Stress and normal function of neuromuscles; Maintain the normal function of the myocardium; Maintain normal acid-base balance inside and outside the cell; Lower blood pressure, so ensuring normal blood potassium is important for the body.
Potassium is basically consumed through diet, 2-4 grams per day for normal people; 80% - 90% will be absorbed in the small intestine, and the rest will be excreted with feces; "90% of the potassium metabolized by the body is excreted through the kidneys, and a small amount is also excreted from the skin, which increases during sweating.".
The kidney is an important organ that regulates potassium in the body. When the kidney loses its function, potassium loses its regulation, resulting in high blood potassium and low blood potassium, both of which are fatal.
The main reasons for the formation of hyperkalemia are: increased intake; Decreased renal excretion can result in loss of excretion function; Acidosis; Hemolysis; Blood transfusion; Tissue trauma, etc. "However, hyperkalemia usually does not occur when the kidneys function normally, but if the kidneys fail, strict precautions should be taken against hyperkalemia.". The main symptoms of hyperkalemia include numbness in limbs, weakness, general paralysis, bradycardia, sudden cardiac arrest, and death.
For dialysis patients, it is necessary to pay attention to the following aspects to prevent hyperkalemia: Adequate and regular dialysis is a solid guarantee because potassium is ingested from the diet every day, and dialysis is the main excretory channel. If this channel cannot be guaranteed, it can be dangerous; Dietary control is the foundation, limiting the intake of high potassium foods, especially concentrated consumption of high potassium foods such as bananas, watermelons, etc., can cause excessive blood potassium in a short time. In addition to fruits, many vegetables also have high levels of potassium, as do potatoes, tomatoes, sweet potatoes, mung beans, and mushrooms. It is important to pay attention to the amount of potassium consumed.
The potassium excretion function of the intestinal tract and skin plays a small role in normal people, but it is also important for us to keep the intestinal tract unblocked and allow the unabsorbed potassium to pass out of the body, preventing it from being re absorbed, allowing ourselves to sweat more. The effect of potassium excretion with sweat is still very good.
In addition to ingestion and excretion, potassium can enter and exit cells and have an impact on the body. Dialysis patients will have varying degrees of acidosis, which can exacerbate the degree and symptoms of hyperkalemia. Therefore, it is necessary to prevent and treat acidosis. Usually, sodium bicarbonate is mainly consumed, and dialysis can also improve. In fact, it is relatively easy to control blood potassium. Frequently conduct laboratory tests, keep your mouth shut, and timely grasp your own blood potassium status.
In addition to hyperkalemia, some dialysis patients may experience hypokalemia, mainly due to strict restrictions on potassium containing foods, inability to eat or difficulty in eating. Dialysis may still take away some potassium, resulting in hypokalemia. The main manifestations of hypokalemia are muscle weakness, paralysis, heart rate abnormalities, nausea, vomiting, intestinal paralysis, and obstruction, which can lead to respiratory failure in severe cases. Hypokalemia mainly occurs in elderly people, eating difficulties, and those who strictly restrict eating.
Prevention of hypokalemia mainly involves dietary intake, with appropriate intake of foods rich in potassium. High potassium dialysate can be used during dialysis, which can be basically prevented.
Potassium is very important to the body and plays a significant role in maintaining the normal functioning of the body, so maintaining a normal level of potassium in the body is also something we must do, because a moment of neglect can lead to very serious consequences and may permanently lose the opportunity to correct.