Hyperkalemia Center - Cranston, RICranston 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 Cranston * David DiCecco MD  Jack Mourad MD  Coastal Medical  Coastal Medical  Coastal Medical  Judith M Gilmore MD  Daniel Valicenti MD  Partners In Primary Care Inc  Partners In Primary Care Inc  Garden City Treatment Center Inc  Garden City Treatment Center Inc  Garden City Treatment Center Inc  Joseph A DiLorenzo MD  Irving T Gilson MD  Richard P Iacobucci MD  Kardous Primary Care Inc  Amrut Patel MD  Garden City Treatment Center Inc  Woodridge Medical Associates  Woodridge Medical Associates  Hao Yuan Huang MD  Woodridge Medical Associates  Edgewood Medical  Knightsville Internal Medicine  Knightsville Internal Medicine  James K Cardi MD & Michael J Baccari MD  James K Cardi MD & Michael J Baccari MD  Coastal Medical Inc  Coastal Medical Inc  Emilio Rodriguez-Peris MD  Magdi Salmon MD  Primary Care Medical Associates Inc  Leonard A Mannarelli DO  Providence Community Health Centers  Providence Community Health Centers  PACE Organization of Rhode Island  John Cece MD  Richard B Turner MD  University Medicine Foundation Inc  David Steigman MD  Women's Health  Women's Health  Women's Health  University Medicine Foundation  Women & Infants Hospital  Women's and Infants Hospital  Women's Health  Women's Health  Women's and Infants Hospital  University Medicine Foundation  Women & Infants Hospital  Center for Womens Primary Care  Women's Health  Women & Infants Hospital  Women & Infants Hospital  Women's Health  University Medicine Foundation  Cahasee Health Center  Women & Infants Hospital  Women & Infants Hospital  Women's Health  University Medical Group  Rhode Island Cardiology Center  Medicine Pediatrics Primary Care Center  Providence Community Health Centers  Rhode Island Cardiology Center  Pasquale Mastrostefano MD  University Medical Group  The Breast Health Center  Providence Community Health Centers  Medicine Pediatrics Primary Care Center  Providence Community Health Centers  Medical Group of Rhode Island Inc  Anchor Medical Associates  Anchor Medical Associates  Anchor Medical Associates  Anchor Medical Associates  Anchor Medical Associates  Anchor Medical Associates  Andrew Bostom MD  Rhode Island Hospital Ambulatory Patient Care Clinic  Univeristy Medicine Foundation  Univeristy Medicine Foundation  Rhode Island Hospital  Rhode Island Hospital  Univeristy Medicine Foundation  Rhode Island Hospital  University Emergency Medicine Foundation  Rhode Island Hospital Ambulatory Patient Care Clinic  Rhode Island Hospital Infectious Disease  Univeristy Medicine Foundation  Univeristy Medicine Foundation  Univeristy Medicine Foundation  Providence Community Health Centers  Providence Community Health Centers  Rhode Island Hospital Ambulatory Patient Care Clinic  Lewis R Weiner MD  Jason B Boudjouk & Kimberly J Humulock MDs  Jason B Boudjouk & Kimberly J Humulock MDs  Olga Tverskaya MD Cranston, Rhode IslandUpcoming 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 Cranston
Nearby Cranston Hospitals *Southern New England Rehabilitation Center St Joseph Health Services Women & Infants Hospital of Rhode Island Hasbro Children's Hospital Rhode Island Hospital Eleanor Slater Hospital Pastore Center Bradley Hospital Providence VA Medical Center Roger Williams Medical Center Butler Hospital The Miriam Hospital Our Lady of Fatima Hospital Kent Hospital Memorial Hospital of Rhode Island Arbour-Fuller Hospital Sturdy Memorial Hospital Rehabilitation Hospital of Rhode Island Saint Anne's Hospital Charlton Memorial Hospital Landmark Medical Center Taunton State Hospital Morton Hospital & Medical Center Newport Hospital Eleanor Slater Hospital Zambarano Unit South County Hospital Milford Regional Medical Center New Bedford Rehabilitation Hospital Day Kimball Hospital Hubbard Regional Hospital St Luke's Hospital Boston VA Healthcare System Brockton Kindred Specialty Hospital Stoughton Caritas Good Samaritan Medical Center New England Sinai Hospital & Rehabilitation Center Caritas Norwood Hospital Signature Healthcare Brockton Hospital Westwood Lodge Hospital Massachusetts Hospital School Kindred Specialty Hospital Braintree MetroWest Medical Center Framingham Union Hospital Whittier Rehabilitation Hospital Westborough 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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