Hyperkalemia Center - Bristol, CTBristol 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 Bristol * Bristol Gastroenterology Associates PC  Jack Katz MD  Paul L Mastropolo MD  Jose A Estela MD  Arturo E Baltazar MD  John A Frazier MD  Karen Guadagnini MD  Center for Diabetes  Nadeem S Behjet MD  Pulmonary Associates Of Bristol  Pulmonary Associates Of Bristol  Pulmonary Associates Of Bristol  Pulmonary Associates Of Bristol  Gary Miller MD LLC  Bristol Hospital Inpatient Medical Services  Jack H Adler MD  Oliver B Diaz MD  Pacifico Flores Jr. MD  Sayedur Rahman MD  Yong S Chyun MD  Pro Health Physicians  Greater Bristol Primary Care  Pro Health Physicians  Pro Health Physicians  Greater Bristol Primary Care  Greater Bristol Primary Care  Terryville Medical Center  Plainville Family Healthcare  Greater Bristol Primary Care  Primary Care Physicians of Central CT  Stephen Zebrowski MD  Stephen Zebrowski MD  Endocrinology & Primary Care  Grove Hill Medical Center Plainville  Grove Hill Medical Center Plainville  Grove Hill Medical Center Plainville  Peter Giacomazzi MD  Joseph Babiarz MD  Anthony D Ciardella MD  Ralph A Giarnella MD  Leonard C Glaser MD  Joseph Brenes & C Marc Raad MDs  Joseph Brenes & C Marc Raad MDs  Aiste Norberg MD  Midstate Medical Group  Andrew D Guest MD  John A Lawson MD  General Medical  Kevin P Greene MD & Associates PC  Youssef B Khawaja MD  Alkesh Patel MD  General Medical  George M Barchini MD  Edward A Clerkin III MD  Thomas G Jones MD  Phoenix Internal Medicine Associates LLC  Edward A Clerkin III MD  Prime Care Medical Group  Craig M Bogdanski MD  Donald Rosenthal & Edmund Quinn MD  Donald Rosenthal & Edmund Quinn MD  Midstate Medical Primary Care Specialist  Midstate Medical Primary Care Specialist  Jegathesan & Jegathesan MDs  Jegathesan & Jegathesan MDs  Brass City Medicine  Paul Broomhead MD  Hospital for Special Care Dept of Medicine  Hospital for Special Care Infectious Disease  Hospital for Special Care Pulmonary Medicine  Edmund F Caporaso MD  StayWell Health Center  Scovill Medical Group  Scovill Medical Group  StayWell Health Center  Drs Harbut & Harbut  Scoville Medical Group  StayWell Health Center  Greco & Conti-Kelly MDs  St Mary's Family Health Center  Chalmers Hamill MD  St Marys Hospital Internal Medicine  ProHealth Physicians of Farmington  ProHealth Physicians of Farmington  ProHealth Physicians of Farmington  ProHealth Physicians of Farmington  ProHealth Physicians of Farmington  Jerzy S Jedrychowski MD  Valley Medical Group  Navaratnasingam Mohanraj MD  Waterbury Hospital  Woodland Physician Associates Inc  Grove Hill Medical Center Pulmonology  Waterbury Hospital  Waterbury Hospital  Lucyna Kolakowska MD  NBGH Internal Medicine  Endocrinology & Primary Care  NBGH Internal Medicine  Waterbury Hospital Bristol, ConnecticutUpcoming 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 Bristol
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