Hyperkalemia Center - Brick, NJBrick 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 Brick * John A Infantolino MD PC  Ocean County Family Care PA  Ocean County Family Care PA  Total Patient Care  Total Patient Care  Krzysztof Lichnowski MD  Bhoosa Malliah MD  Arle Manabat MD  Pacita C Sy MD  Shore Health Group  Atlantic Coast Gastroenterology Assoc  Shore Health Group  Tiberiu A Gross MD  Cedar Bridge Medical  Eugenia T Babiak MD  Leo E Galliguez MD  Bricktown Medical Group  Bricktown Medical Group  Jeffrey M Cryan MD  IM Care of Brick  Stephen L Newman MD  Sandip Parikh MD  Orlando Pepito MD  Petronilo Seares Jr. MD  Ocean Hematology and Oncology LLC  David S Mitchell DO  Michael L Sher MD LLC  Ramtown Medical Center  Ramtown Medical Center  Ocean County Family Care PA  Joseph E Domanski MD  Rocco Giliberti DO  Ocean County Family Care PA  Ocean County Family Care PA  Silverton Medical Center PC  Coastal Care  Coastal Care  Point Pleasant Medical Group  Point Pleasant Medical Group  James P Marlys MD  BC Medical Care  Bc Medical Care  BC Medical Care  Vinodrai V Ghetiya MD  Wilson Yap MD  Ocean Family Care PC  Joseph T Nitti MD  Heather L Robberson MD  Gastroenterologists of Ocean County  Gastroenterologists of Ocean County  Sea Girt Medical Associates  Occupational Health  Drs Gupta & Gupta  Sea Girt Medical Associates  Sea Girt Medical Associates  Shore Medical Specialists  Shore Medical Specialists  Shore Medical Specialists  Shore Medical Specialists  Shore Medical Specialists  Shore Medical Specialists  Samuel A Preschel MD  Probhat Das MD  Lawrence J Grill MD & Wilda I Smithers MD  Micah M May MD  North Atlantic Medical Associates  North Atlantic Medical Associates  Lawrence J Grill MD & Wilda I Smithers MD  North Atlantic Medical Associates  Ocean County Internal Medicine & Associates  Ocean County Internal Medicine & Associates  Ocean County Internal Medicine & Associates  Ocean County Internal Medicine & Associates  Ocean County Internal Medicine & Associates  Ocean County Internal Medicine & Associates  Shore Health Group  Shore Health Group  Shore Health Group  Shore Health Group  Robert DeMartin MD  Lin & Young MDs  Francis G Rienzo MD  Wall Family Medical  Lin & Young MDs  Ziaulhaq Zia MD  Kathleen A Dowling MD  Jose Gonzalez MD  Community Health Associates  Howell Medical Group  Community Health Associates  Anselm O Igbanugo MD  The Diabetes & Endocrinology Center  Raymond Masterson MD  Ponnambalam & Ponnambalam MDs  Ponnambalam & Ponnambalam MDs  Seaview Medical Associates  Seaview Medical Associates  Elena M Regalman MD  Donald Micallef MD  Axelrad & Zuckerbrod MDs Brick, New JerseyUpcoming 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 Brick
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