Potassium is a vital element in our bodies. Without it, we could not exist. It is responsible for key body functions such as keeping the heart pumping, muscle contraction, and gut digestion, among others. However, too much potassium in the body is dangerous. High potassium concentration in the body is known as hyperkalemia, which affects heartbeat muscles interfering with the process of pumping blood.
It can also affect breathing. It is vital to recognize the signs of high potassium at an early stage for treatments. While some do not show signs, the majority will show the following signs:
1. Weakness of the muscles
Excess amount of potassium in your bloodstream has a downside effect on heart muscles as well as all body muscles. If you have high potassium, you will experience muscle fatigue and general weakness. Also, you will feel exhausted as muscles will stop functioning properly. Your muscles will become dull and experience some pain. Some of the activities you used to do comfortably will become difficult.
2. Excessive vomiting
The presence of high potassium in your bloodstream affects the digestive system. It hinders the bowel movement inhibiting the complete emptying of waste from the body. Thus, people suffering from hyperkalemia show signs of nausea, stomach aches, and vomiting. Also, it causes diarrhea for some patients.
3. Difficulty in breathing
The high presence of potassium in the bloodstream affects the muscles that aids and controls breathing. Also, as said earlier, it affects the rate at which the heart pumps blood. This means that the muscles that control breathing receive less oxygen, making them unable to function properly. Therefore, you experience difficulty in breathing and shortness of breath. If you don’t take medications for high potassium lokelma, you may die due to suffocation. It is, therefore, important to seek medical attention as soon as possible.
4. Numbness
One of the side effects of high potassium in the bloodstream is that it affects the nervous system. Nerves are vital in the functioning of every body organ as they send a signal to the brain. The brain, in turn, communicates to the responsible body organ. However, excess potassium kills the nerves affecting how they function. At first, you gradually develop the general body numbness or a feeling of tingling. Some of the vital body parts may lose their ability to function if it goes untreated for a long time.
5. Irregular heartbeat
This is the most serious risk of having a high potassium level in the blood. Imagine what happens if the muscles controlling the heartbeats are damaged. Your heart will either beat too fast or too slow. You then develop chest pain and heart palpitations. If left untreated for long, it can lead to heart failure. Irregular heartbeats can make you feel a lot of pressure in your chest that passes to your neck and arms. You can also experience symptoms like cold sweat, dizziness, and heartburn when having irregular heartbeats. If you experience any of these symptoms, seek urgent medical attention.
