First of all, it is important to know that the potassium It is a mineral that we all need for the proper functioning of the body. However, your rate should remain in the norm. The kidneys are responsible for eliminating excess potassium in the blood. The reasons that prevent the correct elimination of the mineral and cause its accumulation are multiple: this disorder is known as hyperkalemia.
In this way, it is considered that the level of potassium it is too high when it exceeds 5,5 millimoles per liter in blood plasma. Thanks to a blood test, the level of potassium in the blood can be checked.
One of the causes of increased potassium may be a reduction in globules Red, due to the destruction of its cell membrane, for example in cases of hemolytic anemia.
Likewise, burns and injury serious They can prevent the kidneys from getting rid of enough potassium and therefore from building up in the blood. In certain cases, the increase in the potassium level can be due to serious infections.
On the other hand, certain drugs diuretics or by blood pressure they can cause an increase of potassium to an excessive level. For this reason, if in the blood test the potassium level remains high, and that a drug of this type is taken, the doctor must be informed.
All the enfermedades kidney They can also be directly related to increased levels of potassium in the blood, because if the kidneys cannot perform their blood filtering function properly, the excess of this mineral cannot be eliminated. Special attention should also be paid to patients undergoing dialysis.
La Addison's disease it may be a possible reason for the increased potassium level, because this condition causes insufficient production of hormones by the adrenal glands. Increased potassium can therefore be one of the symptoms of this disease.