Hyperkalemia Center - Cape Coral, FLCape Coral 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 Cape Coral * Associates in Nephrology  Associates in Nephrology  Associates in Nephrology  Associates in Nephrology  Sarada Penukonda MD  Internal Medicine Associates Cape Coral  Internal Medicine Associates Cape Coral  Internal Medicine Associates Cape Coral  Internal Medicine Associates Cape Coral  Internal Medicine Associates  Specialists in Health Care  Specialists in Health Care  Specialists in Health Care  Specialists in Health Care  Christopher S Yuvienco MD  Anantha L Krishnan MD & Ramia Krishnan MD  Lee County Internal Medicine Associates  Drs Kagan, Jugan & Associates  Associates in Digestive Health  Associates in Digestive Health  Associates in Digestive Health  Bharath Radhakrishna & Juan C Domingo MDs  Bharath Radhakrishna & Juan C Domingo MDs  Bharath Radhakrishna & Juan C Domingo MDs  Lee Convenient Care North  Primary Care Associates  Lakshmi Bushan MD & Eduardo Gonzalez MD  Lakshmi Bushan MD & Eduardo Gonzalez MD  Lee Physician Group Internal Medicine  Lee Physician Group Internal Medicine  Lee Physician Group Internal Medicine  Lee Physician Group Internal Medicine  Lee Physician Group Internal Medicine  Albert R Pescitelli MD  Lee Physician Group Internal Medicine  Family Health Centers of Southwest Florida  Family Health Centers of Southwest Florida  Washington D Baquero MD  Peter A Lewis MD  Coastal Internal Medicine Specialists  Coastal Internal Medicine Specialists  Coastal Internal Medicine Specialists  Coastal Internal Medicine Specialists  Coastal Internal Medicine Specialists  Internal Medicine of SW Florida  Internal Medicine of SW Florida  Internal Medicine of SW Florida  Internal Medicine of SW Florida  Lee Physicians Group  Lee Physicians Group  Physicians Primary Care of SW FL  Cypress Family Medical Center  Internal Medicine Associates North Fort Myers  Internal Medicine Associates North Fort Myers  Valerie C Smart MD  Cancer Clinic  Troast & Associates Internal Medicine  Daniel Bendetowicz MD PA  Florida Gulf Internal Medicine PA  Associates in Nephrology  John J Green DO  Lee Physician Group at Bass Road  Lee Physician Group at Bass Road  Lee Physician Group at Bass Road  Lee Physician Group at Bass Road  Ivan Cvik MD  John Strausbaugh DO & Phillip Davis MD  Olga S Freeman MD  Francisco M Vazquez MD  Gary M Price MD & David L West MD  Internal Medicine Associates  Internal Medicine Associates  Internal Medicine Associates  Internal Medicine Associates  Internal Medicine Associates  Internal Medicine Associates  Internal Medicine Associates  Internal Medicine Associates  Gulf Coast Hospital  Glenn A Tovar Dias MD  Family Medical Clinic  Stephen Scholle MD  All Family Medical Care  Estero Island Medical Center  Jorge R Guzman MD  Bonita Primary Care  Naples Community Hospital Wound Care Center  Jorge Serra MD PA  Internal Medicine Associates  William W Richardson MS DO  I.M. Healthcare PA  I.M. Healthcare PA  Chanun Park DO  Korunda Medical Institute & Korunda Pain Management  Naples Heart & Vascular Center  Pedro Ylisastigui MD  Ziad Shahla MD  Ziad Shahla MD  Aref Wappi MD  Theodore Yaremo MD & Demetrios Gonis MD Cape Coral, 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 Cape Coral
Nearby Cape Coral Hospitals *Cape Coral Hospital Lee Memorial Hospital Southwest Florida Regional Medical Center Gulf Coast Hospital HealthPark Medical Center Lehigh Regional Medical Center Riverside Behavioral Center Charlotte Regional Medical Center Fawcett Memorial Hospital Peace River Medical Center NCH Healthcare System North Collier Hospital Physicians Regional Medical Center Pine Ridge Rd Englewood Community Hospital NCH Healthcare System Naples Community Hospital Featured Articles*Provider Directory Terms of Use: The WebMD 'Provider Directory' is provided by WebMD for use by the general public as a quick reference of information about Providers. The Provider Directory is not intended as a tool for verifying the credentials, qualifications, or abilities of any Provider contained therein. Inclusion in the Provider Directory does not imply recommendation or endorsement nor does omission in the Provider Directory imply WebMD disapproval. |
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