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How to Cure Hyperkalemia

Hyperkalemia is a condition characterized by an abnormal excess of potassium in the blood (levels greater than 5.0 milliequivalents per liter (mEq/L). Its primary causes are kidney dysfunction, adrenal gland diseases, certain medications, potassium supplements, potassium oozing out of the body's cells into the blood circulation (which is caused by certain conditions or medications) and dying cells from injury or disease. To cure hyperkalemia, you must reduce the potassium level in the blood. Mild hyperkalemia can be cured without hospitalization if it is not being caused by any other serious conditions. If hyperkalemia is severe and/or sudden, emergency treatment in the hosptital is necessary.

Things You'll Need

  • Doctor
  • Glucose
  • Insulin
  • Sodium bicarbonate
  • spironolactone
  • Triamterene
  • Trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole
  • Calcium
  • Albuterol
  • Epinephrine can lead potassium back into cells.
  • Cation-exchange resins
  • Water
  • Licorice
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Instructions

  1. Instructions

    • 1

      Limit your potassium intake. In mild cases of hyperkalemia, this might be all you need to do to cure the condition. Stop taking medications or vitamin supplements that increase blood potassium levels. Medications that increase potassium are ACE inhibitors, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), Angiotensin II Receptor Blockers (ARBs) and certain diuretics.

    • 2

      Get the appropriate injection. An injection of glucose and insulin or sodium bicarbonate may be administered if the cause of your hyperkalemia is a shifting of potassium from your cells into your blood. This shot helps move the potassium back into your cells. A diurectic injection of spironolactone (brand name Aldactone), triamterene (brand name Dyrenium) and trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (brand name Bactrim) will lower the total potassium stored up by increasing excretion in the urine. An injection of calcium protects the heart and muscles from the negative effects of hyperkalemia (abnormal heart rhythms and muscle paralysis) in order to enable further treatment.

    • 3

      Take the appropriate medications. Beta-2 energetic receptor stimulators like albuterol and epinephrine can lead potassium back into cells. Taking cation-exchange resins causes potassium to be reduced because it gets excreted through the gastrointestinal tract.

    • 4

      Undergo dialysis if the other treatments don't work or if the diagnosed cause of hyperkalemia is kidney failure.

    • 5

      Treat the underlying cause of hyperkalemia. If the above steps fail, the cause of your hyperkalemia must be diagnosed and treated accordingly.

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