Hyperkalemia Center - Athens, GAAthens 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 Athens * Evan J Fliegel MD  University Health Center Medical Clinic  George Cleland MD  Carlos M Cossio MD  Thomas N Kias MD  Thomas N Kias MD  Oconee Medical Group  James L Brown Jr. MD  Athens Gastroenterology Center PC  Athens Primary Care  Zaigham Butt MD  Northeast Cardiology  Wayne S Morris MD  Kidney Clinic of Athens  Charles L Braucher Jr. MD  Internal Medicine Associates  Internal Medicine Associates  Internal Medicine Associates  Abid Bashir MD  Hawthorne Medical Associates  Hawthorne Medical Associates  Greater Athens Physicians  Commerce Medical Center  Internal Medicine Consultants  Wayne D Austin MD  Gwinnett Clinic  Roseann R Weaver MD  K C Ramesh MD  Sarah V McBee MD  Northeast Primary Care  Angelito K Jao MD  Northeast Primary Care  Eduardo M Cossio MD PC  Miguel E Cossio MD  Eastside Dialysis  Palghat V Mohan MD  Eastside Dialysis  Hill Medical Group  Gwinnett Clinic  Bhavin H Jani MD  Tri-County Medical Center  Tri-County Medical Center  MCG Medical Associates Lake Oconee Village  MCG Medical Associates Lake Oconee Village  Saint Joseph's Medical Group  The Braselton Clinic  The Braselton Clinic  The Braselton Clinic  The Braselton Clinic  Carr Medical Group  Medical Center of Elberton  Gwinnett Clinic  Gwinnett Clinic  Reagan Medical Center  AC Johnson Jr. MD  Linwood W Zoller MD  Northeast Georgia Physicians Group  North Gwinnett Primary Care  Longstreet Clinic Internal Medicine  Longstreet Clinic Internal Medicine  Longstreet Clinic Internal Medicine  Gainesville Internal Medicine Group  Christopher P Recknor MD  Gainesville Internal Medicine Group  Longstreet Clinic Internal Medicine  Gainesville Internal Medicine Group  Gwinnett Internal Medicine Assoc  Gwinnett Internal Medicine Assoc  Amanda Cain MD  Northeast Georgia Medical Center  Northeast Georgia Medical Center  Northeast Georgia Medical Center  Allergy & Asthma Clinic of Northeast Georgia  Robert Grant MD  Ajay Kumar MD  Jeffrey Lev MD  Northeast Georgia Physicians Group  Northeast Georgia Diagnostic Clinic LLC  Northeast Georgia Diagnostic Clinic LLC  Northeast Georgia Diagnostic Clinic LLC  Northeast Georgia Diagnostic Clinic LLC  Northeast Georgia Diagnostic Clinic LLC  Northeast Georgia Diagnostic Clinic LLC  Northeast Georgia Diagnostic Clinic LLC  Northeast Georgia Diagnostic Clinic LLC  Northeast Georgia Diagnostic Clinic LLC  Northeast Georgia Diagnostic Clinic LLC  Northeast Georgia Diagnostic Clinic LLC  Sreeroop Sen MD  Arthur J Lomant MD  Elizabeth Z Mikrut MD  Newton Medical Associates  Newton Medical Associates  Newton Medical Associates  Newton Medical Associates  Newton Medical Associates  Newton Medical Associates  Newton Medical Associates  Internal Medicine of Newton County PC  East Metro Internal Medicine Athens, GeorgiaUpcoming Local Events2012-06-09
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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 Athens
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