How to Lower Potassium Level in the Kidneys ?

How to Lower Potassium Level in the Kidneys

Overview

Potassium is a mineral found in food. It plays a role in maintaining a regular heartbeat and is involved in regulating muscle tissue. If potassium level is too high, it can cause an irregular heartbeat or a heart attack. The kidneys typically remove excess potassium for the body. Hyperkalemia occurs when the potassium level is in excess in the bloodstream. Certain kidney disorders can reduce the kidney's ability to rid the body of excess potassium. Some conditions that may cause hyperkalemia include acute kidney failure, chronic kidney failure, glomerulonephritis, obstructive uropathy and rejection of a kidney transplant.

Step 1

Make an appointment with your physician to order bloodwork to help diagnose high potassium. Having a potassium level of greater than 6.0mEq/L can be dangerous and requires immediate treatment. The physician will assess and recommend treatment based on your diagnosis and potassium level.

Step 2

Acute treatment of hyperkalemia may include medications prescribed by your physician. Cation-exchange resins medications cause potassium to be removed from the gastrointestinal tract. Diuretic medications decrease total body potassium. Sodium bicarbonate helps reverse hyperkalemia caused by acidosis. Dialysis reduces total potassium levels when in kidney failure.

Step 3

Limit foods in the diet that are high in potassium. The portion size of a serving is a 1/2 cup unless otherwise stated. High potassium foods that should be portion-controlled include bananas--which should be limited to 1/2 serving--dried fruits, orange juice, baked beans, cooked broccoli, carrots, greens--except kale--squash, potatoes, 2 oz. of chocolate, granola, 2 tbsp. peanut butter and yogurt. Also avoid salt substitutes, salt-free broth and chewing tobacco.

Step 4

High-potassium vegetables can be leached if needed in the diet. To leach potatoes, sweet potatoes, carrots, beets and rutabagas, peel and place the vegetable in cold water. Slice the vegetable 1/8 inch thick. Rinse the vegetable in warm water for a few seconds. Soak the vegetables in warm water for two hours. Rinse the vegetables under warm water for a few seconds then cook the vegetable with five times the amount of water to the amount of vegetable.

source : livestronge.com