and massive muscle breakdown, for example triggered by trauma. Furthermore, the two endocrine diseases hypocortisolism (lack of cortisol in the context of adrenal insufficiency) and hypoaldosteronism (lack of aldosterone) are also possible causes. A common in everyday cause of erroneous findings of hyperkalemia when in blood sampling the blood jammed or for too long a was used to thin needle.

An excess of potassium can mean that there is a disease of the kidneys, for example. (Image: Crystal light / fotolia.com)

Symptoms

A slight excess of potassium does not usually cause symptoms . Those affected may feel muscle weakness . General complaints include

• Fatigue,
• Displeasure,
• Weakness,
• general malaise,
• confusion
• and diarrhea.

In addition, there are neuromuscular symptoms such as muscle weakness, abnormal sensations in arms and / or legs and a furry tongue up to paralysis. Symptoms that affect the heart are a slow heartbeat and cardiac arrhythmias, in the worst case there is a risk of cardiac arrest. Furthermore, metabolic acidosis, a metabolic acidosis , possible.

diagnosis

The diagnosis of hyperkalemia is made through a blood test that measures the levels of sodium, potassium, calcium and chloride in the blood and also determines the pH value. A detailed medical history, physical exam, and EKG are also part of such an exam. It is important to clarify the list of medications in the case of already existing diseases, since one or the other remedy, as already mentioned, can lead to a potassium excess. If you have kidney disease, symptoms such as ringing in the ears or muscle weakness must be clarified. In the case of muscle twitching and cardiac arrhythmias, it is essential to consult a doctor.

treatment

The treatment of the underlying disease comes first. The exogenously supplied amount of potassium may have to be reduced as a result of an incorrect diet. Medicines that are to blame for the potassium excess are discontinued or changed under medical supervision. Severely increased potassium in the blood is a case for the intensive care unit as a life-threatening situation can develop. Medicines are used to stimulate the excretion of the kidneys and the uptake of potassium into the cells. Insulin and glucose promote intracellular potassium uptake. An infusion of calcium can prevent irregular heartbeat. If nothing helps, blood washing is the method of choice.

If the blood is blocked for too long when the blood is drawn or a needle that is too thin is used, this can sometimes be attributed to an excess of potassium. (Image: Wellnhofer Designs / fotolia.com)

Summary

An excess of potassium is very rare. If this is the case, however, symptoms that substantiate the suspicion of hyperkalemia must be taken seriously and medically clarified. This is especially true for older patients who suffer from kidney disease and who may be taking additional medication. If there is an underlying disease and a wide variety of drugs are prescribed, this can possibly lead to drug interactions. Extreme caution is required here.