Hyperkalemia Center - Carmel, INCarmel 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 Carmel * Health & Wellness of Carmel  St Vincent Physician Network Central Carmel  St Vincents Primary Care Network  St Vincents Primary Care Network  Michele Finley MD  Karen T Shirrell MD  Internal Medicine of Carmel  Internal Medicine of Carmel  Goens Wesley & Hodges MD  Goens Wesley & Hodges MD  Internal Medicine of Carmel  Internal Medicine of Carmel  Goens Wesley & Hodges MD  Goens Wesley & Hodges MD  Respiratory & Critical Care Consultants  Respiratory & Critical Care Consultants  Respiratory & Critical Care Consultants  Respiratory & Critical Care Consultants  Respiratory & Critical Care Consultants  Respiratory & Critical Care Consultants  Diagnostic Medicine of Carmel  Diagnostic Medicine of Carmel  Diagnostic Medicine of Carmel  Ingrid E Mason MD  Meridian Adult Medicine  Meridian Adult Medicine  Meridian Adult Medicine  Diabetes & Endocrinology Associates PC  Stephen A Rappaport MD  Meridian Adult Medicine  Allergy Associates of Central Indiana  Fishers Internal Medicine  Fishers Internal Medicine  Fishers Internal Medicine  Allisonville Chiropractic  Advanced Primary Care Associates  Internal Medicine & Preventive Health  Hoosier Housecalls  Indiana Heart Associates  Heart Partners of Indiana LLC  Heart Partners of Indiana LLC  Heart Partners of Indiana LLC  Indiana Heart Associates  Kevin Logan MD  Indiana Heart Associates PC  Circle City Health Center  Circle City Health Center  Rehabilitation Associates of Indiana  Fairbanks  Fairbanks  Saint Vincent Hospital Internal Medicine Dept  St Vincent Internal Medicine Dept  Internal Medicine Associates  Northpoint Pediatrics  Saint Vincent Hospital Internal Medicine Dept  Saint Vincent Hospital Internal Medicine Dept  Internal Medicine Associates  Internal Medicine Associates  Saint Vincent Hospital Internal Medicine Dept  St Vincent Internal Medicine Dept  St Vincent Emergency Physicians  Saint Vincent Hospital Internal Medicine Dept  Saint Vincent Hospital Internal Medicine Dept  St Vincent Internal Medicine Dept  St Vincent Internal Medicine Dept  Saint Vincent Hospital Internal Medicine Dept  Saint Vincent Hospital Internal Medicine Dept  St Vincent Internal Medicine Dept  Internal Medicine Associates  Cardiothoracic Anesthesia of Indiana  St Vincent Internal Medicine Dept  Internal Medicine Associates  Internal Medicine Associates  Saint Vincent Hospital Internal Medicine Dept  Northside Internal Medicine  Northside Internal Medicine  Northside Internal Medicine  Jeffrey L Bowman MD  Pulmonary Medical Associates PC  Northside Internal Medicine  Northside Internal Medicine  St Vincent Physician Network  Pulmonary Medical Associates PC  Pulmonary Medical Associates PC  Northside Internal Medicine  St Vincent Physician Network  Northside Internal Medicine  St Vincent Physician Network  St Vincent Physician Network  St Vincent Physician Network  Comprehensive Adult Medicine  Stephen R Beck MD  Internal Medicine & Pediatrics Fishers  Respiratory & Critical Care Consultants  Comprehensive Adult Medicine  Comprehensive Adult Medicine  Priority Access  St Vincent Primary Care Center Internal Medicine  Comprehensive Adult Medicine  Internal Medicine & Pediatrics Fishers Carmel, IndianaUpcoming 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 Carmel
Nearby Carmel Hospitals *St Vincent Carmel Hospital Clarian North Medical Center St Vincent Heart Center of Indiana St Vincent Pediatric Rehabilitation Center The Indiana Heart Hospital St Vincent Children's Hospital St Vincent Indianapolis Hospital Community Hospital North Riverview Hospital St Vincent Women's Hospital St Vincent Seton Specialty Hospital Indiana Orthopaedic Hospital Westview Hospital Larue D Carter Memorial Hospital Clarian Health Methodist Hospital Community Hospital East Rehabilitation Hospital of Indiana Wishard Health Services Kindred Hospital Indianapolis Richard L Roudebush VA Medical Center Riley Hospital for Children Clarian Health IU Medical Center Select Specialty Hospital Beech Grove St Francis Hospital Beech Grove Witham Memorial Hospital Community Hospital South Tipton Hospital Clarian West Medical Center Hancock Regional Hospital St Francis Hospital Indianapolis Saint John's Health System Community Hospital Anderson St Vincent Mercy Hospital Select Specialty Hospital Indianapolis Valle Vista Health System Hendricks Regional Health Kindred Hospital Indianapolis South St Francis Hospital Mooresville St Vincent Frankfort Hospital Howard Regional Health System Main Campus Johnson Memorial 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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