I need to know the dangers/complications that are possible if one has excess potassium in their system.?
147520
People with excessive potassium, medical term as hyperkalemia, are usually asymptomatic. Some may suffer from vague non-specific symptoms, such as vague symptoms nausea,  fatigue, muscle weakness, or tingling sensations. However, it is a potentially life-threatening illness that can lead to sudden death from cardiac arrhythmias and asystole in severe cases.\n\nHowever, except in uncommon conditions (e.g. direct intravenous potassium injection, rhabdomyosis, tumor lysis of lymphoma or other malignancy after chemotherapy), normal individual with NORMAL renal function (urine is the major source for potassium excretion) very rarely become hyperkalemic due to excessive ORAL intake. However, people with renal failure is restricted to limited amount of daily potassium intake.
179890
Take an overdose of potassium.
981013
Yes it can you should see your doctor as soon as possible, if you believe your potassium levels are low. So he/she can do blood tests, and prescribe you the medication you need if required. \n\nLow Potassium Symptoms\n\nUsually the symptoms of low potassium are mild. At times they can be vague. Sometimes you may have more than one symptom involving the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, kidneys, muscles, heart, and nerves.\n\nWeakness, tiredness, or cramping in arm or leg muscles, sometimes severe enough to cause inability to move arms or legs due to weakness (much like a paralysis)\nTingling or numbness\nNausea or vomiting\nAbdominal cramping, bloating\nConstipation\nPalpitations (feeling your heart beat irregularly)\nPassing large amounts of urine or feeling very thirsty most of the time\nFainting due to low blood pressure\nAbnormal psychological behavior (depression, psychosis, delirium), confusion, or seeing or hearing things (hallucinations)
1027124
as quoted from Davis' Drug Guide for Nurses\n"Use cautiously in electrolye abnormalities (hypokalemia, hypercalcemia, and hypomagnesia may predispose to toxicity).\n\nHope that helps!
415859
It is certainly possible to have too much protein at one time. Some effects of excess protein include\n\n# Overreaction within the immune system\n\n# Liver dysfunction due to increased toxic residues\n\n# Loss of bone density, frailty of bones is due to calcium and glutamine being leached from bone and muscle tissue to balance increased acid intake from diet (blood pH is maintained at around 7.4). This effect is not present if intake of alkaline minerals (from fruits and vegetables, cereals are acidic as are proteins, fats are neutral) is high. In such cases, protein intake is anabolic to bone.
461791
Having too high a salt intake can be detrimental to your health (heart disease, blood pressure and more), as well as dehydrate you. But, if you drink TOO much water (like, A LOT), you can dilute the salts or minerals in your body, which is also detrimental to your health. \nIt's all about staying in balance. Luckily, our bodies usualy know how to do this even when we screw up...
1171576
I agree with Allie.  Excess or long-term laxative use can be dangerous, especially with someone who has other medical problems that risk can be increased with the use of laxatives.  Furthermore, you end up losing more fluids (water) than anything else which can cause problems within itself such as lowering your blood pressure too much which can lead to tiredness, dizziness, fainting, vomiting, and muscle weakness (due to electrolyte imbalance which is a very delicate system that directly or indirectly control all functions of the body).  As for your body, the major electrolytes are as follows: \nsodium (Na+) \npotassium (K+) \nchloride (Cl-) \ncalcium (Ca2+) \nmagnesium (Mg2+) \nbicarbonate (HCO3-) \nphosphate (PO42-) \nsulfate (SO42-) \n\nElectrolytes are important because they are what your cells (especially nerve, heart, muscle) use to maintain voltages across their cell membranes and to carry electrical impulses (nerve impulses, muscle contractions) across themselves and to other cells. Your kidneys work to keep the electrolyte concentrations in your blood constant despite changes in your body.\n\nNot only that, improperly laxative use can eventually make your colon lazy, which means you won't be able to "go" on your own without the use of more laxatives.  In other words, your body becomes dependent on laxative use and then you can't function normally without it.  I suggest you find another way to lose weight; preferably with a sensible diet and exercise.
737082
Potassium always helped me.. you need to eat bananas :D
155263
If you wanna know how hyperkalemia causes problems here it is:\nNormal serum potassium : 3.5 - 5.5 mmol/L\n\n> 5.5 mmol/L = hyperkalemia\n\nHyperkalemia = excess Sr. K i.e. excess potassium in extracellular fluid (fluid out side the cells- includess blood etc)\n\nExcess K in ECF ---> higher inward gradient ----> more K goes into the cell -----> hyperpolarises the cell ---> the cell takes longer or is not easily depolarised ----> so u get cardiac arrest, muscle paralysis, paralytic ileus, etc.
886721
Potassium is so reactive that it will combine with other elements. It is never found free in nature.  It is extracted from minerals like carnallite, langbeinite, polyhalite and sylvite
225863
No set rules on that.  The most important blood test would be potassium if you are on any diuretics or ACE inhibitors.  It really depends on your medical situation and the comfort level of both you and the phycisian.  Also, I bet insurance comapanies will not allow it too often.
1174733
he needs more potassium in his diet, also drink lots of mineral water in the evening...like Apollinaris etc.
428851
Salt. Your body cant process it in large quantities and it will end up poisoning you
97976
If you experience any of the following serious side effects, stop taking potassium chloride and seek emergency medical attention or contact your doctor immediately: \n      · an allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of the throat; swelling of the lips, tongue, or face; or hives); \n      · confusion; \n      · an irregular heartbeat; \n      · difficulty breathing; \n      · unusual fatigue, weakness, or heavy legs; \n      · abdominal pain or severe cramping; \n      · black, bloody, or tarry stools. \n •  Other, less serious side effects may be more likely to occur. Continue to take potassium chloride and talk to your doctor if you experience \n      · nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, or abdominal discomfort; \n      · a rash; \n      · slight tingling in the hands or feet; or \n      · anxiety. \n •  Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome.
335083
muscle spasms are a good indication.  Have your thyroid checked.  potassium is very important to thyroid function.
239984
In excess it can destroy your life. Check this website. you'll get your answers..
555283
its obvious that the patient has renal failure possibly chronic variety of which causes are  numerous but you are asking the cause of raised Potassium(K+) levels and that is simple because the kidney is no longer to get rid of the right amount of potassium from the blood that it used to hence you will find more K+ in blood than normal.