How to Treat High Potassium

Potassium is an important dietary mineral that helps to regulate muscle tissue. It also plays an important roll in digestion and metabolism, and in helping the body maintain a working balance between various electrical and chemical processes that go on inside the body. Too much potassium in the blood can have severe repercussion however, including muscle weakness, irregular heart rhythm and even cardiac arrest.

Instructions

• 1

  Have the condition properly diagnosed by a qualified physician. High potassium in the blood, also known as hyperkalemia, does not typically result in visible symptoms unless potassium levels are exceptionally elevated or have risen very quickly. Diagnosis is usually made through a combination of blood tests and heart monitoring tests such as an electrocardiogram.

• 2

  Determine whether there is an underlying cause of the high level of potassium. This condition can be a symptom or result of a number of other medical conditions, including kidney failure, burns, gastrointestinal bleeding, excess potassium supplementation, lupus, a traumatic injury, tumors or a number of other conditions. Consult your physician about treating the underlying causes as well as the hyperkalemia.

• 3

  Treat severe cases of high potassium by administration of certain medications such as calcium gluconate or insulin through an IV in a hospital setting. Reaction to these procedures can range from immediate to several hours. Observation and repetition of these procedures may be necessary.

• 4

  Institute a low-potassium diet for long-term treatment of hyperkalemia. Consider replacing any medications that may contribute to high blood potassium with a different medication if possible. Daily medication with a maintenance drug such as fludrocortisone may be recommended.