Hyperkalemia Center - Bartlett, TNBartlett 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 Bartlett * Primehealth Medical Center  Bartlett Internal Medicine Group  Bartlett Internal Medicine Group  Bartlett Internal Medicine Group  Bartlett-Raleigh Internal Medicine  William R Porter MD  My MD Lakeland  Verzosa & Ungab Internal Medicine  Verzosa & Ungab Internal Medicine  Bartlett Medical Clinic  North Internal Medicine  North Internal Medicine  A M Diabetes & Endocrinology Center  Cardiology Associates Memphis PLLC  SMZ Specialists PC  Raleigh-Cordova Medical Group PC  Raleigh-Cordova Medical Group PC  The Heart & Vascular Institute PLLC  The Heart & Vascular Institute PLLC  VA Memphis North Clinic  VA Memphis North Clinic  VA Memphis North Clinic  Internal Medicine Clinic  David L Smith MD  St Francis Senior Health Center  Internal Medicine East PC  Internal Medicine East PC  Internal Medicine East PC  Reaves Avila & Akins MDs  Sanders Clinic  Sanders Clinic  Reaves Avila & Akins MDs  Cary Finn & Associates  Midsouth Infectious Disease Associates PLLC  Midsouth Infectious Disease Associates PLLC  Internal Medicine Group of the Mid South  Laambda Healthcare Inc  Laambda Healthcare Inc  Reaves Avila & Akins MDs  Internal Medicine Assoc. of Memphis  Internal Medicine Assoc. of Memphis  Internal Medicine Group of the Mid South  Internal Medicine Assoc. of Memphis  Nephrology Services Medical Group  Rheumatology & Osteoporosis Center Memphis PC  Rheumatology & Osteoporosis Center Memphis PC  Cordova Internal Medicine PLLC  Cordova Internal Medicine PLLC  Cordova Internal Medicine PLLC  Pittman Internal Medicine PLLC  A Lawrence Bellott III MD  Goodlife Medical Center PLLC  Southwind Medical Specialists PC  Southwind Medical Specialists PC  Mid-South Internal Medicine  Chris Kasser MD  Mid-South Internal Medicine  Mid-South Internal Medicine  Light Clinic  Light Clinic  Light Clinic  Foundation Medical Group PLLC  Foundation Medical Group PLLC  Germantown Internal Medicine PC  Brookhaven Medical Clinic  Memphis Neurology PLLC  Foundation Medical Group PLLC  Foundation Medical Group PLLC  William W Taylor Jr. MD  James E Boone MD  Lifesigns Physical Examination  Lifesigns Physical Examination  Roger O Gibson MD  Robert F Kulinski MD & Associates  Robert F Kulinski MD & Associates  Threlkeld Threlkeld & Omer MDs  Inpatient Physicians of the Mid South  Inpatient Physicians of the Mid South  Inpatient Physicians of the Mid South  Inpatient Physicians of the Mid South  Inpatient Physicians of the Mid South  Cresthaven Internal Medicine  Inpatient Physicians of the Mid South  Inpatient Physicians of the Mid South  PennMarc Internal Medicine Associates PC  Inpatient Physicians of the Mid South  Inpatient Physicians of the Mid South  PennMarc Internal Medicine Associates PC  Hugh T Overstreet MD  Inpatient Physicians of the Mid South  Inpatient Physicians of the Mid South  PennMarc Internal Medicine Associates PC  UT Medical Group Internal Medicine  Robert M Kraus MD PLLC  UT Medical Group Internal Medicine  UT Medical Group Internal Medicine  William T Weiss MD PLLC  UT Medical Group Internal Medicine  Memphis Gastroenterology Group PC  Wolf River Medical Group Bartlett, TennesseeUpcoming Local Events2012-06-03
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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 Bartlett
Nearby Bartlett Hospitals *Saint Francis Hospital Bartlett Methodist Healthcare North Hospital Lakeside Behavioral Health System Baptist Memorial Hospital Memphis Baptist Memorial Restorative Care Hospital Baptist Memorial Hospital for Women Saint Francis Hospital Select Specialty Hospital Memphis Baptist Rehabilitation Hospital Germantown Methodist LeBonheur Germantown Delta Medical Center HEALTHSOUTH Rehabilitation Hospital Methodist University Hospital Memphis VA Medical Center Memphis Mental Health Institute Regional Medical Center at Memphis LeBonheur Children's Medical Center St Jude Children's Research Hospital Baptist Memorial Hospital Collierville Methodist Healthcare South Hospital Parkwood Behavioral Health System Baptist Memorial Hospital Desoto Crittenden Regional Hospital Baptist Memorial Hospital Tipton Methodist Healthcare Fayette Hospital South Mississippi County Regional Medical Center Featured Articles*Provider Directory Terms of Use: The WebMD 'Provider Directory' is provided by WebMD for use by the general public as a quick reference of information about Providers. The Provider Directory is not intended as a tool for verifying the credentials, qualifications, or abilities of any Provider contained therein. Inclusion in the Provider Directory does not imply recommendation or endorsement nor does omission in the Provider Directory imply WebMD disapproval. |
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