Hyperkalemia Center - Augusta, GAAugusta 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 Augusta * Coastal Physicians Group  Cardiovascular Associates Augusta  Augusta Medical Associates  Augusta Medical Associates  Augusta Medical Associates  Infectious Diseases Consultants  University Primary Care  Murari L Garg MD  University Primary Care  University Primary Care  Internal Medicine & Endocrine Assoc  Internal Medicine & Endocrine Assoc  University Primary Care  University Primary Care  Acute Care Consultants Inc  MCG Internal Medicine  MCG Internal Medicine  MCG Internal Medicine  MCG Internal Medicine  MCG Internal Medicine  MCG Internal Medicine  MCG Internal Medicine  MCG Internal Medicine  MCG Internal Medicine  MCG Internal Medicine  MCG Internal Medicine  MCG Internal Medicine  General Internal Medicine  Medical College of Georgia Hospitalists  Medical College of Georgia Hospitalists  Benjamin L Rucker MD  Cook & Dunagan MDs  Cook & Dunagan MDs  Reginald V Brown MD  Marian Ebron MD  CSRA Medical Associates  CSRA Medical Associates  CSRA Medical Associates  CSRA Medical Associates  Augusta Internal Medicine  Augusta Internal Medicine  Acute Care Consultants Inc  Augusta Preventive Cardiology  Neumann & Newman MDs  Neumann & Newman MDs  Summerville Internal Medicine Group  Internal Medicine Partners  Internal Medicine Partners  Internal Medicine Partners  CSRA Internal Medicine Associates PC  CSRA Internal Medicine Associates PC  Robert A Price MD PC  Diane K Smith MD  Augusta Renal Physicians PC  MCG Medical Associates Primary Care  West Augusta Internal Medicine Associates  Michael J Cohen MD  MCG Medical Associates Primary Care  Augusta Renal Physicians PC  Urgent MD LLC  Urgent MD LLC  Urgent MD LLC  Fredrick C House MD PC  Masters of Clinical Research  Brian G Cox MD PC  Acute Care Consultants Inc  George C Pursley MD  Westside Medical Center  P M & R Specialists  University Medical Associates LLP  Evans Medical Group  Evans Medical Group  University Medical Associates LLP  Georgia Internal Medicine  Georgia Internal Medicine  University Medical Associates LLP  University Medical Associates LLP  University Medical Associates LLP  University Medical Associates LLP  University Medical Associates LLP  University Medical Associates LLP  Gastroenterology Consultants of Augusta PC  Gastroenterology Consultants of Augusta PC  Gastroenterology Consultants of Augusta PC  Judieth E Baker-Brown MD  Gilbert W Banks MD  Medical Specialists Inc  Wrens Physicians Health Group  McDuffie Medical Associates PC  McDuffie Medical Associates PC  M Frank Powell MD PC  Mary M Powell MD  Heywood K Gay MD  Tri County Health System  Washington Internal Medicine  MedLink  Sandersville Community Health Center  Vijitha P Prasad MD  Linus O Ejim MD  Mark Harvey MD Augusta, GeorgiaUpcoming Local Events2012-06-17
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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 Augusta
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