Hyperkalemia Center - Altoona, PAAltoona 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 Altoona * Venkata Pericherla MD  Blair Medical Associates  Blair Medical Associates  Blair Medical Associates  Pleasant Valley Cardiology  Pleasant Valley Cardiology  Pawan K Gupta MD  Altoona Hospital Emergency  Manickam Sankaran MD  K Siripala And Associates  K Siripala And Associates  Jon E Popovich MD  Lakemont Medical Center  Lakemont Medical Center  Tipton Medial Diagnostic Center  Southern Cove Medical Center  Tyrone Medical Associates  Pediatrics & Beyond  Larry R Mastrine MD  Molly B Trostle DO  Robert C Lamey MD  James E Savory MD  J C Blair Memorial Hospital  Bruce L Thomas MD  Baltazar L Corcino MD  Geisinger Medical Group  Geisinger Medical Group  Guided Care PC  Guided Care PC  UPMC Bedford Internal Medicine  Windber Medical Center  Diosdado Santiago MD  John M Wisniewski MD  Medical Group of Windber Inc  Medical Group of Windber Inc  Dinesh P Mathur MD  David C Johns DO  Clearfield Professional Group Ltd  Clearfield Professional Group Ltd  Clearfield Professional Group Ltd  Clearfield Professional Group Ltd  Jyothi K Gella MD  Alleghenies Independent Physicians Inc  Phillip Turco MD  Broad Street Reg Care Ctr  Cardiovascular Care PC  Thomas R Ellenberger MD PC  Digestive Health Physicians  Stephen J Matse DO  Harry H Pote MD  William F Pruchnic MD  George Pueblitz MD  Conemaugh Medical Center Internal Medicine  Balkissoon Maharajh MD  Conemaugh Medical Center Internal Medicine  Conemaugh Medical Center Internal Medicine  Valley Orthopaedics Inc  Drs Massoud & Patel  Drs Massoud & Patel  Gastrointestinal Consultants Inc  Vijay K Malhotra MD  Gastrointestinal Consultants Inc  Gastrointestinal Consultants Inc  William D Hauger MD  Blue & Green Medical  Centre Medical & Surgical Associates  Centre Medical & Surgical Associates  Centre Medical & Surgical Associates  Centre Medical & Surgical Associates  Centre Medical & Surgical Associates  Centre Medical & Surgical Associates  Centre Medical & Surgical Associates  Centre Medical & Surgical Associates  Centre Medical & Surgical Associates  Centre Medical & Surgical Associates  Centre Medical & Surgical Associates  Centre Medical & Surgical Associates  Centre Medical & Surgical Associates  Centre Medical & Surgical Associates  Centre Medical & Surgical Associates  Centre Medical & Surgical Associates  Hall, Guillard, Guillard & Associates  Hall, Guillard, Guillard & Associates  Geisinger Medical Group  Guy H Gerhart MD  Dubois Nephrology Associates  Fugate Medical Associates  DRMC Internal Medicine  DRMC Internal Medicine  DMC Gastroenterology  Edward J McVay MD  James A Scerbo MD  Jawahar N Suvarnakar MD  Martin L Chambers MD  Hussein Aboul-Hosn MD  Paul A Koberna MD  Kenneth K Fugate MD  Punxsutawney Medical Associates  Shenggao Han MD  Roberto Turnbull MD Altoona, PennsylvaniaUpcoming Local Events2012-05-26
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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 Altoona
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