Hyperkalemia Center - Bethesda, MDBethesda 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 Bethesda * Cullen Umosella Cullen & Cullen MDs PA  Cullen Umosella Cullen & Cullen MDs PA  Cullen Umosella Cullen & Cullen MDs PA  Bethesda Psychotherapy Group  Physician Management Limited  Bethesda Psychotherapy Group  Loreto Albiol MD  Bethesda Physicians PC  Bethesda Physicians PC  Christopher Duke MD  Bethesda Physicians PC  Bethesda Physicians PC  Albert K Lee MD  Matthew Poffenroth MD  Jose A Quiros MD  Surburban Hospital Emergency Dept  National Institute of Arthritis  Greater Washington Dermatology  Washington Gastroenterology  Internal Medicine Center PA  James H Brodsky MD  Cardio Care  Internal Medicine Center PA  Kevin G Nealon MD  Physician Associates  Kevin G Nealon MD  Internal Medicine Center PA  Washington Gastroenterology  Internal Medicine Center PA  Mahmood Mohamadi MD  Kevin G Nealon MD  Internal Medicine Center PA  Carol Salzman MD  Internal Medicine Center PA  Internal Medicine Center PA  Tip Woodward MD  Cardiology & Internal Medicine  Drs Barr & Schwartz MD  Drs Blackburn Hamill & Mackin  Armon A Cairo MD  Ralph M Coan MD  Cardiology & Internal Medicine  Cardiology & Internal Medicine  Cardiology & Internal Medicine  Drs Blackburn Hamill & Mackin  Metropolitan Internal Medicine Associates  Metropolitan Internal Medicine Associates  Cardiology & Internal Medicine  Metropolitan Internal Medicine Associates  Cardiology & Internal Medicine  Cardiology & Internal Medicine  James H Hutchinson MD  Drs Galotto & Feldman PA  Potomac Physician Associates PC  Washington Center for Diabetes & Endocrinology LLC  Potomac Physician Associates PC  Pulmonologists PC  Jeffrey Indrisano MD & Hubert Alpert MD  Jeffrey Indrisano MD & Hubert Alpert MD  Jeffrey Indrisano MD & Hubert Alpert MD  Barry Rosenbaum MD  Potomac Physician Associates PC  Potomac Physician Associates PC  Potomac Physician Associates PC  Potomac Physician Associates PC  Potomac Physician Associates PC  Kian Kaviani MD  Potomac Physician Associates PC  Potomac Physician Associates PC  Potomac Physician Associates PC  Potomac Physician Associates PC  Potomac Physician Associates PC  Gary M Roggin MD  Russell R Rothenberg MD  Potomac Physician Associates PC  Potomac Physician Associates PC  Kaiser Permanente Medical Center Kensington  Potomac Physician Associates PC  Wellness Medical Center  Wellness Medical Center  Phillip W Poth MD  Jan Bachowski MD  Gul Chablani MD  Alpana Goswami MD  Carl I Margolis MD  James F McMurry Jr. MD  Felix B Sokolsky MD  Silviu Ziscovici MD  V P Chandar MD PA  Habib O Farhoudi MD  Suresh K Gupta MD  Forest Glen Medical Center  Drs Banadori Oser Seidelman & Tauber  Hadi Bahar MD  MedStar Physicians  Thomas Q Garvey MD  Oki Kwon MD  Lawrence D Marcus MD PA  Comprehensive Women's Health  Drs Banadori Oser Seidelman & Tauber Bethesda, MarylandUpcoming 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 Bethesda
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