What do I need to know about the surface of the potassium?
potassium levels are important for various reasons. Potassium is both electrolyte and mineral and helps to regulate the balance of mineral water in the body as well as the function of nerves and muscles. Potassium is closely related to sodium levels. When the sodium levels in the body rise, the potassium drops. When sodium levels drop, potassium increases.
Aldosterone, the hormone produced by the adrenal gland, also affects the level of potassium in the body. Another factor that can contribute to the fluctuations of potassium levels is kidney disease. Some kidney conditions may endanger the kidney's ability to regulate potassium. Finally, diseases that lead to extreme vomiting or diarrhea, such as flu or food poisoning, can cause potassium levels to change.
The symptoms of too large or not sufficient potassium in the body are similar. Abnormal potassium levels can lead to muscle weakness and convulsions, frequent urination, dehydration, blood pressure drop, confusion and problems with the rhythm of your heart. Low potassium levels are more common than high HLADiny.
Your family doctor can check the potassium level using a simple blood test. While the chances of side effects from the blood test are small, some people experience bruises at a test point or flebitis. Plebitis is a condition where the vein that was used to draw blood after the procedure. Flebitis can be unpleasant, but is easy to treat with warm compression.
If you are taking blood thinning medicines such as warfarin, aspirin or blood pressure medicine, it is important to mention it to a person who takes a blood test. These drugs increase the amount of time that takes the clotting of your blood after a blood test. Depending on the reason for medication, your doctor may recommend that you interrupt their use a few days before the procedure.
Some medicines may affect the result of your test. You want to get an accurate assessment of potassium levels, tell a person who completes the laboratory if you are taking DODs DRaslík, antibiotics, heparin, insulin, glucose or steroids. Medicines for high blood pressure and heart disease can also affect the outcome of this blood test. Finally, if you regularly take over the counter of non -steroidal anti -inflammatory (NSAIDs) or laxatives, it is important to ensure that this is recorded using a blood test.
Low or high potassium can be a sign of serious health or passable medical problem. Regardless of the reason for fluctuations of potassium levels, permanent heart damage can. If you believe that potassium levels are not to the right extent, your family doctor is required. The blood test that detects potassium level problems is easily accessible and the results are usually available the following day.