High Potassium Level 5.9 and Polycystic Kidney Disease

2014-08-15 06:08

PKD (Polycystic Kidney Disease) is a genetic problem regarding kidney, but once being affected by this illness, we will face various problems, not only about kidney. Potassium is an important microelement which plays a vital role in a healthy body. When kidney function is affected due to PKD, potassium level in blood fluctuates. Why is this? What does potassium level 5.9 mean for PKD patients?

Potassium level and Polycystic Kidney Disease

Polycystic Kidney Disease is a genetic kidney disorder that can cause cyst formation in kidney. PKD has no direct relationship with potassium level in blood, but it can cause fluctuation of potassium level by affecting kidney condition.

Kidney is an organ with bean-shape. It is very important for a healthy life not only because it can filter blood, but also as it can regulate blood pressure, maintain electrolyte balance and acid-base balance. In PKD, with the increase and enlargement of kidney cyst, more and more kidney tissues are damaged, leading to gradual decline of kidney function. Potassium level fluctuates when kidneys fail to work well to maintain the electrolyte balance.

What does potassium level 5.9 mean for PKD patients?

Normal potassium level in blood is 3.5-5.0 mEq/L. Potassium level 5.9 is much higher than the normal range and this always brings lots of discomforts like nausea, fatigue, muscle weakness, tingling sensations, slow heartbeat and even weak pulse. Since high potassium level in blood is a very dangerous condition, PKD patients need to take some measures to lower it down:

1. A low-potassium diet is necessary and this need them to avoid high potassium foods like white beans, spinach, yogurt, salmon, avocados, white mushroom and banana.

2. Low-salt diet is also needed by PKD patients, because ingesting too much salt will increase kidney burden, which may accelerate kidney condition and thus lead to further elevation of potassium level.

3. Treatment like intravenous infection of sodium lactate or sodium bicarbonate solution is also needed to control potassium level in blood in some cases.

4. Improment of kidney function is the most fundamental way to treat high potassium level caused by PKD. Kidney is responsible for excreting excess potassium in blood, so when kidney function is improved, potassium level is lowered down naturally. Micro-Chinese Medicine Osmotherapy is a safe treatment for PKD. It can improve kidney function and shrink all the cysts at one time, so this herbal treatment is highly recommended for PKD patients.

Leave your problems here and you will get nephrologists' advice with free of charge!