Hyperkalemia

Too Much Potassium (Hyperkalemia): Drug Therapy

Therapeutic targets Correction of hyperkalemia, i.e., promotion of excretion and infiltration of potassium into cells Correction of the disturbed acid-base balance. Avoidance of cardiac arrhythmias Therapy recommendations Acute hyperkalemia (potassium value: > 6.5 mmol/l) and/or previous cardiac damage or ECG changes represent an emergency situation → intensive medical monitoring required! Discontinuation of causative drugs (see … Too Much Potassium (Hyperkalemia): Drug Therapy

Too Much Potassium (Hyperkalemia): Medical History

Medical history (history of illness) represents an important component in the diagnosis of hyperkalemia (excess potassium). Family history Are there any conditions in your family that are common? Current medical history/systemic history (somatic and psychological complaints). Do you suffer from: Listlessness? Weakness? Confusion? Diarrhea (diarrhea)? Paresthesias (sensory disturbances; in this case: Tingling in extremities, furry … Too Much Potassium (Hyperkalemia): Medical History

Too Much Potassium (Hyperkalemia): Or something else? Differential Diagnosis

Endocrine, nutritional, and metabolic diseases (E00-E90). Diabetes mellitus (diabetes). Gordon syndrome (synonym: pseudohypoaldosteronism type 2) – rare genetic form of hypertension (high blood pressure) characterized by hyperkalemia, mild hyperchloremic metabolic acidosis (metabolic acidosis), normal or elevated aldosterone, low renin with normal glomerular renal filtration rate (GFR). Hyperglycemia (high blood sugar). Hypoaldosteronism (primary and secondary; Addison’s … Too Much Potassium (Hyperkalemia): Or something else? Differential Diagnosis

Too Much Potassium (Hyperkalemia): Complications

The following are the major diseases or complications that may be contributed to by hyperkalemia (excess potassium): Cardiovascular system (I00-I99) Cardiac arrhythmias (possibly ventricular arrhythmias, especially ventricular extrasystoles (VES) and ventricular tachycardia, which may progress to ventricular fibrillation). Cardiac arrest Sudden cardiac death (PHT) Psyche – nervous system (F00-F99; G00-G99) Paralytic symptoms Symptoms and abnormal … Too Much Potassium (Hyperkalemia): Complications

Too Much Potassium (Hyperkalemia): Examination

A comprehensive clinical examination is the basis for selecting further diagnostic steps: General physical examination – including blood pressure, pulse, body weight, height; further: Inspection (viewing). Skin, mucous membranes and sclerae (white part of the eye). Auscultation (listening) of the heart [bradycardia (heartbeat too slow: < 60 beats per minute)?] Palpation (palpation) of the abdomen … Too Much Potassium (Hyperkalemia): Examination

Too Much Potassium (Hyperkalemia): Test and Diagnosis

1st-order laboratory parameters-obligatory laboratory tests. Small blood count Differential blood count Urine status (rapid test for: pH, leukocytes, nitrite, protein, glucose, ketone, urobilinogen, bilirubin, blood), sediment, urine culture if necessary. Electrolytes – calcium, chloride, potassium, magnesium, sodium, phosphate. Laboratory parameters 2nd order – depending on the results of the medical history, physical examination, etc. – … Too Much Potassium (Hyperkalemia): Test and Diagnosis

Too Much Potassium (Hyperkalemia): Diagnostic Tests

Obligatory medical device diagnostics. Blood pressure measurement Electrocardiogram (ECG; recording of the electrical activity of the heart muscle) – standard examination for cardiac arrhythmias[hyperkalemia: high peaked T waves (“steeple T”), prolonged PQ time, and disappearance of the P wave (or flat broad P), in addition to a broadened QRS complex and prolonged QT time Pronounced … Too Much Potassium (Hyperkalemia): Diagnostic Tests

Too Much Potassium (Hyperkalemia): Prevention

To prevent hyperkalemia (excess potassium), attention must be paid to reducing individual risk factors. Behavioral risk factors Diet Fasting Increased intake of potassium; hyperkalemia due to increased dietary potassium intake occurs only in patients with impaired renal function (most common cause of hyperkalemia) Prevention factors (protective factors) Guidelines recommend discontinuation of medications with pharmacologic RAAS … Too Much Potassium (Hyperkalemia): Prevention

Too Much Potassium (Hyperkalemia): Symptoms, Complaints, Signs

The following symptoms and complaints may indicate hyperkalemia (excess potassium): Common complaints that may occur with hyperkalemia are: General malaise Fatigue Disinclination Weakness Confusion Diarrhea Neuromuscular symptoms: Paresthesias (sensory disturbances; in this case: Tingling in extremities, furry sensation of the tongue). Muscular weakness (muscle weakness). Paralysis symptoms Cardiac symptoms: Bradycardia (heartbeat too slow: < 60 … Too Much Potassium (Hyperkalemia): Symptoms, Complaints, Signs

Too Much Potassium (Hyperkalemia): Causes

Pathogenesis (development of disease) More than 98% of the potassium in the body is in the intracellular space (IZR = fluid located inside the body’s cells) The distribution of potassium between extracellular volume (EZR = intravascular space (located inside the vessels) + extravascular space (located outside the vessels)) and IZR is influenced by the following … Too Much Potassium (Hyperkalemia): Causes

Too Much Potassium (Hyperkalemia): Therapy

General measures Review of permanent medication due topossible effect on existing disease. Nutritional medicine Nutritional counseling based on nutritional analysis Nutritional recommendations according to a mixed diet taking into account the disease at hand. This means, among other things: Daily total of 5 servings of fresh vegetables and fruits (≥ 400 g; 3 servings of … Too Much Potassium (Hyperkalemia): Therapy