Hyperkalemia Center - Edmonds, WAEdmonds 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 Edmonds * Chesed Health Care PS  Stevens Health Clinic  Stevens Hospital  William F Ehni MD  Edmonds Internal Medicine  Stevens Center for Internal Medicine  Digestive Disease Center  Stevens Center for Internal Medicine  Stevens Center for Internal Medicine  Stevens Center for Internal Medicine  Stevens Center for Internal Medicine  Richmond Clinic  Richmond Clinic  Richmond Clinic  Richmond Clinic  Richmond Clinic  Richmond Clinic  Soon Kimm MD  Internal Medicine & Cardiology  Group Health Lynnwood Medical Center  Dr Kim's Medicine & Arthritis Clinic  Pacific Medical Centers  Pacific Medical Centers  Virginia Mason Lynnwood  Virginia Mason Lynnwood  Virginia Mason Lynnwood  Virginia Mason Lynnwood  Virginia Mason Lynnwood  Virginia Mason Lynnwood  Northwest Primary Care  Minor & James Medical Group PLLC  Robert Haining MD  Drs Geoffrey Harris Kathryn Harris & Alex Krajina  Drs Geoffrey Harris Kathryn Harris & Alex Krajina  Drs Geoffrey Harris Kathryn Harris & Alex Krajina  Northwest Primary Care  Northwest Primary Care  Sleep Medicine Associates  Providence Physician Group Harbour Pointe  I Jen Chen MD  Sing Lam MD  Polyclinic Internal Medicine  Polyclinic Internal Medicine  Lake Forest Park Medical Clinic  Seattle Arthritis Clinic  Sand Point Internists  Sand Point Internists  Sand Point Internists  Joseph T Palermo DO  Pacific Medical Centers  Pacific Medical Centers  Pacific Medical Centers  Pacific Medical Centers  Pacific Medical Centers  Sound Health Solutions  Everett Clinic Harbor Point  Lake City Medical  Everett Clinic Harbor Point  John T Gallanis MD  Olympic Medical Center  South Kingston Internal Medicine  South Kingston Internal Medicine  David Aoyama MD & Richard Fogerty MD  Swedish Physicians Ballard  Swedish Physicians Ballard  Swedish Physicians Ballard  David Aoyama MD & Richard Fogerty MD  Swedish Physicians Ballard  Greenlake Primary Care  Peter R Torelli MD  Swedish Physicians Ballard  Swedish Physicians Ballard  Thomas J Deal MD & James M Squire MD  Takla E Gardey MD  Angela G Heithaus MD  Kitsap Medical Group  UWMC Roosevelt General Internal Medicine Center  UWMC Roosevelt General Internal Medicine Center  UWMC Roosevelt General Internal Medicine Center  UWMC Roosevelt General Internal Medicine Center  UWMC Roosevelt General Internal Medicine Center  UWMC Women's Health Care Center  UWMC Roosevelt General Internal Medicine Center  UWMC Roosevelt General Internal Medicine Center  UWMC Roosevelt General Internal Medicine Center  UWMC Roosevelt General Internal Medicine Center  UWMC Roosevelt General Internal Medicine Center  UWMC Roosevelt General Internal Medicine Center  UWMC Roosevelt General Internal Medicine Center  UWMC Women's Health Care Center  UWMC Roosevelt General Internal Medicine Center  UWMC Roosevelt General Internal Medicine Center  UWMC Women's Health Care Center  UWMC Roosevelt General Internal Medicine Center  UWMC Roosevelt General Internal Medicine Center  UWMC Roosevelt General Internal Medicine Center  UWMC Women's Health Care Center  UWMC Roosevelt General Internal Medicine Center  UWMC Roosevelt General Internal Medicine Center  UWMC Roosevelt General Internal Medicine Center Edmonds, WashingtonUpcoming 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 Edmonds
Nearby Edmonds Hospitals *Stevens Hospital Northwest Hospital & Medical Center Kindred Hospital Seattle Swedish Medical Center Ballard Campus Fairfax Hospital Children's Hospital & Regional Medical Center Evergreen Hospital Medical Center University of Washington Medical Center Seattle Cancer Care Alliance Group Health Central Hospital Providence Everett Medical Center Pacific Campus Virginia Mason Medical Center Swedish Medical Center First Hill Campus Harborview Medical Center Swedish Medical Center Cherry Hill Campus Providence Everett Medical Center Colby Campus Overlake Hospital Medical Center Group Health Eastside Hospital VA Puget Sound Health Care System Valley General Hospital West Seattle Psychiatric Hospital Harrison Medical Center Schick Shadel Hospital Highline Medical Center Specialty Campus The Regional Hospital for Respiratory & Complex Care Highline Medical Center Main Campus Valley Medical Center Jefferson Healthcare Cascade Valley Hospital Whidbey General Hopital 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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