Potassium normal value

Glossary Group A vertical column in the periodic table. Members of a group typically have similar properties and electron configurations in their outer shell. Period A horizontal row in the periodic table. The atomic number of each element increases by one, reading from left to right. Block Elements are organised into blocks by the orbital type in which the outer electrons are found. These blocks are named for the characteristic spectra they produce: sharp (s), principal (p), diffuse (d), and fundamental (f). Atomic number The number of protons in an atom. Electron configuration The arrangements of electrons above the last (closed shell) noble gas. Melting point The temperature at which the solid–liquid phase change occurs. Boiling point The temperature at which the liquid–gas phase change occurs. Sublimation The transition of a substance directly from the solid to the gas phase without passing through a liquid phase. Density (g cm −3) Density is the mass of a substance that would fill 1 cm 3 at room temperature. Relative atomic mass The mass of an atom relative to that of carbon-12. This is approximately the sum of the number of protons and neutrons in the nucleus. Where more than one isotope exists, the value given is the abundance weighted average. Isotopes Atoms of the same element with different numbers of neutrons. CAS number The Chemical Abstracts Service registry number is a unique identifier of a particular chemical, designed to prevent confusion arising from diff...

Electrolytes are substances that have a natural positive or negative electrical charge when dissolved in water. They help your body regulate chemical reactions, maintain the balance between fluids inside and outside your cells, and more. They’re also a key way to diagnose a wide range of medical conditions and diseases. Overview What are electrolytes? Electrolytes are substances that have a natural positive or negative electrical charge when dissolved in water. An adult's body is about 60% water, which means nearly every fluid and cell in your body contains electrolytes. They help your body regulate chemical reactions, maintain the balance between fluids inside and outside your cells, and more. Your body gets electrolytes or their components from what you eat and drink. Your kidneys filter excess electrolytes out of your body and into your urine. You also lose electrolytes when you sweat. Key terms to know: • Hyper-: A condition that starts with “hyper” means it involves too much of something. • Hypo-: A condition that starts with “hypo” means it involves too little of something. • Ion: An atom that has an electrical charge. • Cations: Ions with a positive charge. • Anions: Ions with a negative charge. • pH: A scale that measures whether a liquid is an acid or base. Your body’s natural blood pH is between 7.36 and 7.44. • Acidic: Has a pH of less than 7. • Neutral: Has a pH of 7. • Basic: Has a pH of more than 7 (basic is also known as “alkaline”). What do electrolytes do?...

Low potassium (hypokalemia) refers to a lower than normal potassium level in your bloodstream. Potassium helps carry electrical signals to cells in your body. It is critical to the proper functioning of nerve and muscles cells, particularly heart muscle cells. Normally, your blood potassium level is 3.6 to 5.2 millimoles per liter (mmol/L). A very low potassium level (less than 2.5 mmol/L) can be life-threatening and requires urgent medical attention. • Adams JG. Potassium. In: Emergency Medicine: Clinical Essentials. 2nd ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders Elsevier; 2013. https://www.clinicalkey.com. Accessed May 5, 2017. • Hypokalemia. The Merck Manuals: The Merck Manual for Health Care Professionals. http://www.merckmanuals.com/professional/endocrine_and_metabolic_disorders/electrolyte_disorders/hypokalemia.html. Accessed April 5, 2017. • Mount DB, et al. Causes of hypokalemia in adults. http://www.uptodate.com/home. Accessed April 5, 2017. • Mount DB, et al. Clinical manifestations and treatment of hypokalemia in adults. http://www.uptodate.com/home. Accessed April 5, 2017. • Potassium, serum. Mayo Medical Laboratories. http://www.mayomedicallaboratories.com/test-catalog/Clinical+and+Interpretive/81390. Accessed April 28, 2017.

Hypokalemia and hyperkalemia are common electrolyte disorders caused by changes in potassium intake, altered excretion, or transcellular shifts. Diuretic use and gastrointestinal losses are common causes of hypokalemia, whereas kidney disease, hyperglycemia, and medication use are common causes of hyperkalemia. When severe, potassium disorders can lead to life-threatening cardiac conduction disturbances and neuromuscular dysfunction. Therefore, a first priority is determining the need for urgent treatment through a combination of history, physical examination, laboratory, and electrocardiography findings. Indications for urgent treatment include severe or symptomatic hypokalemia or hyperkalemia; abrupt changes in potassium levels; electrocardiography changes; or the presence of certain comorbid conditions. Hypokalemia is treated with oral or intravenous potassium. To prevent cardiac conduction disturbances, intravenous calcium is administered to patients with hyperkalemic electrocardiography changes. Insulin, usually with concomitant glucose, and albuterol are preferred to lower serum potassium levels in the acute setting; sodium polystyrene sulfonate is reserved for subacute treatment. For both disorders, it is important to consider potential causes of transcellular shifts because patients are at increased risk of rebound potassium disturbances. Clinical recommendation Evidence rating References Patients with a history of congestive heart failure or myocardial infarction ...

Hyperkalemia is the medical term that describes a potassium level in your blood that's higher than normal. Potassium is a chemical that is critical to the function of nerve and muscle cells, including those in your heart. Your blood potassium level is normally 3.6 to 5.2 millimoles per liter (mmol/L). Having a blood potassium level higher than 6.0 mmol/L can be dangerous and usually requires immediate treatment. • What is hyperkalemia? National Kidney Foundation. https://www.kidney.org/atoz/content/what-hyperkalemia. Accessed Oct. 4, 2017. • Potassium, serum. Mayo Medical Laboratories. https://www.mayomedicallaboratories.com/test-catalog/Clinical+and+Interpretive/81390.%20Accessed%20Oct.%201. Accessed Oct. 4, 2017. • Potassium. American Association for Clinical Chemistry. https://labtestsonline.org/understanding/analytes/potassium/tab/test/. Accessed Oct. 4, 2017. • Mount DB. Cause and evaluation of hyperkalemia in adults. https://www.uptodate.com/contents/search. Accessed Oct. 4, 2017. • Hyperkalemia. Merck Manual Professional Version. http://www.merckmanuals.com/professional/endocrine-and-metabolic-disorders/electrolyte-disorders/hyperkalemia. Accessed Oct. 4, 2017. • Wilkinson JM (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. Oct. 11, 2017.

Potassium is an essential mineral for health. Getting between 3,500 milligrams and 4,700 milligrams a day from tomatoes, spinach, sweet potatoes, and other fruits and vegetables may lower your risk of kidney stones, stroke, and high blood pressure. Potassium is one of the most abundant minerals in your body and plays an essential role in several body processes ( However, very few people consume enough of it. In fact, nearly 98% of all adults in the United States are not meeting the daily intake recommendations ( This article tells you how much potassium you need per day as well as why it’s crucial to your health. Potassium is an essential mineral and also an electrolyte. It’s found in various unrefined foods, including: • leafy vegetables • legumes • fish, such as Around 98% of the potassium in your body is inside your cells. Of this, 80% is found inside your skeletal muscle, while 20% is in bone, red blood cells, and the liver ( This mineral plays an integral role in a variety of processes in the body. It’s involved in muscle contractions, heart function, and fluid balance ( Despite its importance, many do not get enough of this mineral ( A diet rich in potassium is associated with a lower risk of high blood pressure, kidney stones, and osteoporosis, among other benefits ( Summary Potassium is an essential mineral and electrolyte. It is involved in muscle contractions, heart function, and regulating water balance. Most adults don’t consume enough potassium ( In many count...