Hyperkalemia Center - Asheville, NCAsheville 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 Asheville * Biltmore Medical Associates  Biltmore Medical Associates  Biltmore Medical Associates  Biltmore Medical Associates  Biltmore Medical Associates  Biltmore Medical Associates  Biltmore Medical Associates  Asheville Gastroenterology  WNC Hypertension Center  Allergy Partners of North Carolina  C Deaton Maddox MD  Mountain Kidney Associates Hendersonville  Mountain Kidney Associates Hendersonville  Asheville Pulmonary & Critical Care Associates  Mountain Kidney Associates Hendersonville  Mountain Kidney Associates Hendersonville  Mountain Kidney Associates Hendersonville  Mountain Kidney Associates Hendersonville  PrimeDoc  PrimeDoc  PrimeDoc  Carolina Internal Medicine Associates  Carolina Internal Medicine Associates  PrimeDoc  PrimeDoc  Carolina Internal Medicine Associates  PrimeDoc  PrimeDoc  PrimeDoc  PrimeDoc  PrimeDoc  PrimeDoc  Asheville Infectious Disease Consultants  PrimeDoc  PrimeDoc  Carolina Internal Medicine Associates  Carolina Internal Medicine Associates  PrimeDoc  Drs Pozner & Rosenberg  PrimeDoc  Drs Pozner & Rosenberg  PrimeDoc  Carolina Internal Medicine Associates  Asheville Internal Medicine  Asheville Internal Medicine  Asheville Internal Medicine  Asheville Internal Medicine  Asheville Internal Medicine  Asheville Internal Medicine  Asheville Hospitalist Group  David A Clements MD PLLC  William B Fowler MD  Mission Childrens Clinics  Asheville Integrative Medicine  Asheville Integrative Medicine  Kemp Battle MD  Sulphur Springs Health Ctr  Il Sung Lee MD  Mountain Diabetes & Endocrine Center  Asheville Medicine & Pediatrics  Carolina Mountain Gastroenterology  Carolina Mountain Gastroenterology  Grace Hematology & Oncology  Park Ridge Geriatrics  Park Ridge Medical Associates  Hot Springs Health Program Marshall  Hot Springs Health Program Marshall  Hot Springs Health Program Marshall  Edward K Bentson MD  Laurel Park Medical Centre  Laurel Park Medical Centre  Laurel Park Medical Centre  Laurel Park Medical Centre  Western Carolina Medical Associates  Western North Carolina Rheumatology  Western Carolina Medical Associates  Western Carolina Medical Associates  Western Carolina Medical Associates  James J Caserio MD  Henderson County Internists PA  Henderson County Internists PA  Joanne E Helppie MD  David Francis Slawek MD  A Dale Nash MD  Gerald R Martin MD  Western Carolina Cardiology  Mountain Medical Associates  Mountain Medical Associates  Mountain Medical Associates  Mountain Medical Associates  Mountain Medical Associates  Mountain Medical Associates  Susan Holman MD  Medical Associates of Transylvania  Medical Associates of Transylvania  Charles Lefler MD  Laurelyn Medical Group  McDowell Internal Medicine  McDowell Internal Medicine  Gretchen K Hermanny MD Asheville, North CarolinaUpcoming 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 Asheville
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