Causes of High Potassium

Potassium is an essential mineral required for proper development and functioning of the body. Potassium helps in regulating tissues of the muscles, supports the digestion process, maintains balance between the various chemical processes and is also involved in the metabolism process.

The most important function of potassium is to maintain a proper heartbeat and prevent occurrence of any heart diseases.

Anything in excess is not good, and the same holds for potassium. High levels lead to a disease called hyperkalemia. More often than not, the inability of kidneys to effectively filter out potassium from blood, is one of the major causes of high potassium in blood.

The adrenal glands which are located next to the kidneys, secrete a hormone aldosterone, which makes the kidneys excrete potassium through urine. Thus, any adrenal dysfunction can be a cause of high potassium levels in the body. Addison's disease, is a common ailment which can cause an adrenal malfunction.

High potassium levels are mostly a result of a kidney damage or any form of kidney diseases, as kidneys are responsible for letting out the potassium from the body through urine.

Chronic renal failure, lupus nephritis and transplant rejections are usual causes of kidney damage subsequently causing high potassium levels in blood. An alteration in the dialysis treatment for kidney patients can cause high levels of potassium in the body and also increase chances of a heart attack.

Burns, surgical insertions, gastrointestinal bleeding or any trauma which make the blood cells burst, usually cause high potassium levels. When red blood cells in tissues die, they tend to release potassium in blood, which needs to be removed from the body by the kidneys. In case of any kidney malfunction, the excess potassium stays in the blood.

Rhabdomyolysis is a medical condition wherein, the skeletal muscle tissue breaks down. This further damages muscle cells, which then release potassium in blood. In some extreme cases of this disease, kidney failure is also a possibility. Excessive intake of drugs and alcohol, a common cause of rhabdomyolysis, should be avoided.

People suffering from type 1 diabetes generally report high potassium levels in blood. As the kidney in diabetics is not functioning properly, excess potassium gets into the blood stream resulting in high potassium levels.

A diet which contains foodstuffs rich in potassium can also be one of the causes of high potassium in the body, if it is not properly filtered out by the kidneys.

Certain medications are known to increase the potassium levels in the body. Anti-inflammatories, blood thinning medicines, lithium and some calcium channel blockers are examples of medicines which may cause high potassium levels in blood.

It is evident from the above causes that any damage or malfunctioning of the kidneys is the most significant cause of high potassium levels in the body, as the kidneys perform the important function of removing out all the excess potassium from the body through urine. Care must be taken to keep the kidneys functioning in the right way.

There are no specific symptoms of hyperkalemia. However, weakness in muscles, nausea, slow heartbeat and a weak pulse could be as a result of high potassium levels. The causes basically determine its treatment.

Normally, medicines which help to excrete the unnecessary potassium out through urine along with calcium are prescribed. A low potassium diet helps in reduce the levels of potassium in the body. Kidney dialysis is the last option in hyperkalemia treatment.