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Sabtu, 01 Juni 2013

What Are the Treatments for High Potassium?

What Are the Treatments for High Potassium?

Excess potassium in the bloodstream is a condition known as hyperkalemia. It's caused when the kidneys fail to remove an oversupply of potassium from the body, leaving it to build up in the bloodstream. Potassium's role involves regulating muscle tissue and supporting the digestive system and metabolism. A few dietary, herbal, and medical treatments can help correct the condition.

Acute Treatment

    If potassium levels are too high, emergency treatment will be needed. High potassium in the bloodstream is a threat to the heart. The focus of acute treatment is to protect the body from further harm. Acute treatment may include dialysis to reduce potassium levels if the kidneys aren't function properly. Water pills (diuretics) help lower potassium. Intravenous calcium can be used if the muscles and heart are showing symptoms related to hyperkalemia. If symptoms become severe, intravenous glucose and insulin will be administered to correct the condition.

Long-Term Treatment

    Medical long-term treatments may be used to correct the cause that created the high levels of potassium. Long-term treatment includes treating the cause of the problem and disorders associated with hyperkalemia. For instance, if the kidneys aren't eliminating excess potassium, "loop diuretics" could be administered to remove the stockpile of fluid and potassium in the body. This type of treatment will allow potassium levels to return to normal. Medications used to treat high potassium will return potassium to the cells moving it out of the bloodstream. Medications also support the removal of excess potassium from the kidneys.

Drug Treatment

    Insulin, sodium bicarbonate and beta agonists are drugs that help move potassium from the bloodstream to the cells. Diuretics and binding resins are drug treatments that effectively lower potassium levels. And binding resins support the relationship of potassium and sodium to maintain a balanced exchange of nutrients for organs and systems to function properly.

Nutrition

    Lower potassium levels will involve eating and drinking proper foods and fluids. Begin with using healthy cooking oils such as olive oil. Keeping a low-potassium diet requires 5mg to 150mg of potassium each day. A high-potassium diet is 250mg to 500mg. Some high potassium foods to avoid are: bananas, lentils, nuts, peaches, potatoes, tomatoes, watermelon and salmon. Abstain from eating refined foods such as white breads, sugar and pastas. Reduce the amount of red meat, fast food and lunch meats you eat. Instead get your protein through eating lean meats, fish and beans. Eliminate trans-fatty acids from your diet as well as alcohol and tobacco. Ask your doctor about caffeine drinks which are often used to elevate potassium levels. You should replace the caffeine with water because dehydration can make a high potassium condition worse.

    If you haven't taken an allergy test, then do so. Food allergens can increase potassium and cause other health problems. The food allergens that cause the most trouble include dairy, wheat (gluten), corn, soy, preservatives and food additives.

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