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Hyperkalemia

From Simple English Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Hyperkalemia
Other namesHyperkalaemia
Electrocardiography showing precordial leads in hyperkalemia.
Pronunciation
Medical specialtyCritical care medicine, nephrology
SymptomsPalpitations, muscle pain, muscle weakness, numbness[1][2]
ComplicationsCardiac arrest[1][3]
CausesKidney failure, hypoaldosteronism, rhabdomyolysis, certain medications[1]
Diagnostic methodBlood potassium > 5.5 mmol/L, electrocardiogram[3][4]
Differential diagnosisPseudohyperkalemia[1][2]
TreatmentMedications, low potassium diet, hemodialysis[1]
MedicationCalcium gluconate, dextrose with insulin, salbutamol, sodium bicarbonate[1][3][5]
Frequency~2% (people in hospital)[2]

Hyperkalemia is a medical term to indicate that the level of potassium in the blood is too high. Depending on the level of potassium in the blood, this can be a medical emergency. A level that is too high can lead to abnormal hearth rhythms.

Many medications can cause hyperkalemia, and it is much more likely to occur in people kidney problems.

Although hyperkalemia often doesn't cause symptoms, doctors worry about hyperkalemia because it can cause a sudden change of heart rhythm in people who had not been having any symptoms. These abnormal heart rhythms can be deadly.

In the cases where death penalty is carried out using lethal injection, a hyperkalemia may be provoked atificially. Some of the mixtures used in the injections contain potassium chloride which will raise the level of potassium in the blood considerably.

References

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  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 Cite error: The named reference Leh2011 was used but no text was provided for refs named (see the help page).
  2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 Cite error: The named reference BMJ2015 was used but no text was provided for refs named (see the help page).
  3. 3.0 3.1 3.2 Cite error: The named reference EU2010 was used but no text was provided for refs named (see the help page).
  4. Cite error: The named reference Pat2006 was used but no text was provided for refs named (see the help page).
  5. Cite error: The named reference Sm2005 was used but no text was provided for refs named (see the help page).