What are the symptoms of hyperkalemia and how to treat it?

Potassium is an important element in the body and is necessary for maintaining life. Therefore, potassium needs to be maintained at a constant value. Too much potassium or not enough potassium can cause abnormal conditions in the body. For example, high potassium levels are called hyperkalemia. So, what are the symptoms of hyperkalemia? How to treat it?

symptom:

Often masked by the primary disease. The main symptoms are extreme fatigue, muscle weakness, cold extremities, disappearance of tendon reflexes, and central nervous system symptoms such as slow movements and drowsiness may also occur. Dull heart sounds, slow heart rate, premature ventricular contractions, atrioventricular block, ventricular fibrillation, or cardiac arrest.

Treatment options:

First of all, the cause should be corrected and the source of potassium should be reduced: such as stopping the use of potassium-containing foods or drugs; providing a high-sugar and high-fat diet or using intravenous nutrition to ensure sufficient calories and reduce the potassium released by metabolism in the body; clearing blood or necrotic tissue in the body; avoiding the use of stored blood; reducing infection and reducing cell decomposition. Treat dehydration, acidosis, etc.

The degree of serum potassium elevation and clinical manifestations of the patient determine the treatment plan.

Treatment of mildly elevated serum potassium (5-6 mEq/L): mainly to promote the excretion of serum potassium, ① diuretics, such as furosemide 40-80 mg intravenous injection; ② ion exchange resin.

Treatment of moderately elevated blood potassium (6-7 mEq/L): mainly transfer blood potassium into cells, ① glucose plus appropriate amount of insulin; ② sodium bicarbonate, but it should be used in combination for patients with renal failure.

Treatment of serum potassium >7 mEq/L accompanied by significant ECG changes: while transferring serum potassium into cells, promote the excretion of serum potassium. ① 10% calcium chloride 5-10 ml intravenous injection for more than 2-5 minutes; ② Sodium bicarbonate 50 mEq intravenous injection for more than 5 minutes, but the effect is poor for patients with renal failure; ③ Glucose 25 g plus insulin 10 U intravenous injection for 10-30 minutes; ④ Furosemide; ⑤ Hemodialysis.