If you are deficient in your potassium intake, it may cause your blood pressure to rise. Without as much potassium in your system, your body may struggle to balance your sodium intake. High amounts of sodium in the blood can increase your blood pressure and raise your risk of stroke and developing heart disease.<\/p>
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Known as hypokalemia<\/a>, when the amount of potassium in the blood is lower than normal range (typically under 3 milliequivalents per liter), normal bodily function will start to shift. The body's digestive system and bone health may be affected, as well as your risk for heart disease, and this imbalance could also lead to symptoms like constipation, abnormal heart rhythms, muscle weakness and even paralysis.<\/p> Hypokalemia can occur for a variety of reasons, but some of the most common include excessive sweating, eating disorders, excessive alcohol use, water pills (diuretics) and, of course, not getting enough potassium-rich foods in your diet. Hypokalemia is diagnosed by a doctor through a blood test.<\/p>"
}
}
,
{
"@type": "Question",
"name": "What happens if potassium is high?",
"acceptedAnswer": {
"@type": "Answer",
"text": " Thankfully, having too much potassium (also known as potassium toxicity) isn't something we have to worry about too much. If the body has too much potassium, it will simply expel any excess through our urine.<\/p> Nevertheless, there are some cases where a person can experience potassium toxicity, which is called hyperkalemia. Hyperkalemia<\/a> occurs when you have too much potassium in the blood, which can lead to a variety of symptoms. Some are mild, like muscle weakness or numbness, and others can be a bit more severe, like abnormal heart rhythms, chest pain, nausea and vomiting. This condition is usually diagnosed through a blood test by a doctor.<\/p> However, as of right now, there isn't significant evidence to suggest that hyperkalemia can be a result of eating a diet in high potassium, hence why the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine<\/a> didn't set a tolerable upper limit for intake because potassium isn't considered toxic (unlike some nutrients, like taking too many fat-soluble vitamins).<\/p> Instead, hyperkalemia can occur from other factors, most commonly from kidney disease (the kidneys help to balance the digested potassium and pass it through urine) or taking certain medications, according to a review published in Drug Safety.<\/em><\/a><\/p>"
}
}
,
{
"@type": "Question",
"name": "Does drinking water help high potassium?",
"acceptedAnswer": {
"@type": "Answer",
"text": " Yes, staying hydrated does help with high potassium because it helps to flush the excess potassium out of your system through urination. However, high potassium is not a very common issue and should be treated in conjunction with your medical provider.<\/p>"
}
}
]
} ] }
]
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