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Potassium is a really important element for your body, and helps nerves to fire. Without sufficient quantities of it (a condition called hypokalaemia) you can develop cardiac inexcitability, slow movement, alkalosis confusion, coma and possibly even death.
That said, the body needs to regulate potassium very tightly, as too much (hyperkalaemia) can cause a racing heart rate, muscle spasms, acidosis and also death.
The body is well adapted to dealing with excess potassium. Much of it is stored in muscle cells, red blood cells and liver cells.
The kidney deals with much of the excretion of excess potassium. However, if it's damaged (for example, in chronic kidney disease) it can't do this as effectively, and potassium can build up in the blood, which can cause some the effects described earlier. It's not the high potassium itself that's likely to be doing the damage to the kidney, more that damaged kidneys cannot process potassium.
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∙ 14y ago
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What happens if you consume too much or too little protein?
too much protein can cause strain on the kidneys too much protein can cause strain on the kidneys
What is Sympthom of too much potassium?
A symptom (sometimes misspelled as sympthom) of too much potassium is slow or abnormal heart rate. Too much potassium can also cause weakness.
What prevents the pH of urine from becoming too acidic?
your kidneys buffer it, reabsorption of potassium and sodium
How much potassium in mangos?
too much
What happens when potassium is too high?
The first question would be to ask why the potassium is elevated. do you take a potassium supplement? Do you have trouble with your kidneys? What does your doctor say? There are drugs that will decrease potassium but they must be administered and monitored under the care of a physician.
How does potassium deficiency develop in the elderly?
Kidneys
What is one very interesting fact about potassium?
While it is very important to the healthy functioning of the body, it is very important it is expelled from the body as too much can result in rapid heart rate and heart attacks. It is expelled by the kidneys so if you have kidney problems, you have to be very careful about Potassium consumption.
Is it normal to have sore kidneys after drinking too much?
Yes
Can hot flushes be caused by too much potassium?
no
Which substance in the blood do the kidneys help regulate the concentration of?
Potassium
Kidneys help regulate the concentration of which substance in the blood?
potassium
Why is potassium important in maintaining sinus rhythm?
it helps ir kidneys
