What is Potassium? Potassium High and Low

Potassium is an alkali metal with atomic number 19 and symbol K, located in the 1st group, 4th period of the periodic table. It is a soft and solid element. It is active in water and is found passive in nature. Therefore, it loses its properties in contact with air. It is not produced by the body and is taken with food as ready-made from the outside. Approximately 98-99% of the potassium mineral is found inside the cell. 80% of this is in muscle cells. Its rate is higher in some tissues, such as liver, bone, skeletal muscles.

What is Potassium?

Potassium; It takes part in the functions of enzymes, cell division and growth, DNA synthesis, balancing heart functions and blood pressure, regulation of reflexes, proper functioning of the heart, prevention of edema formation, acid and base balance, and fluid-electrolyte balance. The most important task of potassium in the body is to work in correlation with Na (sodium) metal and to provide the body's fluid and electrolyte balance. Absorption of potassium element is from the small intestine, and its excretion from the body is through the kidneys. In the medical language, high potassium is called hyperkalemia and low is called hypokalemia. High or low potassium as a result of nutrition or chromosomal disorder may pose a risk to human health. It can even lead to permanent problems.

What is High Potassium?

In cases where high potassium, potassium shifts out of the cell, excessive potassium intake or low potassium excretion from the body, kidneys do not function properly It is possible. Exercising for a long time, burns and injuries can result in elevated potassium levels in the blood. Consuming foods rich in potassium and taking potassium drugs can also increase the level of potassium. Drugs and diseases that increase the potassium level in the blood can be listed as follows:

• Antibiotics
• NSAIDS group drugs (Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) )
• Cortisone
• Heparin
• Beta - blocker
• Digoxin
• Succinylcholine
• Insulin
• Kidney failure
• Diabetes
• Infections
• Addison's disease (Adrenal insufficiency)

Which Foods Contain Potassium?

Individuals who follow a regular and balanced diet do not usually need potassium. Black grapes, potatoes, prunes, prunes Potassium-rich foods such as bears, figs, blackberries, peas, artichokes, zucchini, bananas, spinach, salmon, lentils, beans, avocados, tomatoes, grapefruit, figs, kiwis, blackberries, carrots and beets. According to research, consuming foods rich in potassium prevents the risk of hypertension. In case of hyperkalemia, foods with high potassium content are recommended to be consumed after first slicing vegetables or fruits and soaking them in water for 2 hours in order to reduce the potassium level. If it is desired to be stored for a longer time, this water is changed every 4 hours.

What are the Symptoms of High Potassium?

Symptoms of high potassium in the body usually appear late. The body can balance the potassium level for a while, but when the blood level is 6.5 mmol and above, difficulty in breathing, irregular heartbeat, muscle cramps or paralysis may be observed. Some of the symptoms of potassium elevation can be listed as follows:

• Fatigue
• Weakness
• Vomiting
• Arrhythmia
• Hands and feet numbness
• Loss of consciousness
• Hand, arm and leg muscle weakness
• Heart palpitations
• Nausea
• Diarrhea
• Kidney stones
• Kidney failure

What Should Not Be Eaten with High Potassium

In the treatment of high potassium, first of all, potassium should be considered. It is recommended not to consume rich foods. Foods to be avoided are potatoes, cocoa, coffee, offal products, legumes and vegetables. If there is no significant change in potassium level as a result of these, the person can be referred to the dialysis process by the physician. Dialysis cleans the blood. If the amount of potassium is high, it can cause health problems that can seriously affect vital functions such as respiratory failure, irregularity in the respiratory tract, rhythm disorders in the heart and the formation of high amounts of toxic substances in the heart.

What is Low Potassium?

Potassium deficiency, called hypokalemia, means that the potassium level in the blood drops below 3.5 mmol. It is critical that this value falls below 2.5 mmol. The reason for low potassium is potassium shift into the cell, lack of potassium-rich diet, excessive excretion of potassium from the kidneys. and/or excessive excretion from the intestines. Some of the conditions that can cause low potassium are as follows:

• Excessive use of alcohol
• Excessive use of constipation medication
• Magnesium deficiency
• Excessive secretion of aldosterone hormone
• Renal diseases
• Excessive coffee consumption
• Excessive intake of diuretics
• Eating too much
• Vomiting

What are the Symptoms of Potassium Low?

Potassium regulates the functions of cells, tissues and organs. As long as the blood value does not fall below 3 mmol, individuals usually do not have symptoms. Chronic diseases may develop in diet types where potassium intake is lower than salt intake. Some of the symptoms that may develop due to low potassium are:

• Irregularity of the heartbeat
• Hypertension
• Digestive system disorders
• Vomiting
• Nausea
• Fatigue
• Cramps in the leg and arm muscles
• Weakness
• Myalgia
• Muscle weakness
• Difficulty breathing
• Frequent urination
• Thirst

It is very difficult to diagnose because these symptoms are also similar to diabetes symptoms. Potassium-poor foods can be listed as apple, cranberry, pear, watermelon, asparagus, broccoli, cabbage, eggplant, pepper, tea, chestnut, onion, lettuce, and black cabbage. Potassium can be given via the intravenous (oral) or IV (intravenous) route. In potassium deficiency, the person is usually administered potassium gluconate orally and potassium chloride intravenously. The most common side effects of these drugs are; hypotension can be seen as numbness in the arms and legs, fading in skin color, and deterioration in heart rhythm. Considering the side effects, the use of these drugs should be under the supervision of a physician. In addition, foods rich in potassium can be consumed. If the patient has a drug use that may cause potassium deficiency, it can be discontinued depending on the situation. Potassium deficiency caused by diarrhea or vomiting should be avoided. If potassium deficiency is not treated, serious complications may occur.

Potassium Value Ka Should it be?

Potassium is a very important mineral for the body and the potassium value of an adult usually varies between 3500 - 4000 mmol. Plasma potassium value between 3.5-5 mmol is considered normal. Potassium is measured with a blood or urine test. The minimum amount of potassium that an adult should take daily is 2 grams. The amount sufficient for the body in adults is 4.7 grams. It is known as 400 mg in 0-6 month old babies, 700 mg in 7-12 month old babies, 3000 mg between 1-3 years old, 3800 mg between 4-8 years old, 4500 mg between 9-13 years old.

Pregnant women The amount of potassium required for daily intake is the same as for adults, but the need for potassium increases in lactating women and this value is 5.1 grams. Monitoring the potassium value during pregnancy is important for the health of both the mother and the baby.

High or low potassium is of vital importance. It is easier to treat with early diagnosis. When one or more of the above symptoms are seen, or in the abnormal potassium value seen in the routine blood test, it is necessary to apply to the emergency department of a hospital equipped with specialist physicians. The unconscious use of potassium drugs poses a great risk and can seriously harm your health. These damages can be seen as kidney failure, kidney stones, heart attack, stroke, nervous and respiratory system disorders. For this reason, it is recommended to take the drugs regularly under the supervision of a physician. We wish you healthy days.

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