ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

Hyperkalemia

Imagine your body is like a house with different rooms. One of those rooms is called the blood. Your blood helps your body get all the food and oxygen it needs to work properly.

Now, think of potassium as a type of food that your body needs. Potassium is like a helper, it helps your muscles, heart, and other important parts of your body work the right way.

Sometimes, your body can have too much potassium. This is called hyperkalemia. It's like your house having too many toys in one room. Too many toys or too much potassium is not good, it can make the room or your body get sick.

When you have hyperkalemia, it makes it hard for your heart to work well. Your heart is super important because it helps pump blood all over your body. If your heart doesn't work the right way, your body won't get what it needs to stay healthy.

So, in order to stay healthy, your body needs to keep the right amount of potassium in your blood. It's like keeping the right amount of toys in one room so it doesn't get too crowded. If you ever feel sick or tired, it's important to go to the doctor so they can make sure your potassium levels are okay.