Overabundance of potassium in the blood plasma leads to the development of various complications. Symptoms of hyperkalemia are subtle, so it is not easy to diagnose a disease in time. There are two correct ways to determine hyperkalemia - ECG and a blood test.
The main causes of hyperkalemia
Overabundance of potassium in the diet causes hyperkalemia extremely rarely. Our body is able to regulate the amount of macronutrient taken from food, and if the potassium is too much, simply does not absorb it, quickly removing it with urine. Therefore, if a blood test showed a K content of more than 5.5 mmol per liter, most likely the kidneys fail to cope with the task. Of course, if the disease is not caused by taking certain medications.
Certain types of drugs promote the release of potassium from the cells of our body into the intercellular space, which also leads to hyperkalemia. First of all, we are talking about beta-blockers, drugs for treating pneumonia in AIDS patients, Trimethoprim, Pentamidine and some other drugs.
Often an increase in the level of potassium is associated with such diseases of internal organs as:
- leukemia and leukocytosis ;
- nephritis;
- sickle-cell anemia;
- nephropathy;
- obstruction of the urinary tract;
- glycoside intoxication;
- metabolic acidosis;
- tumor disintegration syndrome;
- familial hyperkalemic periodic paralysis.
Also, hyperkalemia can develop with diabetes and intense physical exertion. Moreover, in the latter case, following acute hyperkalemia, chronic hypokalemia usually occurs.
Symptoms of hyperkalemia
An overabundance of potassium in the blood can be evidenced by such signs:
- convulsions;
- heart rhythm disorder;
- general malaise;
- headache;
- muscle spasms;
- drawing pain in the muscles;
- lack of appetite;
- frequent urination;
- nausea.
These symptoms of hyperkalemia are not always apparent and not all. How can we diagnose the disease in this case?
Usually, with hyperkalemia, there is necessarily a characteristic symptom such as muscle weakness and respiratory failure. If it is difficult for you even to bring a cup to your lips, or the diaphragm does not fall low enough to take a deep breath, it hinders to collect full lungs of air, this indicates a disease.
Because the content of potassium in the blood directly affects the normal operation of the heart muscle, very good hyperkalemia is seen on the ECG . With the help of a cardiogram it is possible to identify both the overabundance and the deficit of this macroelement. Symptoms of hyperkalemia on the ECG are primarily visible in the T phase - pointed teeth. This is evidence of mild illness. If the disease has passed to the middle phase, the PQ interval is extended on the cardiogram and the QRS complex becomes wider. At the same time AV-holding slows down and, in severe cases, the tooth of P. disappears. The common curve begins to resemble a sinusoid. AT
With hypokalemia cardiologists will observe a completely different picture - the tooth T flattenes and the amplitude of the U tooth increases. It is with the help of the cardiogram that the diagnosis of the disease is easiest to diagnose. Even a blood test is not always a confirmation of the disease. The fact is that with blood sampling, false hyperkalemia is often observed. Since the analysis is taken from the vein, it is a specific stress for the body, and potassium is secreted from the cells involuntarily into the intercellular space. Also, the cause of an increase in the amount of this macro-element in the blood can be a tourniquet superimposed on the arm, or too tight clothing.