Hyperkalemia Center - Covington, KYCovington 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 Covington * Healthpoint Family Care  Healthpoint Family Care  Patient First Physicians Group Southgate Site  Patient First Physicians Group Southgate Site  Patient First Physicians Group Southgate Site  Patient First Physicians Group Southgate Site  Patient First Physicians Group Southgate Site  Internal Medicine Associates of Northern Kentucky  Internal Medicine Associates of Northern Kentucky  Internal Medicine Associates of Northern Kentucky  Internal Medicine Associates of Northern Kentucky  Internal Medicine Associates of Northern Kentucky  Internal Medicine Associates of Northern Kentucky  Internal Medicine Associates of Northern Kentucky  Internal Medicine Associates of Northern Kentucky  Internal Medicine Associates of Northern Kentucky  Internal Medicine Associates of Northern Kentucky  Internal Medicine Associates of Northern Kentucky  Internal Medicine Associates of Northern Kentucky  Internal Medicine Associates of Northern Kentucky  Patient First Physicians Group  Patient First Physicians Group  Patient First Physicians Group  Ruth V Hussey DO  Patient First Physicians Group  Patient First Physicians Group  Comprehensive Cardiology Consusltants  Comprehensive Cardiology Consusltants  Comprehensive Cardiology Consusltants  St Elizabeth Business Health Center  Urgent Care  Alliance Primary Care Florence  Alliance Primary Care Florence  Comprehensive Cardiology Consusltants  St Luke Hospitalist Physicians  St Luke Hospitalist Physicians  St Luke Hospitalist Physicians  St Luke Hospitalist Physicians  St Luke Hospitalist Physicians  Daugherty Medical Group  Florence Medical Group  Florence Urgent Care  Florence Urgent Care  Florence Urgent Care  Patient First Physicians Group Walton Site  Summit Medical Group  Summit Medical Group  Licking Valley Internal Medicine & Pediatrics  Licking Valley Internal Medicine & Pediatrics  Dwight E Lewis MD  Licking Valley Internal Medicine & Pediatrics  Carrollton Internal Medicine  Carrollton Internal Medicine  Ohio Valley Endocrinology  Allergy, Asthma & Immunology PSC  Buffalo Trace Gastroenterology  Mark A Wallingford MD  Blue Grass Renal Care PSC  Georgetown Internal Medicine  Georgetown Internal Medicine  Georgetown Internal Medicine  Georgetown Internal Medicine  Richard M West MD  Cardiology Associates of Kentucky  Henry County Medical Center  Paran Saranga MD  First You Medical Center PLLC  Internal Medicine Associates Of Frankfort  Internal Medicine Associates Of Frankfort  Internal Medicine Associates Of Frankfort  Internal Medicine Associates Of Frankfort  Internal Medicine Associates Of Frankfort  A Tahanasab MD  Baptist Internal Medicine Group  Baptist Internal Medicine Group  Lexington Fay County Health Department  Northside family Medical  Northside family Medical  Cardinal Hill Rehabilitation Hospital  Kentucky Internal Medicine Group  UK Internal Medicine  Central Kentucky Medical Group PSC  Central Kentucky Medical Group PSC  Lexington Clinic South Broadway Endocrinology  Lexington Clinic South Broadway Internal Medicine  Lexington Clinic South Broadway Internal Medicine  Lexington Clinic South Broadway Internal Medicine  Lexington Clinic South Broadway Internal Medicine  Internal Medicine Associates  Central Kentucky Medical Group PSC  Bluegrass Internal Medicine Group PLLC  Palliative Care Center of the Bluegrass  Internal Medicine Associates  Bluegrass Medical Group  Drs Corales & VonUnrug  Central Kentucky Medical Group PSC  Bluegrass Medical Group  Cardiology Associates of Kentucky  Internal Medicine Associates  Palliative Care Center of the Bluegrass Covington, KentuckyUpcoming Local Events2012-05-28
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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 Covington
Nearby Covington Hospitals *St Elizabeth Medical Center North Unit Cardinal Hill Specialty Hospital St Luke Hospital East Christ Hospital NorthKey Community Care & Children's Intensive Services Deaconess Hospital Regency Hospital of Cincinnati Cincinnati VA Medical Center University Hospital Shriners Hospital Cincinnati Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center Good Samaritan Hospital Select Specialty Hospital HEALTHSOUTH Northern Kentucky Rehabilitation Hospital St Elizabeth Medical Center South Unit Mercy Hospital Western Hills Summit Behavioral HealthCare St Luke Hospital West Mercy Hospital Anderson Mercy Hospital Mt Airy Drake Center Gateway Rehabilitation Hospital Jewish Hospital Evendale Medical Center Bethesda North Hospital Mercy Hospital Fairfield Mercy Hospital Clermont Dearborn County Hospital Butler County Medical Center West Chester Medical Center Fort Hamilton Hospital St Elizabeth Medical Center Grant County McCullough Hyde Memorial Hospital Atrium Medical Center 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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