Hyperkalemia: causes, nutrition, treatment

Causes and signs of the disease.
(language to treat hyperkalemia: medications and non-drug therapy. Prevention of the disease. Hyperkalemia is a pathological condition caused by an excessive amount of potassium in the body. The density of the substance is more than 5 mEq/l, which is already a serious deviation from the norm, observed in the case of its excess intake outside or exit from cells. Establishing the causes and physiology of hyperkalemia become the key tasks of the patient and the attending physician, since the violation leads to such serious complications as fibrillation, heart attack and other dysfunctions in the heart. Up to 10% of patients seeking help from therapist and cardiologist, suffer from the consequences of this disease.In order to identify the pathology as early as possible, before the development of irreparable complications in the body, it is necessary to know the symptoms of hyperkalemia and, when the pathology is first detected, contact a doctor.

What is hyperkalemia?

Potassium is a vital element for the normal functioning of the body. How it takes an active part in the transmission of nerve impulses from the brain to the periphery, normalizes heart rhythm, and ensures the reactivity of muscle fibers. Goose enters the human body from the outside through food, and (too) much of it is naturally excreted from the body. The kidneys are actively involved in this process by removing the excessive potassium load.

The amount of potassium in the blood is 3.5-4.5 mEq/L. An increase in its amount in comparison with the norm is called hyperkalemia; the causes of the pathology are different.

As for whom and with other indicators of blood biochemistry, the concept of normal as a dog is relative. So, for men, the potassium content in paint can be 4.5 mEq/L, and for women - up to 4 mEq/L. For representatives of professions associated with heavy physical labor and high-class athletes, the current figure may be higher than the accepted values.

Pay attention to the first plan! Hyperkalemia does not immediately show symptoms of the disease, so it is important to systematically undergo medical examinations, including laboratory tests, as well as to know your individual norms.

Causes of hyperkalemia

The pathogenesis of the causes of hyperkalemia can only be conditionally divided into two types - excessive intake of potassium into the decomposer and disruption of the processes of removing the element from it.

In the first case, excessive waste of medications cannot cause hyperkalemia in a healthy person, since the excess is eliminated from the body. And a concomitant factor of the disease is Addison’s disease, kidney and liver failure, which, by the way, also worsen the processes of removing trace elements from the body. At the same time, exceeding the dose of consumption of potassium-sparing diuretics, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, cardiac drugs can lead to an increase in the concentration of potassium in the blood. Such medications are generally recommended to lower blood pressure. Therefore, they should be taken only after consulting a doctor.

Near severe damage to the kidney tissue, even following a diet near hyperkalemia can lead to elevated readings of the element in months. The retention of potassium, which enters the body from the outside, is combined with impaired excretion, which may be adrenal dysfunction or a decrease in the body’s reactivity to aldosterone. Such conditions can be caused by nephropathy, amyloidosis and other diseases.

Another cause of hyperkalemia is improper release of potassium from cells. These processes can be caused by burns, dehydration, destruction of cells in muscle fibers, breakdown of red blood cells, tissue necrosis or oxygen starvation, intracellular acidosis. Cocaine overdose, in turn, causes damage at the cellular level and the entry of excess potassium into the system.

Note! In medicine, there is such an opinion as pseudohyperkalemia. Such conditions are a consequence of artificial intervention during thrombocytosis or leukocytosis procedures, and they are predicted by doctors.

Dietary advice for hyperkalemia.

Taking insulin and albuterol gives the desired result somewhat later, after about .5 hours, but the result is also short-lived. To remove excess potassium in severe conditions, polystyrene sulfonate is also used. To reduce the amount of potassium consumed in food to the recommended mmol per day, patients are advised to adhere to a certain diet.

It is recommended to exclude or limit the consumption of dairy products, fish, some vegetables and products made from them: beets, tomatoes, tomato pastes or sauces, bran, chocolate in any form, watermelons, flaxseed oil, soy products, dried fruits, nuts and seeds.

In addition, fast food and quick packaged meals are prohibited. Most often, instead of salt, potassium chloride is added to them. It is better to replace forbidden dishes and foods with those that reduce the amount of potassium in the blood. To do this, you should add more carrots, cabbage, herbs, citrus fruits, berries and fruits to your diet. Pasta and rice have a positive effect on the concentration of the microelement. It is recommended to add alfalfa sprouts to vegetable or fruit salads.

Main symptoms of hyperkalemia

Depending on the deviations in the potassium content in the blood serum, three types of hyperkalemia are distinguished; signs of the disease in the case of a smooth flow through the first type to the third are practically absent:

Light style - potassium levels in the blood are at the level of 5.6-6.5 mEq/l.
Moderate athyroidism - the analysis will show a figure in the range of 6.6-7.5.
The potbellied form of the disease is diagnosed when potassium levels are more than 7.5 mEq/L.

In rare cases, the gradual accumulation of the element leads to general lethargy and fatigue; the manifestations of hyperkalemia are hidden. And in case the pathology is caused by another disease, then signs of increased potassium during menstruation in most cases are considered symptoms of the underlying disease.

In cases where an acute form of pathology is diagnosed, the manifestations are atypical. The patient experiences stomach cramps, fighting with the toilet, and vomiting, as well as cardiac arrhythmia and seizures.

A complication of hyperkalemia is a weakening of the conductivity of cell membranes, and as a result, a deterioration in the conductivity of nerve impulses. This leads to a feeling of tingling in the limbs and on the lips, there are frequent cases of clouding of consciousness, the impression of muscle weakness, which actively develops into paralysis, which is why hyperkalemia is dangerous.

In order to confirm the diagnosis, the patient is sent for additional examinations - an electrocardiogram (since the disease complicates the work of the heart), ore is tested for potassium, and the functioning of the excretory system is examined.

Diagnostics

Chronic deviation of plasma potassium requires timely and adequate treatment.
Often the pathology is caused by abnormalities in the functioning of the kidneys; the disorder requires drug therapy and specialist supervision. Drug therapy is aimed at removing potassium through the urine. Elevated levels cause problems with the heart, so an electrocardiogram is performed to monitor the cardiac system.

Signs of deviation appear at a potassium concentration of 5.5 mmol/l; at lower levels, symptoms may be absent. If a person experiences convulsions, malaise, headaches, no appetite, nausea, or problems with urination, it is necessary to undergo a diagnostic examination. After determining the cause of the deviation, treatment will be prescribed.

In newborns, hyperkalemia is observed at seven mmol/l due to the physiological characteristics of the body. Excess potassium in a small child is excreted slowly due to incomplete formation of the kidneys; the situation stabilizes after ten years.

To diagnose hyperkalemia, the following methods are used:

blood sampling, after testing, potassium in the placenta should not exceed five mmol/l;
A urine test will assess the concentration of potassium excreted during urination;
ECG, with a pathological deviation, the amplitude of the T wave increases.

After therapy, the patient needs to stay in the clinic for some period to monitor the heart function. The patient is connected to a special machine to constantly monitor cardiac activity.

In taste to treat hyperkalemia?

If, with hyperkalemia, complications have previously begun to affect the body, it is advisable to carry out treatment immediately. Refusal of therapy can lead to problems with the heart, excretory system, and deterioration of nerve conduction.

Still, in most cases, such a patient’s condition is detected on the eve of the manifestation of active signs during a routine examination of the patient. After the test results, a therapeutic course is prescribed, which necessarily includes eliminating the cause of hyperkalemia, taking medications to normalize paint levels, as well as correcting the patient’s diet (certain foods near hyperkalemia are excluded, while others, on the contrary, are introduced into the diet).

(how to treat hyperkalemia with medications is determined only by the doctor, based on the general health of the patient, the reasons that caused the dysfunction, and the type of disease.

If the pathology is detected at the initial stage, the storage of potassium in the blood does not exceed the norm by much, then, firstly, medications for hyperkalemia that increase the concentration of the substance over the months are discontinued, and secondly, medication is started to improve the excretion of potassium. Removal of excess is carried out through the gastrointestinal tract with the help of drugs containing resins that absorb potassium. And if the excretory system functions without interruption, then diuretics can be prescribed.

In moderate and severe forms of the disease, drug therapy for hyperkalemia depends on the degree of damage to the body and the development of complications. (otherwise the functions of the cardiovascular system have not yet been suppressed, and the kidneys are functioning within normal limits, the same treatment may be recommended as for a mild form of the disease. And if such measures do not bring results, and the potassium level rises above 6.5 mEq/L, aggressive therapeutic procedures will be carried out - 5-10 units of insulin with glucose and dextrose solution are injected intravenously. This “cocktail” promotes the movement of potassium from the blood into the cells, the results will be visible within the first hour and will last for several more hours .

If the ECG shows abnormalities, calcium gluconate is added to the insulin-glucose treatment. The substance prevents myocardial damage and is administered carefully to avoid the opposite effect (hypokalemic arrhythmia). The results of treatment will be visible in the first minutes of intravenous administration of drugs, but will last a few days (up to half an hour). If necessary, the administration of CaCl is repeated.

Beta-2-adrenergic receptors can be used as an additional treatment for hyperkalemia; their effect is noted in the first one and a half hours after administration. However, drugs in this group are prohibited for patients with angina pectoris or a heart attack. In general, what is dangerous about hyperkalemia is that it interferes with the functioning of the cardiovascular system, so drug therapy also includes taking drugs to stimulate the heart.

In the early stages of a severe form of the disease, a combination treatment is carried out - medications are administered both to completely remove potassium from the body and to move the substance from the blood into the cells. The exact treatment of hyperkalemia should be determined exclusively by a doctor. The manipulations are carried out in a hospital setting, aimlessly, as drug therapy requires constant monitoring of potassium levels and kidney condition, so avoiding collapse. For emergency cleansing of the body and removal of potassium, hemodialysis may be necessary.

Note! On the Internet you can find information about the development of a drug for hyperkalemia by European pharmacological companies. A remedy called Lokelma is not registered in Russia and Ukraine as my grandmother whispered, so it cannot be taken recommended by our doctors for treatment.

Low Calorie Diet for Hyperkalemia – Blood Disorders – 2020

If you have chronic kidney disease, diabetes, or are taking renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) inhibitors, which include ACE inhibitors and angiotensin II receptor blockers, your doctor will likely tell you about how to manage your potassium levels .
through medications and dietary changes. Hyperkalemia, which occurs when there is too much potassium in the blood, is common in people with chronic kidney disease and diabetes and can be fatal if it gets out of control. Introducing a low-potassium diet may contribute to the persistence of hyperkalemia.

Potassium is one of the essential dietary minerals, along with calcium, magnesium, chloride, phosphorus and sodium. It is important for normal muscle and nervous system function and helps regulate your body's pH balance, working with sodium to maintain normal blood pressure levels.

Potassium restriction

If you have had hyperkalemia or are at risk of developing it, your doctor will likely ask you to work with a dietitian to help you create a low-potassium eating plan.

The average adult should have up to 4,700 milligrams of potassium per day, but most people with chronic kidney disease or otherwise at risk for hyperkalemia need to stick to less than 2,000 milligrams per day.

Your dietitian or doctor can help you determine how much you need to achieve your personal health goals.

Since potassium essentially counteracts sodium in regulating your blood pressure, it's no surprise that foods high in potassium are generally considered healthy, especially fruits and vegetables.

To stick to a low-potassium diet, you'll need to limit some healthy foods, but don't worry—there are plenty of healthy foods you can still eat.

Along with reducing your potassium intake, it's also worth avoiding alcohol, high-fat foods, and fast foods that aren't very nutritious. Drinking more water may also help, so ask your doctor how much water you should drink each day.

Hyperkalemia is usually caused by illness or medication, but in rare cases it can happen when you take large doses of potassium supplements. Although potassium is an important nutrient, it is best not to use potassium supplements unless directed by a doctor.

Foods High in Potassium

You should avoid or severely limit your intake of foods high in potassium (more than 200 mg per serving) if you are following a low-potassium diet. These products include:

Vegetables: Cooked spinach, raw carrots, greens (except cabbage), bamboo shoots, chard, taro, artichokes, sweet potatoes, baked or fried beans, potatoes, beets, bok choy, okra, cooked broccoli, raw cabbage, pumpkin, squash, parsnips, Brussels sprouts and mushrooms, as well as any appetizers or side dishes made with these vegetables
Fruits: Papaya, mango, dried fruits, dates, nectarines, avocados, pomegranate, plantains, plantains, kiwis, oranges, yams, fresh pears, coconut, cantaloupe, melon, apricots, prunes, tomatoes and all tomato products
Dairy Products: Dairy products other than cheese and sour cream (noted in the next section), plus yogurt, regular and flavored milk, and buttermilk
Beverages: Fruit and vegetable juices, instant breakfast mixes, soy milk, and sports drinks such as Gatorade or Powerade
Whole grains: Bran, muesli, oats and oatmeal, bread, baked goods and whole grain cereals
Dry beans: Pinto, kidney, black and navy beans, as well as tofu, lentils, lima beans and soybeans

Nuts and Seeds: Most nuts, peanuts, peanut butter and most seeds, including pumpkin and sunflowers
Meat: Salmon, halibut, shellfish, scallops, sardines, lobster, most fish and most red meat
Sugars: Molasses, chocolate and fig cookies
Salt substitutes: Although they may be sodium-free, when potassium is used as a sodium replacement, they increase the potassium content. Do not use salt substitutes containing potassium. Instead, use herbal blends and seasonings.

Low Potassium Foods

The list above looks quite long, but there are many low potassium foods (less than 200 mg per serving) that you can eat if you are at risk for hyperkalemia, including:

Vegetables: Green beans, wax beans, peppers, eggplant, boiled cabbage, boiled carrots, canned water chestnuts, asparagus (6 spears), cauliflower, celery (1 stalk), raw broccoli, cucumbers, corn (1/2 ear or 1 /2 cups), alfalfa sprouts, cabbage, fresh mushrooms, okra, turnips, onions, parsley, green peas, rhubarb, radishes, peas, turnip greens, watercress, raw spinach (1 cup), yellow squash, zucchini, shallots and iceberg lettuce
Fruits: Apples (1), applesauce, blackberries, blueberries, cherries, peaches (1/2 cup fresh or 1/2 cup canned), grapefruit, fresh plums (1), raspberries, grapes, cranberries, grapefruit (1/2) , pears (1 fresh or 1/2 cup canned), mandarin oranges, canned apricots, smoothies (dried), tangerines (1), watermelon (1 cup), pineapple and strawberries
Dairy products: Hard cheese (1 ounce), cottage cheese (1/2 cup) and eggs are allowed in the diet. Rice milk is a good substitute for cow's milk.
Beverages: Apple juice, grape juice, pineapple juice, non-dairy creamer, fruit punch, drink mixes such as Kool-Aid, tea (limit to 16 fl oz per day) and coffee (limit to 8 fl oz per day)
Grains: Good white refined flour, like white rice, makes refined corn chips, English muffins, crackers, popcorn, pasta and cereal.
Nuts and Seeds: One ounce macadamia, pecans, cashews, walnuts, almonds, sesame seeds, chia seeds, flax seeds and unsalted peanut butter (1 tablespoon)
Sugars: Cookies without chocolate or nuts, cakes without chocolate or high in potassium, angel cake and yellow cake
Meats: Fresh chicken (3 oz), fresh turkey (3 oz), tuna, fresh pork, baloney and shrimp (all 1 oz). Avoid sausage, bacon or other meats that may contain potassium additives.

Unless otherwise noted, one serving equals 1/2 cup or 4 ounces. Keep in mind that if you eat large amounts of these low-potassium foods, you are going to be consuming more potassium than you need. Be sure to consume these foods in moderation and ask your doctor or dietitian if you have any questions.

Vegetable Leaching

If you really like certain vegetables that are high in potassium, leaching is a way to reduce some of them. While this allows you to enjoy these vegetables occasionally, they will still contain too much potassium for regular consumption. You can talk to your doctor or dietitian for more information.

Here's how you do it:

Wash, peel (if necessary) and thinly slice the vegetables
Rinse in warm water
Soak in unsalted warm water for at least two hours - about 10 parts water to 1 part vegetables, changing the water every four hours if you want to do it longer, up to 12 hours
Rinse again in warm water
Cook in unsalted water as desired - about 5 parts water to 1 part vegetables and drain cooking water.

Samples of dishes and snacks

Here are some ideas for meals and snacks you can enjoy on a low-calorie diet.

Breakfast:

White toast with jam, a small glass of grape juice and a hard-boiled egg
Cornflakes with rice milk and fresh blueberries, toast with butter, cinnamon and sugar
Scrambled eggs, cottage cheese and fresh strawberries

Dinner:

Sandwich with white bread, sliced cucumbers, cream cheese and dill
Chicken fajitas with white flour tortillas, peppers, onions, chili powder and lime
White pasta with chopped asparagus, peppers and onions with olive oil and herbs

Dinner:

Turkey meatloaf cooked with egg, breadcrumbs, parsley and Worcestershire sauce, green beans and white rice
Chicken with curry sauce, raw broccoli, cooked carrots and a small iceberg lettuce salad
Pork chops with coleslaw and red beet salad

Snack:

White crackers with pieces of cheese
Cottage cheese with blueberries
Raspberry, rice milk and crushed ice smoothie

General Diet Tips

Read the labels on all store-bought products. New nutrition labels require potassium amounts to be displayed, but until then, you can look at the ingredient list to make sure there are little or no potassium-rich foods.

Also, be sure to eat all canned vegetables, fruits, and meats before you eat them. This helps reduce potassium.

Water is a good drink, but you can also drink lemonade and fruit juices from fruits on the low-potassium list. Tea is also acceptable as long as you stick to 16 ounces per day. It can be served hot or over ice with lemon and sugar or honey.

Always strive for healthy foods. If you need to lose or gain weight, talk to your doctor and a dietitian who can help you determine the right number of calories to consume each day.

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Dietary features that may cause hyperkalemia

If hyperkalemia is detected, nutritional supplies, selected taking into account the pathogenic condition, may be constrained by one of the stages of therapy. They are effective in the early stages of the disease, and when it becomes severe, they become part of a comprehensive treatment.

A diet for hyperkalemia involves maintaining the following rules:

The daily ration includes olive oil, beans, lean meat and living silver, black bread;
Wheat and baked goods made from wheat flour, corn, preservatives, potatoes, eggs, sweets and caffeine are excluded from the daily menu;
You can drink herbal teas with chamomile, but you should avoid collecting alfalfa and nettle, even for medicinal purposes.

Normalization of nutrition should be supplemented by avoidance of bad habits and daily walks in the fresh air and moderate physical activity.

Low potassium foods for hyperkalemia

Potatoes - it is better to cook them in the form of mashed potatoes with celery, so baked and boiled in their jackets retain potassium. Reduce the level of dairy products in your diet.

The best thing is a serving in g per day of milk, plain yogurt or cottage cheese. Fruits and vegetables should be pre-soaked. You can eat nuts in the first half of the day, for example, 1 walnut with porridge for breakfast or almonds.

Vegetables: zucchini, cucumbers, pumpkin, eggplant, asparagus, spinach, green peppers, cabbage, basil, parsley. Fruits: plums, pears, figs, pineapple, apples, peaches, grapes, strawberries, raspberries, blueberries.

Meat: turkey, eggs, chicken, beef. Breakfast options: 1. Oatmeal with water, 1 green grated apple, 2 tbsp. Millet porridge with pumpkin 3. Buckwheat porridge with milk milk:water in a ratio of 4.

Preventing hyperkalemia

Complications from hyperkalemia can be critical for a person’s normal functioning. Therefore, it is recommended to follow a set of preventive measures to control potassium levels when visiting:

taking potassium-containing drugs only as prescribed by a doctor;
controlled intake of diuretics;
moderate physical activity;
adjusting the diet;
timely resolution of health problems, especially those related to the activity of the kidneys and adrenal glands;
systematic preventive examinations and return tests.

Within a year, if disease prevention measures are followed, the risk of relapse is extremely low. But the patient will still be recommended to systematically monitor his or her health status.

Why is hyperkalemia - look at the video:

Hyperkalemia is a pathology that is dangerous both due to the reasons that cause it and affect various functions of the body, and because of its complications. The acute matrix of excessive potassium content can be removed in just six months in a medical facility with the help of medications. But in the early stages, the situation can be corrected by normalizing nutrition and other non-drug methods. If treatment is started in the first hours after diagnosing the disease, it is possible not only to avoid complications, but also to be completely healed.

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Diet rules

The whole point of the diet is to replenish potassium reserves. This macroelement is present in every body in a stable amount, but requires replenishment, since it is washed away with the excretion of urine and sweat. The natural elimination of fluid from the human body also removes a lot of useful substances. Lack of potassium affects the functioning of the nervous system, kidneys, and heart. Potassium is involved in metabolism, maintains water-electrolyte balance and heart contractions.

Nutritionists and cardiologists suggest balancing the required level of this macronutrient with the help of a healthy diet. Due to the foods and dishes included in the potassium diet menu, the body will also compensate for the lack of magnesium, phosphorus, iodine, and fluorine.

What foods are recommended for a potassium diet:

lean fish;
potato;
porridge;
dried fruits: dried apricots, prunes, raisins;
seaweed;
beans: beans, lentils, peas;
nuts: cashews, walnuts, peanuts, almonds, hazelnuts;
mustard.

For children's menus, it is recommended to add low-fat protein foods: rabbit meat, chicken, turkey fillet. You can dilute the menu with healthy drinks and foods: carrots, cabbage, fermented milk ingredients. Diet breakdowns are not terrible, but they are highly not recommended with prescribed therapy.

What not to eat on a potassium diet:

fast food and fast food;
carbonated and alcoholic drinks;
fatty, canned, salted;
caffeinated drinks: natural coffee, green tea;
roast.

To preserve beneficial components, in particular potassium, it is better to eat vegetables and fruits raw. During cooking or soaking, potassium passes into water, so nutritionists recommend eating soups with yushka, porridge, and raw ingredients.

Salt in the diet menu is kept to a minimum. Cardiologists call it one of the main enemies of health. By retaining water in the body, salt increases the risk of developing hypertension. Those who have already been diagnosed with this disease are recommended to reduce its amount to 5 g per day.

It is imperative to give up fatty and fried foods during the diet and significantly reduce it after the treatment course. This will reduce cholesterol levels, which are the cause of hypertension, migraines, and hemorrhages. This component is extremely undesirable for a healthy person and dangerous for a patient with cardiovascular diseases.

Drinking regime will also require attention. Unlike many other therapeutic and preventive diets, this technique slightly limits the amount of water. To maintain the required level of potassium, no more than 1.5 liters of liquid is allowed. Not only clean water counts, but also teas, infusions, soups, etc. Since potassium has a diuretic effect, it will place additional stress on the kidneys and bladder.

You need to eat often, portions should be small. It is important to focus on your personal physical needs and avoid starvation. In order to reduce weight as much as possible, it is not recommended to focus on the amount of food, since there will be no beneficial effect from the course. It is better to focus on low-calorie foods, plant foods, and natural fresh juices.

The diet has two options. One was prescribed by specialists and is prescribed without changes to children and adults. It contains 6 meals every day. The entire course consists of four stages: the first and second last 1-2 days (depending on the purpose), the third and fourth – 2-3 days each.

For those who just want to carry out prevention or lose weight on a potassium diet, the classic version or your own menu is suitable. From the list of allowed foods, you can create an individual diet. You cannot extend the course for more than a decade.