Potassium Levels In Our Blood

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The below provides a general overview on this topic and may not apply to everyone. Any treatment protocol should be discussed with a qualified healthcare practitioner ... Please refer to: Medical & Legal Disclaimer.

Potassium is a vital mineral, which helps normalize the heartbeat, sends oxygen to the brain and regulates your body's water balance When we are stressed, our metabolic rate rises, thereby reducing our potassium levels.

Potassium Levels in Our Blood:

Normal potassium level in the blood:	3.5-5.0 milliequivalents per liter (mEq/L)
Mild hyperkalemia:	between 5.1 mEq/L to 6.0 mEq/L
Moderate hyperkalemia:	Potassium levels of 6.1 mEq/L to 7.0 mEq/L
Severe hyperkalemia:	Above 7 mEq/L

Low Potassium Levels:

Low potassium levels in our blood can be rebalanced with the help of a high-potassium snacks or supplements:

• Potassium-rich foods help your body maintain a normal balance between sodium and potassium, which in turn helps regulate blood pressure. The following are excellent choices: bananas, figs, avocados, beans, lentils, split peas, kale, Swiss chard, radicchio, arugula, papaya, pistachio nuts, butternut squash, mushrooms, cantaloupe and carrots

High Potassium (Hyperkalemia):

Hyperkalemia is a common condition; it is diagnosed in up to 8% of hospitalized patients in the U.S. Fortunately, most patients have mild hyperkalemia. It is important to treat the condition causing hyperkalemia to prevent it from progressing into a more severe hyperkalemia. True hyperkalemia is a serious and potentially life-threatening disorder.

Symptoms:

• Chronic fatigue
• Muscle fatigue / general weakness / paralysis
• Abnormal heart rhythms (arrhythmias) / cardiac arrest and death
• Severe hyperkalemia results in a mortality rate of about 67%.

Causes of high potassium (hyperkalemia):

• impaired kidney function, such as due to acute or chronic kidney failure
• medications, such as ACE inhibitors
• alcoholism or heavy drug use that causes a breakdown of muscle fibers resulting in the release of potassium into the bloodstream
• hormone deficiencies
• destruction of red blood cells due to severe injury
• excessive use of potassium supplements

Information contained on this website is provided as general reference only. For application to specific circumstances, professional advice should be sought.

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