Hyperkalemia Center - Brownsville, TXBrownsville 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 Brownsville * Brownsville Community Health Center  Brownsville Community Health Center  Brownsville Community Health Center  Brownsville Community Health Center  Brownsville Community Health Center  Roberto Ponce MD  The Heart & Vascular Clinic  Valley Doctors Clinic  Valley Doctors Clinic  Valley Doctors Clinic  Robert Lekach MD  Valley Doctors Clinic  Sundeep G Reddy MD  Marcos Reis MD  Brownsville Professional Medicine  Elsa Mendoza MD  Juan Martinez MD  Medical Associates of Brownsville  Christopher R Gill MD  Subramaniam S Anandasivam MD  Subramaniam S Anandasivam MD  Daniel Malasko MD  Miguel A Molinas MD PA  Luis F Morales MD PA  Ricardo Adames MD  Heart Institute of Brownsville  Heart Institute of Brownsville  Alfredo Garcia MD  Rio Grande Medicine  Clinica Familia  Su Clinica Familiar  Su Clinica Familiar  Internal Medicine Assoc  Internal Medicine Assoc  Su Clinica Familiar  Valley Diagnostic Clinic PA  Valley Baptist Medical Center Internal Medicine  Roberto J Vieto MD  Julio A Savinon MD  Dionisio B Calvo MD  Gabriel Gonzalez MD  Pulmonary and Sleep Center of the Valley  Pedro E McDougal MD  Robert Pardo MD & Associates  Eduardo Peguero MD  Leticia M Volpe MD  John J Dominguez MD  Robert Sepulveda MD  Jose F Pena MD  Michael A Flores MD  Delta Medical Clinic  George Cantu MD  Nelson A Mata MD  Jaime Hernandez MD & Omar Gomez MD  Maximiliano Hernandez MD  Jaime Hernandez MD & Omar Gomez MD  Manuel Mercado MD  Carlos C Vela MD PLLC  Infectious Disease Specialists  Alvaro M Giraldo MD  Charles J Hines MD & Robert D Martinez MD  Savita Koolwal MD  Charles J Hines MD & Robert D Martinez MD  Raul A Martinez MD  E L Villarreal MD  Monzer H Yazji MD & Associates PA  Alberto H Gutierrez MD  Monzer H Yazji MD & Associates PA  SOCRATES A GARRIGOS, MD, PA  Crosspoint Medical Clinic  McAllen Primary Care Clinic  Cooper Internal Medicine  Juan J Salazar MD  Luis P Bay MD PA  Prakash Palimar MD  William Restrepo MD  Homero Salinas MD  Encarnacion Rodriguez MD  Tavarez Medical Center  Tavarez Medical Center  Harish Koolwal MD  Pedro M Arrazola MD  Carlos I Moreno MD & Jorge Martinez MD  Family Practice Center  Family Practice Center  Valley Emergency Medical Services  Angel L Claudio MD  Sathiyaraj George MD Valley Internal Medicine  Hinojosa Diagnositc Clinic  Sathiyaraj George MD Valley Internal Medicine  Sathiyaraj George MD Valley Internal Medicine  Sathiyaraj George MD Valley Internal Medicine  Marcel B Twahirwa MD  Marlene Chang-Brown MD  Nelson R Kalaf MD  Francisco C Rugama MD  Luis Arango MD  Alcides N Amador MD  Castrillon Family Clinic  Mission Internal Medicine Brownsville, TexasUpcoming 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 Brownsville
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