Abnormal Levels of Calcium, Potassium or Sodium

Abnormal levels of calcium, potassium and/or sodium have a variety of symptoms, causes and treatments. Their abnormal levels are often due to organ failures or medications. Change to a regular diet is a partial treatment for hypercalcemia and hyperkalemia. However, more invasive procedures are required for some cases. For all minerals, normal levels are most desirable.

Hypercalcemia

• According to the Cleveland Clinic, abnormally high levels of calcium, or hypercalcemia, have several causes including hyperparathyroidism, chronic and acute renal failure, vitamin D intoxication, Thiazides and congenital lactase deficiency. Symptoms include depression, headaches, polyuria, constipation, and fractures. Treatment of hypercalcemia depends on its cause. If it is hyperparathyroidism, then the treatment is the removal of abnormal parathyroid tissue. Hypercalcemia patients should not allow calcium in their diets.

Hypocalcemia

• According to the Cleveland Clinic, abnormally low levels of calcium, or hypocalcemia, has several causes including hypoparathyroidism, vitamin D deficiency, hyperphosphatemia from renal failure or tumor lysis and chemotherapies. Symptoms may include seizures, dementia, muscle stiffness, hypotension and others. Hypocalcemia can lead to more significant problems, therefore treatment of it is important. The initial treatment includes receiving calcium intravenously. Subsequent at home treatment includes calcium and vitamin D pills. If the underlying cause of the hypocalcemia is treatable, then doctors should treat that as well.

Hyperkalemia

• According to Medline Plus, causes of high potassium levels, or hyperkalemia, are acute or chronic kidney failure, some medications, adrenal failure or alcoholism. Hyperkalemia can cause several problems, including muscle fatigue, overall weakness, paralysis, heart arrhythmias and nausea. If diagnosed with hyperkalemia, treatment includes reducing the patient's potassium intake and potential dialysis. There are also medications that can help your body to excrete extra potassium. The best treatment for reducing potassium levels is treating its cause.

Hypokalemia

• Hypokalemia is abnormally low levels of potassium. According to Medline Plus, causes of hypokalemia include some medications, diarrhea, kidney diseases, eating disorders and excessive sweating. Heart arrhythmias, constipation, fatigue, muscle weakness and paralysis are symptoms of hypokalemia. For minor cases, basic treatment of hypokalemia includes oral potassium supplements. The use of intravenous potassium is reserved for more severe cases. If your hypokalemia is caused by excessive amounts of the thyroid hormone, then treatment is aimed at reducing the excess of the thyroid hormone.

Abnormal Sodium Levels

• According to Medline Plus, causes of high sodium levels are excessive fluid loss from "sweating, diarrhea, use of diuretics, or burns." Other causes are diabetes, low vasopressin levels, hyperaldosteronism, Cushing syndrome or an improper diet. Causes of low sodium levels include dehydration, vomiting, diarrhea, overdiuresis, ketonuria, high vasopressin levels, hypothyroidism, Addison's disease, or congestive heart failure. Treatment for abnormal sodium levels includes diets with the appropriate amount of sodium, as well as treatment for any underlying cause of the abnormal levels.