Potassium Levels Health Advice | How To Lower Potassium Levels

Low level of potassium is required in those with kidney disease. When the ability to excrete potassium in the urine is impaired, hyperkalaemia may develop, particularly if large amount of potassium are released from cells or if the intake of the ion is restricted. It is therefore common in severe circulatory failure and in established acute renal failure. The plasma potassium is often high in severe untreated diabetic ketoacidosis despite an overall deficit of ion.
Lack of insulin, metabolic acidosis and increased extra-cellular fluid tonicity all reduce cellular uptake of potassium and contraction of the volume.

Chronic renal failure can also cause increased level of potassium.

Symptoms Of High Potassium Levels

• Person with high potassium level will have muscular weakness which may progress to flaccid paralysis with loss of tendon reflexes.
• Abdominal distension can occur. Tingling sensation in face, hands and feet is common.
• Cardiac disturbances are often the first and only manifestation of increased potassium and can cause cardiac arrest.

How To Reduce Potassium Levels?

1. Potassium is present in all vegetables, especially green leafy vegetables. Thick white potato peelings are rich in it. Bananas are also excellent source of potassium. So these things should be avoided.
   Sodium and calcium loaded resins which absorb potassium in the intestine should be taken. There is lots of potassium in fruits and vegetables and almost none in processed foods.
2. Diuretic usually helps in this condition. Herbal tea made from corn-silk is very useful for increasing the urine flow and restoring kidneys. Watermelon, parsley and celery seeds and seeds of pumpkin have also diuretic properties.
3. Oral glucose should be administered.
4. Any deficit of sodium and water should be replaced with salt and sugar water to restore circulation.
5. There is relatively very little problem from excess of potassium in the diet except for one condition i.e. kidney problem.
6. If the above given methods fail or if the rise of concentration of potassium is rapid, removal of potassium by peritoneal dialysis or by blood-dialysis is indicated.

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