Hyperkalemia Center - Des Plaines, ILDes Plaines 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 Des Plaines * AMC MEDICAL CENTER, LLC  Carl Silberman MD  Gary K Artinian MD  Internal Medicine  Primary Care Medical Specialists  Primary Care Medical Specialists  Primary Care Medical Specialists  Primary Care Medical Specialists  Primary Care Medical Specialists  Primary Care Medical Specialists  Fahey Medical Center  Fahey Medical Center  Lisa S Kim Medical Associates  Maine Ridge Medical Associates  North Suburban Rheumatologists  Maine Ridge Medical Associates  Maine Ridge Medical Associates  Maine Ridge Medical Associates  Life Medical  Life Medical  Universal Medical Center  Kirill V Zhadovich MD  North Shore Internists  Advocate Medical Group Nesset Pavilion  Advocate Medical Group Endocrinology  North Shore Internists  Advocate Medical Group Nesset Pavilion  Advocate Medical Group Nesset Pavilion  North Shore Internists  Advocate Medical Group Nesset Pavilion  Advocate Medical Group Nesset Pavilion  Jadav Moradia MD  Advocate Medical Group Nesset Pavilion  Advocate Medical Group Nesset Pavilion  Advocate Medical Group Glenview  Akiens & Hertz MDs  Hope Medical Clinic  Endocrine Medical Specialists  Indira Nair MD  Jean Shlyak MD  John J Oh MD  John J Oh MD  Emery Medical Center Internal Medicine  Emery Medical Center Internal Medicine  Amir A Turayhi MD  ENH Medical Group  ENH Medical Group  ENH Medical Group  ENH Medical Group  J Keith Lemmon MD SC  John M Wieland MD  North Shore Physicians Group  North Shore Physicians Group  North Shore Physicians Group  Wellness Associates SC  Lifespan Medical Associates  Eduardo Villa MD  Asimacopoulos Pankau & Greising MDs  Asimacopoulos Pankau & Greising MDs  Asimacopoulos Pankau & Greising MDs  Maria Zipp MD  Brikha Medical Center  Brikha Medical Center  Oakmill Medical Associates  Oakmill Medical Associates  Gastrenterology & Liver Disease Associates  Oakmill Medical Associates  Oakmill Medical Associates  Oakmill Medical Associates  Northwest Suburban Medical Assoc  Northwest Suburban Medical Assoc  Northwest Suburban Medical Assoc  Northwest Suburban Medical Assoc  Caughron Petersen & Leung-Stone MDs  Glen Medical Associates  Abdallah Karam MD  Glen Medical Associates  Caughron Petersen & Leung-Stone MDs  Meena Malhotra MD  Caughron Petersen & Leung-Stone MDs  Glen Medical Associates  Caughron Petersen & Leung-Stone MDs  Caughron Petersen & Leung-Stone MDs  Caughron Petersen & Leung-Stone MDs  Physicians Care Ltd  Physicians Care Ltd  Physicians Care Ltd  Physicians Care Ltd  Physicians Care Ltd  Niles Medical Associates  Miroslaw A Kuptel MD  Talcott Internal Medicine & Cardiology Ltd  Talcott Internal Medicine & Cardiology Ltd  Resurrection Medical Center Emergency Dept  Paul Fahrenbach & Arun Ohri MDs  Gary R Fahrenbach MD  Talcott Primary Care  Talcott Internal Medicine & Cardiology Ltd  Talcott Internal Medicine & Cardiology Ltd  Talcott Internal Medicine & Cardiology Ltd Des Plaines, IllinoisUpcoming Local Events2012-06-03
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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 Des Plaines
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