Hyperkalemia Center - Dothan, ALDothan 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 Dothan * Renal Hypertension Clinic PC  Renal Hypertension Clinic PC  West Main Medical Center  John C Wessner MD  Southern Clinic  Southern Clinic  Southern Clinic  Southern Clinic  Southern Clinic  Dothan Hypertension Nephrology  Southern Clinic  Dothan Primary Medical Associates  Hearts South PC  Dothan Medical Associates  Southeast Cardiology  Fairview Clinic PC  Dothan Medical Associates  Dothan Hematology & Oncology  Fairview Clinic PC  Southeast Cardiology  Dothan Hematology & Oncology  Fairview Clinic PC  Fairview Clinic PC  Fairview Clinic PC  Edward Robson MD  Dothan Medical Associates  Dothan Medical Associates  Dothan Medical Associates  Dothan Medical Associates  Southeast Cardiology  Kenneth L Todd MD  Southeast Alabama Dermatology Center  Multi-Specialty Clinic  Dothan Hematology & Oncology  Multi-Specialty Clinic  Multi-Specialty Clinic  Multi-Specialty Clinic  Multi-Specialty Clinic  Diana M Mancuso MD  Multi-Specialty Clinic  Multi-Specialty Clinic  Alabama Asthma & Allergy Clinic  Internal Medicine Associates of Dothan PA  Internal Medicine Associates of Dothan PA  Internal Medicine Associates of Dothan PA  Internal Medicine Associates of Dothan PA  Internal Medicine Associates of Dothan PA  Internal Medicine Associates of Dothan PA  Internal Medicine Associates of Dothan PA  Internal Medicine Associates of Dothan PA  Internal Medicine Associates of Dothan PA  Internal Medicine Associates of Dothan PA  Luna U Sy MD  Robert J Kreutzmann MD  Enterprise Medical Clinic  Enterprise Medical Clinic  Enterprise Medical Clinic  Enterprise Medical Clinic  Enterprise Medical Clinic  Professional Medical Associates  Gertrude E Nixon MD  Eufaula Internal Medicine Inc  Eufaula Internal Medicine Inc  William D King MD  Pike Internal Medicine  Pike Internal Medicine  Sasikumar Vishwanath MD  Tri Med Center for Family Medicine  Dialysis Clinic Inc  Samuel P Walker MD  Rex A Butler MD  Samuel A Gacha MD  Darshana V Vyas MD & Vijay C Vyas MD  Darshana V Vyas MD & Vijay C Vyas MD  Joann Smith MD  Robert M Ritchea MD  Casals Clinic Inc  Montgomery East Family Practice  Ruth I Miller-Frost MD  Auburn Primary Care  Bryan D Strickland MD  Internal Medicine Associates  Internal Medicine Associates  Internal Medicine Associates  PriMed Vaughan Rd  Internal Medicine Associates  Internal Medicine Associates  Kevin Jackson MD  Roger D Glymph MD  Tallassee Family Care  Auburn Internal Medicine PC  Auburn Internal Medicine PC  Central Alabama Internal Medicine  Peter B Lambert MD  Kenneth D Strother MD  Healthsouth Rehab Hospital  Continuity Health Care  Internal Medicine Associates PC  Internal Medicine Associates PC  Internal Medicine Associates PC Dothan, AlabamaUpcoming Local Events2012-06-17
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Sunny Hills - 35 Miles North of Panama City, FL, Florida 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 Dothan
Nearby Dothan Hospitals *Southeast Alabama Medical Center HEALTHSOUTH Rehab Hospital of Dothan Flowers Hospital Campbellton-Graceville Hospital Dale Medical Center Medical Center Enterprise Early Memorial Hospital Jackson Hospital Wiregrass Medical Center Donalsonville Hospital Northwest Florida 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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