Hyperkalemia Center - Aloha, ORAloha 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 Aloha * Providence Medical Group Tanasbourne Immediate Care  Providence Medical Group Tanasbourne Immediate Care  Providence Medical Group Tanasbourne Immediate Care  Ian L Barr MD  Internal Medicine Consultants PC  NW Internal Medicine Consultants PC  Sunset Medical Office  Sunset Medical Office  Sunset Medical Office  Sunset Medical Office  Sunset Medical Office  Sunset Medical Office  Sunset Medical Office  Orenco Station Medical Group  Orenco Station Medical Group  Orenco Station Medical Group  Orenco Station Medical Group  Barbara A Graham MD PC  Timothy S Cleary MD  Northwest Headache & Wellness Institute  Providence Medical Group Scholls  Cedar Creek Internal Medicine PC  Providence Medical Group Sunset  Providence Medical Group Scholls  Providence Medical Group Sunset  Cedar Creek Internal Medicine PC  Providence Medical Group Scholls  Providence Medical Group Sunset  Providence Medical Group Scholls  Providence Medical Group Sunset  Cedar Creek Internal Medicine PC  Providence Medical Group Scholls  Providence Medical Group Sunset  Providence Medical Group Sunset  Cedar Creek Internal Medicine PC  Providence Medical Group Scholls  Providence Medical Group Scholls  Cedar Creek Internal Medicine PC  Providence Medical Group Sunset  Providence Medical Group Scholls  Providence Medical Group Scholls  Providence Medical Group Scholls  Providence Medical Group Sunset  Steven Beeson MD  Janette L Green MD  Nancy MacNeal MD  Greenfield Health  Northwest Renal Clinic Inc  Greenfield Health  Greenfield Health  Greenfield Health  Greenfield Health  Greenfield Health  Portland Diabetes & Endocrinology Center  James J Biemer Jr. MD  Portland Diabetes & Endocrinology Center  Westside Internal Medicine PC  Donald W Froom MD  Kaiser Permanente Medical Center Cardiology  St Vincent Hospital Dept of Medicine Faculty Practice  Westside Internal Medicine PC  Drs Puterbaugh & Hayes  St Vincent Hospital Dept of Medicine Faculty Practice  Westside Internal Medicine PC  Westside Internal Medicine PC  St Vincent Hospital Dept of Medicine Faculty Practice  St Vincent Hospital Dept of Medicine Faculty Practice  Infectious Disease Consultants & The Travelers Clinic  Westside Internal Medicine PC  Westside Internal Medicine PC  Westside Internal Medicine PC  Portland Diabetes & Endocrinology Center  Kaiser Permanente Medical Center Cardiology  Drs Puterbaugh & Hayes  W Michael Ryan MD  Naveen Sachdev MD  St Vincent Hospital Dept of Medicine Faculty Practice  St Vincent Hospital Dept of Medicine Faculty Practice  Siqueira Jr. & Thongouthaithip MD  Portland Diabetes & Endocrinology Center  Siqueira Jr. & Thongouthaithip MD  St Vincent Hospital Dept of Medicine Faculty Practice  Westside Internal Medicine PC  Westside Internal Medicine PC  Myrna A Casono MD  Edward F Clarke MD  Edmundo Rosales MD  Tuality Community Hospital Hospitalist  Tuality Community Hospital Hospitalist  Hillsboro Internal Medicine  Tuality Community Hospital Hospitalist  Tuality Community Hospital Hospitalist  Tuality Community Hospital Hospitalist  Tuality Community Hospital Hospitalist  OHSU Cardiology at Tuality  OHSU Cardiology at Tuality  Tuality Community Hospital Hospitalist  Tuality Community Hospital Hospitalist  Tuality Community Hospital Hospitalist  Tuality Community Hospital Hospitalist Aloha, OregonUpcoming Local Events2012-05-27
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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 Aloha
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