title: [Hyperkalemia - what the general practitioner must know].
abstract: Hyperkalemia can be a challenge for the general practitioner as it can prove to be benign as well as life-threatening. From a diagnostic point of view, four possibilities have to be differenciated: a pre-analytical cause, potassium release through cell lysis, a potassium shift, a reduced renal excretion of potassium. The first differential diagnosis can often be carried out by a thorough medical history, in particular the medication intake. Also, the first clinical and laboratory investigations can take place at the general practitioner's clinic. If the hyperkalemia proves to be a true hyperkalemia or cannot be explained by poly-medication and known diseases of the patient, not yet identified renal, endocrine or cardiac diseases should be searched for. If a serious condition is identified as the cause of hyperkalemia the patient should be referred to a specialized clinic.
authors: Klinik für Nephrologie und Transplantationsmedizin, Kantonsspital St. Gallen.
authors: Aurelia
authors: A
authors: Schnyder
authors: Klinik für Nephrologie und Transplantationsmedizin, Kantonsspital St. Gallen.
authors: Carina
authors: C
authors: Hüsler
authors: Klinik für Nephrologie und Transplantationsmedizin, Kantonsspital St. Gallen.
authors: Isabelle
authors: I
authors: Binet
mesh_terms: D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004562:Electrocardiography; D005189:False Positive Reactions; D058006:General Practice; D006801:Humans; D006947:Hyperkalemia / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology*; D008487:Medical History Taking
keywords: Hyperkaliämie; Kalium; hyperkalemia; hyperkaliémie; potassium