Hyperkalemia facts for kids
Hyperkalemia is a medical term that means the level of potassium in the blood is too high. Potassium is a very important mineral that helps your body work correctly. When there's too much potassium, it can become a serious problem, sometimes even a medical emergency.
Contents
What is Hyperkalemia?
Hyperkalemia happens when there's too much potassium in your bloodstream. Potassium is an electrolyte, which is a type of mineral that has an electric charge. Electrolytes help your body's cells, especially nerve and muscle cells, work properly.
Why is Potassium Important?
Potassium plays a big role in many body functions. It helps your:
- Heart beat steadily
- Muscles contract and relax
- Nerves send signals
- Kidneys filter waste
Having the right amount of potassium is key for your body to stay healthy.
What Causes High Potassium?
Several things can lead to hyperkalemia. The most common causes include:
- Kidney problems: Your kidneys are like filters for your body. They help remove extra potassium. If your kidneys aren't working well, they might not be able to get rid of enough potassium, causing it to build up.
- Certain medicines: Some medications can make your body hold onto more potassium. Doctors always check for this when prescribing these drugs.
- Other health issues: Less commonly, other conditions can also cause potassium levels to rise.
What Happens When Potassium is Too High?
Even though hyperkalemia often doesn't cause any noticeable symptoms, doctors take it very seriously. This is because high potassium can suddenly affect your heart. It can lead to:
- Abnormal heart rhythms: Your heart might start beating in a strange or irregular way.
- Serious heart problems: In severe cases, these abnormal rhythms can be very dangerous and even life-threatening.
Because it can be so serious without warning signs, doctors often check potassium levels with a simple blood test, especially if someone has kidney problems or is taking certain medicines.
Images for kids
-
An ECG of a person with a potassium of 5.7 showing large T waves and small P waves
See also
In Spanish: Hiperpotasemia para niños
