What causes hyperkalemia?

Hyperkalemia may result from excessive intake of high-potassium foods, cell damage after intense exercise, chronic kidney disease, heart failure, adrenal insufficiency, and other conditions. It can be improved through dietary adjustments, rest, medication, and treatment targeting the underlying cause. If symptoms such as limb weakness, palpitations, or chest tightness occur, immediate medical attention is required.

1. Excessive intake of high-potassium foods: Consuming large amounts of high-potassium foods—such as bananas, kelp, and spinach—in a short period may exceed the kidney's capacity to excrete potassium, leading to elevated blood potassium levels. It is recommended to reduce intake of high-potassium foods, choose low-potassium alternatives, control total daily potassium intake, and prevent potassium accumulation.

2. Cell damage after intense exercise: High-intensity exercise can damage muscle cells, causing a large release of intracellular potassium ions into the bloodstream, resulting in a temporary increase in blood potassium. It is advised to rest adequately after exercise, drink sufficient fluids to support metabolism, and avoid engaging in high-intensity exercise again in the short term.

3. Chronic kidney disease: Reduced kidney filtration and excretion function impairs the body’s ability to eliminate excess potassium ions, leading to persistently elevated blood potassium levels, often accompanied by edema, proteinuria, and increased blood pressure. It is recommended to use medications such as sodium polystyrene sulfonate powder, sodium polystyrene sulfonate tablets, and furosemide injection under medical guidance to alleviate symptoms.

4. Heart failure: Impaired cardiac pumping function affects renal circulation and potassium excretion, leading to potassium retention, along with symptoms such as dyspnea, fatigue, and lower limb edema. Medications such as torasemide injection, bumetanide injection, and sodium bicarbonate injection may be used under medical supervision to improve symptoms.

5. Adrenal cortical insufficiency: Insufficient secretion of adrenal cortical hormones reduces the body's ability to excrete potassium, resulting in elevated blood potassium levels, commonly accompanied by fatigue, decreased appetite, and skin pigmentation. Symptoms should be managed with medications such as hydrocortisone injection, dexamethasone injection, and fludrocortisone cream as prescribed by a physician.

Daily care should follow a low-potassium diet principle, involve balanced food selection, moderate fluid intake to promote metabolism, avoidance of self-administered potassium supplements, regular monitoring of blood potassium levels, and maintenance of overall health.