Hyperkalemia Center - Alexandria, VAAlexandria Internist Doctors for HyperkalemiaType of Physician: Internist What is a Internist? A certification by the Board of Internal Medicine; practitioners provide long-term, comprehensive care in the office and the hospital, managing both common illnesses and complex problems for adolescents, adults, and the elderly. General internists are trained in primary care internal medicine, which incorporates an understanding of disease prevention, wellness, substance abuse, mental health and treatment of problems of the eyes, ears, skin, nervous system and reproductive organs. All internists are trained in the subspecialty areas of internal medicine including emergency internal medicine and critical care. Internists consult with surgeons when surgical management is indicated, and often act as consultants to other specialists. Specialty: Internal Medicine Common Name: Internist Doctors in Alexandria * David KL Ho MD  Truong S Van MD  George O Jones MD  Edward K Boakye MD  David K Choi MD  Esther Matias MD  Zafar Ansari MD  Alfred C Myaing MD  Michael C Trahos DO  Aly Sabet MD  Pulmonary & Medical Associates of Northern Virginia  Pulmonary & Medical Associates of Northern Virginia  Pulmonary & Medical Associates of Northern Virginia  Pulmonary & Medical Associates of Northern Virginia  Pulmonary & Medical Associates of Northern Virginia  Pulmonary & Medical Associates of Northern Virginia  Casey Health Center  Casey Health Center  Casey Health Center  Primary Care Doctors Group PC  Carpousis & Prasad MDs  Primary Care Doctors Group PC  Mimi Ahine  Carpousis & Prasad MDs  Alexandria Primary Care Associates  Springfield Medical Clinic  Springfield Medical Clinic  Alexandria Primary Care Associates  Alexandria Primary Care Associates  Freedman Mitchell Whittaker & WU MDs  Alexandria Primary Care Associates  Armstrong Heyrana & Associates Inc  Robert J Heinen MD  Joel Temme MD  Alexandria Primary Care Associates  Freedman Mitchell Whittaker & WU MDs  Beauregard Medical Center LTD  Mt Vernon Internal Medicine  Laurence Clark MD  Beauregard Medical Center LTD  Beauregard Medical Center LTD  Mt Vernon Internal Medicine  Mt Vernon Internal Medicine  Medical Specialists of Northern Virginia  Mt Vernon Internal Medicine  Mt Vernon Internal Medicine  McCone Endoscopy Centers  Medical Specialists of Northern Virginia  Mt Vernon Internal Medicine  Beauregard Medical Center LTD  Pratima S Fozdar MD  Christopher W Hunt MD & Joel L Koslow MD  Christopher W Hunt MD & Joel L Koslow MD  Franconia Internists  Franconia Internists  Alexandria Adult Primary Care LLC  Ulrich Prinz MD  Jose M Dossola MD  Nalin G Patel MD PC  Manchester Lakes Medical Center  Advanced Health Center  Premier Primary Care  Premier Primary Care  Nguyen Medical Practice  Premier Primary Care  Premier Primary Care  Lillian B Hunt MD PC  RP & CP McManus MDs  RP & CP McManus MDs  Take Care Health  Medical & Acupuncture Clinic  Alexandria Infectious Diseases  Mohammed Akbar MD  General Internal Medicine Group  Advent Health Group PC  Drs Giordano & Schreiner  Medical Associates of Northern Virginia Inc  Medical Associates of Northern Virginia Inc  General Internal Medicine Group  General Internal Medicine Group  General Internal Medicine Group  General Internal Medicine Group  Advent Health Group PC  Jeevindra Rana MD  Michael A Royfe MD  General Internal Medicine Group  Francis R Sappington MD  Drs Giordano & Schreiner  Mussarat Tahira MD  Alan S Terlinsky MD  General Internal Medicine Group  Ali A Al-Attar MD  Karen Lawson MD  TriCare Medical Group PC  Alexandria Health Care Ctr  Internal Medicine Physicians of Alexandria  Internal Medicine Physicians of Alexandria  My Urgent Care  Internal Medicine Physicians of Alexandria  Louis B Meyers MD Alexandria, VirginiaUpcoming Local Events2012-06-02
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Hyperkalemia (High Blood Potassium)Read the Hyperkalemia (High Blood Potassium) article » What is hyperkalemia?Hyperkalemia is common; it is diagnosed in up to 8% of hospitalized patients in the U.S. Fortunately, most patients have mild hyperkalemia (which is usually well tolerated). However, any condition causing even mild hyperkalemia should be treated to prevent progression into more severe hyperkalemia. Extremely high levels of potassium in the blood (severe hyperkalemia) can lead to cardiac arrest and death. When not recognized and treated properly, severe hyperkalemia results in a mortality rate of about 67%. Technically, hyperkalemia means an abnormally elevated level of potassium in the blood. The normal potassium level in the blood is 3.5-5.0 milliequivalents per liter (mEq/L). Potassium levels between 5.1 mEq/L to 6.0 mEq/L reflect mild hyperkalemia. Potassium levels of 6.1 mEq/L to 7.0 mEq/L are moderate hyperkalemia, and levels above 7 mEq/L are severe hyperkalemia.
How does hyperkalemia affect the body?Potassium is critical for the normal functioning of the muscles, heart, and nerves. It plays an important role in controlling activity of smooth muscle (such as the muscle found in the digestive tract) and skeletal muscle (muscles of the extremities and torso), as well as the muscles of the heart. It is also important for normal transmission of electrical signals throughout the nervous system within the body. Normal blood levels of potassium are critical for maintaining normal heart electrical rhythm. Both low blood potassium levels (hypokalemia) and high blood potassium levels (hyperkalemia) can lead to abnormal heart rhythms. The most important clinical effect of hyperkalemia is related to electrical rhythm of the heart. While mild hyperkalemia probably has a limited effect on the heart, moderate hyperkalemia can produce EKG changes (EKG is an electrical reading of the heart muscles), and severe hyperkalemia can caus... Recommended Reading Related to Hyperkalemia (High Blood Potassium)What are electrolytes?Chemically, electrolytes are substances that become ions in solution and acquire the capacity to conduct electricity. Electrolytes are present in the human body, and the balance of the electrolytes in our bodies is essential for normal function of our cells and our organs. Common electrolytes that are measured by doctors with blood testing include sodium, potassium, chloride, and bicarbonate. The functions and normal range values for these electrolytes are described below.
SodiumSodium is the major positive ion (cation) in fluid outside of cells. The chemical notation for sodium is Na+. When combined with chloride, the resulting substance is table salt. Excess sodium (such as that obtained from dietary sources) is excreted in the urine. Sodium regulates the total amount of water in the body and the transmission of sodium into and out of individual cells also plays a role in critical body funct... Other Related Hyperkalemia ArticlesEmergency Contact for Alexandria
Nearby Alexandria Hospitals *The Specialty Hospital of Washington-Hadley Inova Alexandria Hospital Saint Elizabeth's Hospital Inova Mount Vernon Hospital Fort Washington Hospital The Specialty Hospital of Washington The George Washington University Hospital Virginia Hospital Center Dominion Hospital Georgetown University Hospital Howard University Hospital United Medical Center Children's National Medical Center National Rehabilitation Hospital Washington DC VA Medical Center Washington Hospital Center Sibley Memorial Hospital Southern Maryland Hospital Center Psychiatric Institute of Washington The HSC Pediatric Center Providence Hospital Inova Fairfax Hospital Inova Fairfax Hospital for Children Northern Virginia Mental Health Institute Gladys Spellman Specialty Hospital Prince George's Hospital Center Walter Reed Army Medical Center Washington Adventist Hospital National Institutes of Health Holy Cross Hospital Suburban Hospital Doctors Community Hospital Potomac Hospital Inova Fair Oaks Hospital Civista Medical Center Reston Hospital Center Laurel Regional Hospital Shady Grove Adventist Hospital Adventist Rehabilitation Hospital of Maryland Potomac Ridge Behavioral Health Adventist HealthCare Prince William Hospital Montgomery General Hospital Calvert Memorial Hospital Howard County General Hospital Inova Loudoun Hospital Center Anne Arundel Medical Center Baltimore Washington Medical Center Sheppard Pratt at Ellicott City Featured Articles*Provider Directory Terms of Use: The WebMD 'Provider Directory' is provided by WebMD for use by the general public as a quick reference of information about Providers. The Provider Directory is not intended as a tool for verifying the credentials, qualifications, or abilities of any Provider contained therein. Inclusion in the Provider Directory does not imply recommendation or endorsement nor does omission in the Provider Directory imply WebMD disapproval. |
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