The composition of the blood of the human body is very diverse. What substances you will not find there, and all are needed! One of such essential microelements is potassium, however, it contains very little in the bloodstream - about 2% of the total level. Its role is to support the work of the heart, it takes part in biochemical processes taking place in the brain and a number of organs.
Due to such a low level, its slightest deviation from the norm, for example, if potassium is increased in the blood of a child or an adult, can adversely affect the well-being and performance of the body.
Norm indicators
Before you figure out what might mean an excess of potassium, you should consider what should be its norm. Moreover, the indicators are different depending on the age of the person. In newborns, the norm is 3.7-5.9 mmol / L. In infants, the indicators are 4.1-5.3 mmol / L. And in adolescents (up to 14 years), the level of potassium should not be higher than 3.4-4.7 mmol / l. As for adults, the norm is the same for women and men - 3.5-5.5 mmol / l.
At the same time, based on the laboratory in which the blood test is carried out, these data may vary. Moreover, if the indicators are less than the lower acceptable limit, this indicates a lack of potassium in the body. This phenomenon is called hypokalemia. If the amount of trace element is significantly higher than normal, then this indicates an excess, or hyperkalemia. We now consider what the latter case may mean.
What does that mean?
Any loving parent will always care about such a moment: if potassium is increased in the blood of a child, what does this mean? In any case, if the level of this trace element is more than 5.6 mmol / l, this is regarded as hyperkalemia. But what kind of condition is this? As medical practice shows, this condition is diagnosed in 1-10% of all patients who have been hospitalized in clinics. And to understand this issue, you have to delve into the essence of what is happening. That is, consider the causes, determine the symptoms and understand the role that potassium plays in the human body.
Hyperkalemia can have several forms of manifestations and, depending on the severity, it can be:
- easy;
- medium;
- severe
- extremely severe.
The regulatory mechanisms in our body maintain the balance of potassium at an optimal level. But only with the condition that all its systems are in a healthy state and fully functioning. Together with food, potassium enters about 200 mmol, but at the same time, this does not indicate an increase in potassium in the blood of a child. The fact is that we owe this to our kidneys and hormones of the adrenal glands. Thanks to them, excess potassium is also excreted from the body, providing the mentioned optimal balance.
The role of potassium
As a rule, potassium is contained inside the cells and performs its main functions and tasks:
- Maintains water-salt, acid-base, osmotic balance at the optimal level.
- It takes part in the work of muscles, including the heart.
- The work of some enzymes is activated.
- Conductivity of nerve impulses improves.
- Supports kidney function.
- Regulates the intestines.
- Maintains pressure within normal limits.
The phenomenon when potassium in the blood of a child is elevated is what we now know is hyperkalemia. At the same time, the level of microelement depends on the amount of food consumed. It also affects the speed of its distribution throughout the body and the output from it. There is one curious point: inside us there simply is no special storage for potassium, as is the case with other trace elements.
In this regard, a deviation of the potassium level from the norm (and it does not matter, up or down) can lead to a serious disruption in the body as a whole.
Symptomatology
The role of potassium is difficult to overestimate, because it takes part in improving the functioning of many organs and systems. And thanks to the presence of this trace element in the body, the brain receives enough oxygen for proper functioning. And when the potassium level is within normal limits, the human body is full of strength and functions fully.
In the case of an increase in potassium in the blood of a child, the symptoms may be as follows:
- Muscle weakness.
- Impaired breathing.
- The spread of "goose bumps" throughout the body for no apparent reason.
- Numbness of the limbs.
In addition, hyperkalemia can be detected during an ECG, however, according to the doctors themselves, there are no clear signs on the cardiogram. What can cause an increase in the amount of potassium in our body?
In children, due to their mobility and emotionality, it is rather difficult for parents to diagnose excess potassium. All signs converge with the child's lifestyle. However, all mothers and fathers are well aware of the behavior and habits of their baby. And if any changes are noticed, you should carefully consider this. It is possible that the child has any health problems. For example, the baby has become overly mobile, too tearful or easily excitable, which is usually not typical for him.
Why does hyperkalemia occur?
With an increase in potassium in the blood of a child, the causes and consequences may be different. The main ones include the presence of diabetes mellitus, impaired renal function due to any disease. But besides this, an excess of potassium can occur when abusing products that contain this trace element.
In addition to renal, liver failure deserves special attention. If proper treatment is not carried out, the situation may be aggravated by a significant excess of the potassium norm in the body. Moreover, of the two conditions, the greatest danger is precisely the violation of the liver. Due to the accumulation of metabolic products, along with an excess of potassium, poisoning of the body occurs, which can result in death.
Another reason for the increase in potassium in the blood of a child may be stress. And it affects not only adults, but also children, especially those of school age. Although many practitioners are of the opinion that it affects the development of hyperkalemia only to a lesser extent.
Possible consequences
As we now know, an excess of potassium in the human body leads to many problems in the human body. But among all the complications, the greatest danger lies in the violation of the heart rhythm, which can be life-threatening. As a result, a critical condition known as ventricular fibrillation may occur.
At the same time, the lower sections only tremble quickly, but are no longer able to pump blood. The worst consequence of an increase in potassium in the blood of a child is cardiac arrest.
Potassium Level Adjustment Methods
Considering what the consequences may be from a high concentration of potassium, you should know how to adjust its level. In this case, it is necessary to prescribe treatment after passing a blood test with subsequent processing of the results. And the sooner a complaint about an altered state arrives, the better for the patient himself.
You can reduce the amount of potassium in the body using several methods, which we will disclose below. In addition, timely access to medical help will prevent the onset of more serious diseases (diabetes, for example).
Drug therapy
We got acquainted with the manifestations of increased potassium in the blood of a child, now it is important to begin treatment of this disease as soon as possible. The use of certain medications depends on the limits of exceeding the norm and the individual characteristics of the body. In addition to treating the underlying disease, which, in fact, causes an excess of potassium in the body, therapy is supplemented by mineralocorticoids and a special diet.
When the potassium level is more than 7.5 mmol / l, appropriate measures must be taken in a timely manner. Moreover, if the patient has previously taken drugs that include potassium or they contribute to the accumulation of this element, their use should be discontinued.
A 10% calcium gluconate solution is injected intravenously to prevent heart dysfunction. Its action occurs quickly (a few minutes) and lasts for an hour. However, if no effect is observed, the solution is reintroduced with the same dosage.
In addition, the treatment of increasing the potassium in the blood of a child is reduced to the fact that the element begins to enter the cells from the blood. To do this, glucose and insulin are introduced, but with diabetes, only the last, and quick action. Beta-2 adrenostimulants and sodium carbonate are also used for this purpose. Only the latter is contraindicated in chronic renal failure, as there may be an excess of sodium.
In addition, diuretics will help remove excess potassium from the body, of course, if the kidneys function normally.
Dieting
Since most of the potassium comes into our body from foods from our table, it is important to control the diet. A huge amount of potassium is contained in dried apricots - 1717 mg per 100 g! Also, the following products are also somewhat rich in this element:
- legumes (in white beans it is more, in peas less);
- potatoes;
- cabbage;
- spinach;
- melon;
- grapes;
- citrus;
- kiwi;
- bananas.
Dark chocolate and fish fillets (usually marine varieties) are also rich in potassium. It may not be possible to completely abandon their use, but at least it is worth reducing their amount in the diet. Try to dissuade the child from bananas! Yes, and this, in fact, is not recommended, otherwise a situation may arise that is the opposite of an increase in potassium in the blood of a child - hypokalemia.
By correctly composing the menu, you can significantly reduce the risk of developing hyperkalemia. But here the main thing is not only to observe the correct diet, it is important to undergo preventive examinations, which will reduce all risks to an absolute minimum or completely eliminate them.
Prevention is needed, prevention is important!
In addition to the traditional drug treatment, you can fight hyperkalemia with the help of certain herbs, or rather, use teas based on them. The recipe for almost any tea is general: 1 tsp is taken. herbs in a glass of boiling water and infused for a certain period of time:
- for leaves and flowers - 5-10 minutes;
- for roots - 10-20 minutes.
Use infusion should be 2 to 4 times a day. Pregnant and lactating women must first consult a doctor.
Just know that not all herbs are suitable. Some of them, on the contrary, instead of lowering the level of potassium (which is necessary in this case) increase it. These include alfalfa, medicinal dandelion, horsetail, dioica nettle.
In conclusion
At a subconscious level, each of us knows how important this microelement is, as well as the fact that an increase in potassium in the blood of a child (adults, this also applies) can have serious consequences. However, in reality, few people understand what its role is. And the whole point boils down to the fact that thanks to this element the human body is fully functioning. And for this, eating right is enough.