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 sensation of the tongue)?
- Do you have muscle weakness?
- Do you have any signs of paralysis* ?
- Do you have any cardiac arrhythmias? e.g.
- Bradycardia (heartbeat too slow: < 60 beats per minute)?
- Cardiac stuttering* ?
Vegetative anamnesis including nutritional anamnesis.
- Have you fasted in the last few days or weeks?
- Do you drink alcohol? If so, what drink or drinks and how many glasses of it per day?
Self history incl. medication history.
- Pre-existing conditions (diabetes mellitus (diabetes), hypoaldosteronism (primary and secondary; Addison’s disease), renal insufficiency (renal impairment)).
- Operations
- Radiotherapy
- Allergies
Medication history
- ACE inhibitors (benazepril, captopril, cilazapril, enalapril, fosinopril, lisinopril, moexipril, peridopril, quinapril, ramipril, spirapril).
- Angiotension II receptor antagonists (AT-II-RB; ARB; angiotensin II receptor subtype 1 antagonists; angiotensin receptor blockers; AT1 receptor antagonists, AT1 receptor blockers, AT1 antagonists, AT1 blockers; angiotensin receptor blockers, sartans) – candesartan, eprosartan, irbesartan, losartan, olmesartan, telmisartan, valsartan.
- Antibiotics
- Trimethoprim
- Cotrimoxazole (trimethoprim plus sulfmethoxazole) + RASB (renin-angiotensin system blockers; inhibitors of the renin-angiotensin system) – associated with sudden cardiac death in elderly patients (within 14 days of antibiotic treatment)
- Antiprotozoal agents
- Pentamidine
- Antirheumatic drugs, nonsteroidal (acetylsalicylic acid (ASA))
- Aldosterone antagonists (amiloride, spironolactone, eplerenone).
- Antiprotozoal agents (pentamidine).
- Beta blocker
- Nonselective beta blockers (e.g., carvedilol, propranolol, soltalol) [inhibition of insulin secretion; more potent than selective beta blockers].
- Selective beta-blockers (e.g., atenolol, bisoprolol, metoprolol).
- Calcimimetic (etelcalcetide).
- Digitalis glycosides
- Diuretics
- Potassium-sparing diuretics: Amiloride, triamterene
- Aldosterone antagonists: eplerenone, spironolactone.
- Heparin
- Immunosuppressants (ciclosporin (cyclosporin A), tacrolimus).
- Lithium
- Muscle relaxants (succinylcholine)
* If this question has been answered with “Yes”, an immediate visit to the doctor is required! (Information without guarantee)
