Hyperkalemia Center - East Providence, RIEast Providence 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 East Providence * Alex Mandel MD  Nephrology Associates Inc  Muhammad S Akhtar MD  Muhammad S Akhtar MD  Muhammad S Akhtar MD  Gilbert Teixeira DO  Anthony V Rocha MD  Rheumatology Associates  Wayland Medical Associates  Rheumatology Associates  Rheumatology Associates  Rheumatology Associates  Wayland Medical Associates  Wayland Medical Associates  Rheumatology Associates  John Straus MD  Herman Ayvazyan MD  Coastal Medical  Jeffrey H Drogin MD  Coastal Medical  Coastal Medical  Coastal Medical  Coastal Medical  Coastal Medical  Coastal Medical  Coastal Medical  East Providence Medical Center  Daniela Turacova MD  Vincent A Armenio MD & Associates  Vincent A Armenio MD & Associates  University Medicine Foundation Inc  University Medicine Foundation Inc  Vincent A Armenio MD & Associates  University Medicine Foundation Inc  University Medicine Foundation Inc  University Medicine Foundation Inc  University Medicine Foundation Inc  Brown University Health Science Center  Brown University Health Science Center  Coastal Medical North Main St  Coastal Medical North Main St  Coastal Medical North Main St  Coastal Medical North Main St  Coastal Medical North Main St  Providence Community Health Centers  Providence Community Health Centers  Providence Community Health Centers  Andrew Bostom MD  Javid A Calcatti 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  Cahasee Health Center  Rhode Island Hospital Ambulatory Patient Care Clinic  Lewis R Weiner MD  Rhode Island Cardiology Center  Rhode Island Cardiology Center  The Breast Health Center  Women & Infants Hospital  Women's and Infants Hospital  Women's and Infants Hospital  Women & Infants Hospital  Center for Womens Primary Care  Women & Infants Hospital  Women & Infants Hospital  Women & Infants Hospital  Women & Infants Hospital  Anchor Medical Associates  University Medicine Foundation Inc  Anchor Medical Associates  Daniel Hochberger MD  Anchor Medical Associates  Anchor Medical Associates  Anchor Medical Associates  David Steigman MD  Anchor Medical Associates  Women's Health  Women's Health  Miriam Hospital Hospitalist Service  Miriam Hospital Hospitalist Service  Women's Health  Miriam Hospital Hospitalist Service  University Medicine Foundation  Miriam Hospital Hospitalist Service  Women's Health  Miriam Hospital Hospitalist Service  Miriam Hospital Hospitalist Service  Women's Health  Miriam Hospital Hospitalist Service  University Medicine Foundation East Providence, 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 East Providence
Nearby East Providence Hospitals *Hasbro Children's Hospital Rhode Island Hospital Bradley Hospital Butler Hospital Women & Infants Hospital of Rhode Island The Miriam Hospital Southern New England Rehabilitation Center St Joseph Health Services Providence VA Medical Center Roger Williams Medical Center Memorial Hospital of Rhode Island Our Lady of Fatima Hospital Eleanor Slater Hospital Pastore Center Arbour-Fuller Hospital Kent Hospital Sturdy Memorial Hospital Rehabilitation Hospital of Rhode Island Charlton Memorial Hospital Saint Anne's Hospital Landmark Medical Center Taunton State Hospital Morton Hospital & Medical Center Newport Hospital New Bedford Rehabilitation Hospital Milford Regional Medical Center Eleanor Slater Hospital Zambarano Unit Boston VA Healthcare System Brockton Kindred Specialty Hospital Stoughton Caritas Good Samaritan Medical Center St Luke's Hospital New England Sinai Hospital & Rehabilitation Center Signature Healthcare Brockton Hospital Caritas Norwood Hospital South County Hospital Massachusetts Hospital School Westwood Lodge Hospital Day Kimball Hospital Hubbard Regional Hospital Kindred Specialty Hospital Braintree Braintree Rehabilitation Hospital Kindred Specialty Hospital Natick MetroWest Medical Center Leonard Morse Hospital MetroWest Medical Center Framingham Union Hospital Beth Israel Deaconess Hospital Needham South Shore Hospital Whittier Rehabilitation Hospital Westborough VA Boston Healthcare System West Roxbury Campus Milton Hospital Tobey Hospital Bournewood Hospital Quincy 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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