Hyperkalemia Center - Boca Raton, FLBoca Raton 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 Boca Raton * Quick Med LLC  Dr John E Christakis  Theodore Raptis MD  Primary Care Of Boca Raton  Michael M Zukowsky MD  Irvin Besman MD  Charles Gelfman MD  Boca Thoracic & Cardiovascular Surgery  Dr. Irvin Besman & Dr. Michael Zukowsky  Boca Center For Health  Roderick SantaMaria MD  Alan G Stern MD  Aurea R Tomeski MD  Cenegenics Medical Institute  Michael M Zukowsky MD  Alley & Alley Internal Medicine  Alley & Alley Internal Medicine  Nicholas Breuer MD  Nicholas Breuer MD  Jeffrey Devon MD  Sandra L Hirsch MD  Leslie Levine MD PA  Metzger Comprehensive Care  John F Rubin MD  Digestive Disease Consultants of South Florida  Lewis H Semel MD  John A Strobis MD  Neal Weisman MD  Maria S P Wozniak MD  Lewis Gotlieb Saltzman Edep & Brodsky MDs  Robert L Mellman MD & Cheryl Moss-Mellman MD  Robert L Mellman MD & Cheryl Moss-Mellman MD  Mohsen Rashdan MD  Ashok K Satija MD  Jonathan B Berger MD  Boca Raton Medical Group  Boca Raton Medical Group  Boca Raton Medical Group  Neophetos V Apostolopoulos MD  Richard J Gerstein MD  University of Miami Health System Internal Medicine  Joseph J Arena MD PA  Chediak & Perez-Mesa MDs  University of Miami Health System Internal Medicine  University of Miami Health System Internal Medicine  Glades Medical Group Internal Medicine  University of Miami Health System Internal Medicine  Glades Medical Group Internal Medicine  Chediak & Perez-Mesa MDs  University of Miami Health System Internal Medicine  University of Miami Health System Internal Medicine  Metcare Boca Raton  Shawnna M Hampton MD  Boca Nephrology  Steven Morris MD PA  Infectious Disease Consultants PA  Boca Nephrology  Metcare Boca Raton  Infectious Disease Consultants PA  JM Medical Services  Digestive Disease Institute  David M Kenton MD  Deerfield Medical Group  Deerfield Medical Group  Associates in Internal Medicine  Associates in Internal Medicine  University of Miami Urology  Paul B Speiller MD  Family Medicine  Baum and Palumbo MDs  Internal Medicine Associates  Internal Medicine Associates  Samuel Jacobson MD PA  Internal Medicine Associates  Internal Medicine Associates  Center for Precious Minds  Baum and Palumbo MDs  Internal Medicine Associates  Internal Medicine Associates  David I Levey MD  Boca Physicians PA  David I Levey MD  Joseph Z Krause MD  Boca Physicians PA  David I Levey MD  Sara S Levine MD  Fernando Lopez-Ivern MD  Fernando Lopez-Ivern MD  David I Levey MD  David I Levey MD  Boca Physicians PA  David I Levey MD  Boca Physicians PA  Nick Ieremia MD  University Medical Associates  University Medical Associates  Gregory S Cohn MD  Jose C Meeroff MD  Advanced Medical & Derm Aesthetics  Adult Medicine of Broward Boca Raton, FloridaUpcoming Local Events2012-05-26
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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 Boca Raton
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