Everybody requires potassium. It is an essential nutrient that helps keep your heart healthy and your muscles working right. However did you understand that too much potassium can be harmful, specifically if you have kidney disease?
It can cause a condition called “hyperkalemia.” There are steps you can require to help keep your potassium levels within typical variety.
If you believe you are at risk for hyperkalemia, talk to your physician on methods to reduce your potassium levels. Furthermore, listed below are some things you need to know.
Causes of High Potassium
Although your body needs potassium, having excessive in your blood can be damaging. It can result in serious heart problems. Having excessive potassium in your body is called “hyperkalemia.” You might be at risk for hyperkalemia if you:
Have kidney disease. It is the job of your kidneys to keep the right amount of potassium in your body. If there is too much, healthy kidneys will filter out the additional potassium, and eliminate it from your body through urine. Nevertheless, when kidneys do not work well, they may not have the ability to get rid of adequate potassium. This indicates that potassium can develop in your blood to harmful levels.
Eat a diet high in potassium. Eating too much food that is high in potassium can also cause hyperkalemia, specifically in people with sophisticated kidney disease. Foods such as melons, orange juice, and bananas are high in potassium.
Take certain drugs that prevent the kidneys from losing enough potassium. Some drugs can keep your kidneys from getting rid of sufficient potassium. This can cause your potassium levels to rise. Go over all medications that you take with your doctor. Do not stop taking any medication by yourself!
Taking extra potassium, such as a salt replacement or particular supplements.
Have a condition called “Addison’s disease,” which can occur if your body does not make enough of specific hormones. Hormones are chemicals produced by different glands and organs, including the kidneys, to activate particular responses in your body.
Experience a serious injury or severe burn.
Symptoms of High Potassium
An easy blood test can discover the level of potassium in your blood. If you are at risk, make sure you ask your healthcare provider about a blood test for potassium.
Many people with high potassium have few, if any, symptoms. If symptoms do appear, they are usually mild and non-specific. You might feel some muscle weakness, numbness, tingling, nausea, or other unusual sensations.
High potassium normally develops slowly over numerous weeks or months, and is usually mild. It can recur. For many people, the level of potassium in your blood should be in between 3.5 and 5.0, depending on the lab that is used.
If high potassium takes place all of a sudden and you have very high levels, you may feel heart palpitations, shortness of breath, chest pain, queasiness, or vomiting. This is a lethal condition that requires instant healthcare. If you have these symptoms, call 911 or go to the emergency clinic!
Natural Ways to Lower Potassium Levels
If you have high potassium– or are at risk for getting it– talk to your doctor about the numerous choices you have to handle your potassium levels.
It’s important you inform your doctor about all the medicines you are taking consisting of over-the-counter drugs, herbals and supplements. To help keep your potassium levels within normal variety, your doctor might suggest the following:
- Many dietary foods include potassium, so pick foods low in potassium and prevent typical high-potassium items. Healthy foods with low potassium content include pasta, chicken, prepared carrots and apples. Typical foods to avoid include whole-grain bread, sports drinks, peanut butter, potatoes, bananas and milk. A dietitian can be vital for determining a proper low-potassium diet. Following a low-potassium diet, if needed. Eating too much food that is high in potassium can cause problems in some individuals, specifically in people with kidney disease. Ask your healthcare provider or dietitian how much potassium is right for you. Eating excessive can be hazardous, however having insufficient can cause problems, too. Some people might need a little bit more; others might require less.
- Try preventing certain salt replacements. Particular salt substitutes are high in potassium. Many people with kidney disease need to not use them.
- The potassium content in certain veggies can be decreased by a procedure called seeping. Wash the vegetables and cut them into thin slices, peeling them if required. Then soak them for a minimum of two hours in a big quantity of warm water. Wash the vegetables and boil them in fresh water for a number of minutes. This procedure pulls the potassium from the solid foods and dissolves it in the surrounding water.
- Preventing herbal remedies or supplements. They might have ingredients that can raise potassium levels. In basic, individuals with kidney disease need to not take herbal supplements. If you have any concerns about them, ask your doctor.
- Taking water pills or potassium binders, as directed by your doctor. Some people might likewise need medication to assist get rid of extra potassium from the body and keep it from returning. This may include: Water pills (diuretics) help rid your body of extra potassium. They work by making your kidney create more urine. Potassium is usually removed through urine. Potassium binders frequently can be found in the kind of a powder. They are blended with a small amount of water and taken with food. When swallowed, they “bind” to the extra potassium in the bowels and eliminate it. You should follow the instructions thoroughly when taking potassium binders. For instance, potassium binders might hinder how other drugs work if you take them at the same time. Potassium binders are not for use in children.
- Following your treatment plan carefully if you have diabetes, kidney disease, heart disease, or any other serious condition. Following your treatment strategy will help you keep your potassium levels in the healthy variety.
- Packaged foods with substantial potassium content list the quantity of the mineral on the Nutrition Facts label. Use a log to keep an eye on intake and identify sources of excess potassium. Keep serving sizes in mind when tracking nutrient usage. Monitoring your intake supplies an easy way to remain on top of potassium intake.
Health Tips
Potassium levels are determined by three aspects: the amount taken in, the amount excreted and its distribution in the body. A variety of conditions and habits can change these factors and affect the potassium level.
In healthy individuals, potassium is well-regulated by typical body systems. In people with specific diseases, the body may be less able to keep a healthy potassium balance. High potassium, or hyperkalemia, is serious and can be deadly.
The majority of people who need to reduce potassium levels have an underlying condition, such as diabetes or kidney failure, that hinders the ability of the body to preserve potassium balance.
It might be hard to use natural methods for potassium decrease without managing the underlying disease. Deal with a doctor to treat health conditions that may affect potassium levels.
Particular medications can increase potassium levels. A class of blood pressure medications called beta-blockers can hinder the body’s capability to redistribute potassium.
This is not an issue in healthy people, however those on some medications may develop increased potassium levels. Consult a healthcare professional to figure out if medications are suitable for keeping potassium balance.
Good luck! Have a nice weekend!
