Hyperkalemia Center - Durham, NCDurham 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 Durham * Duke UMC Dermatology  Center of Aging and Geriatrics  Duke University Medical Center Internal Medicine  Duke University Healthcare Center  Barton F Haynes MD  Center of Aging and Geriatrics  DUMC Hematology & Oncology  DUMC Internal Medicine Dept  Lincoln Community Health Center Inc  Lincoln Community Health Center Inc  Lincoln Community Health Center Inc  Lincoln Community Health Center Inc  Lincoln Community Health Center Inc  Lincoln Community Health Center Inc  Michael H Richards MD  R Carl Britt MD  Triangle Heart Assoc  Research Triangle Occupational Health  Duke University Medical Center  Duke University Medical Center  Department of Hospital Medicine  Department of Hospital Medicine  Department of Hospital Medicine  Durham Regional Hospital  Durham Regional Hospital Internal Medicine  Department of Hospital Medicine  Department of Hospital Medicine  Department of Hospital Medicine  Department of Hospital Medicine  Department of Hospital Medicine  VA Medical Center Internal Medicine  Durham VA Medical Center Internal Medicine  Duke University Medical Center  Durham VA Medical Center Internal Medicine  Durham VA Medical Center Internal Medicine  Duke University Medical Center  Durham VA Medical Center  John Kihm MD  Internal Medicine Associates  DUMC Internal Medicine  Internal Medicine Associates  Duke General Internal Medicine Clinic  Durham Rheumatology  Durham Rheumatology  Duke General Internal Medicine Clinic  Duke General Internal Medicine Clinic  Duke General Internal Medicine Clinic  Duke Children's Primary Care  Duke General Internal Medicine Clinic  Durham Rheumatology  Duke University Medical Center Internal Medicine Dept  Duke General Internal Medicine Clinic  DUMC Internal Medicine Dept  Central Internal Medicine  Lakewood Pediatric & Family Care PA  Durham Internal Medicine Associates  Durham Internal Medicine Associates  Lakewood Pediatric & Family Care PA  Durham Nephrology  Central Internal Medicine  Durham Internal Medicine Associates  Durham Internal Medicine Associates  Durham Internal Medicine Associates  Durham Internal Medicine Associates  Durham Internal Medicine Associates  Durham Internal Medicine Associates  Central Internal Medicine  Central Internal Medicine  Lakewood Pediatric & Family Care PA  Lakewood Pediatric & Family Care PA  Durham Internal Medicine Associates  Triangle Community Physicians PA  Triangle Community Physicians PA  Duke Asthma Allergy & Airway System Pulmonary Dept  Triangle Community Physicians PA  Durham Medical Center North  Duke Health Center Outpatient Clinic  Metropolitan Durham Medical  Durham Medical Center North  Duke Health Center Outpatient Clinic  Metropolitan Durham Medical  Durham Medical Center North  Durham Medical Center North  Durham Medical Center North  Durham Medical Center North  Duke Health Center Outpatient Clinic  Duke Center for Aging  DUMC Dept of Internal Medicine  Duke University Medical Center  Duke General Internal Medicine Clinic  Sutton Station Internal Medicine  Sutton Station Internal Medicine  Sutton Station Internal Medicine  Sutton Station Internal Medicine  UNC Division of Endocrinology  Duke General Internal Medicine  Duke General Internal Medicine  Thomas Motyka DO  Avalon Medical Group  Chapel Hill North Medical Center Durham, North CarolinaDurham is a city in the U.S. state of North Carolina. It is the county seat of Durham County and also extends into Wake county. It is the home of Duke University and North Carolina Central University, and is also one of the vertices of the Research Triangle area (home of the Research Triangle Park). Upcoming Local Events2012-06-16
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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 Durham
Nearby Durham Hospitals *Duke University Medical Center Durham VA Medical Center Durham Regional Hospital Select Specialty Hospital Durham North Carolina Specialty Hospital UNC Health Care John Umstead Hospital Rex Healthcare WakeMed Cary Hospital Duke Raleigh Hospital WakeMed Raleigh Campus Holly Hill Hospital Granville Medical Center Person Memorial Hospital Maria Parham Medical Center Alamance Regional Medical Center Franklin Regional 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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