Hyperkalemia history and symptoms
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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-In-Chief: Priyamvada Singh, M.B.B.S. [2]
Overview
Hyperkalemia (AE) or Hyperkalaemia (BE) is an elevated blood level (above 5.0 mmol/L) of the electrolyte potassium. The prefix hyper- means high (contrast with hypo-, meaning low). The middle kal refers to kalium, which is Latin for potassium. The end portion of the word, -emia, means "in the blood". Extreme degrees of hyperkalemia are considered a medical emergency due to the risk of potentially fatal arrhythmias.
History and Symptoms
History
Often, however, the problem is detected during screening blood tests for a medical disorder, or it only comes to medical attention after complications have developed, such as cardiac arrhythmia or sudden death.
During the medical history taking, a doctor will dwell on kidney disease and medication use, as these are the main causes. The combination of abdominal pain, hypoglycemia and hyperpigmentation, often in the context of a history of other autoimmune disorders, may be signs of Addison's disease, itself a medical emergency.
- Dietary history - Diet with low sodium and rich in potassium such as
- Fruits, dried fruits, juices, banana and vegetables
- Diets recommended for patients with cardiac disease, hypertension, and diabetes mellitus
- Potassium supplements in herbal supplements, salt substitutes
- Medications history (drugs causing a decreased excretion of potassium)
- Potassium-sparing diuretics, especially popular in the treatment of cirrhosis and congestive heart failure
- Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs
- Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors
- Angiotensin receptor blockers
- Cyclosporine or tacrolimus
- Antibiotics, such as pentamidine or trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole
- Medical history
- Renal failure
- Diabetes mellitus
- Sickle cell disease or trait
- Urinary tract obstruction - Type IV renal tubular acidosis, also called hyperkalemic renal tubular acidosis. It can be seen with polycystic kidney disease, amyloidosis and diabetes mellitus
Symptoms
Symptoms are fairly nonspecific and may include
- Malaise
- Palpitations
- Muscle weakness
- Mild breathlessness may indicate metabolic acidosis, one of the settings in which hyperkalemia may occur.
References
Template:Endocrine, nutritional and metabolic pathology