Hyperkalemia Center - Elgin, ILElgin 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 Elgin * Angel Gomez-Galan MD  Shah Medical Center  Shah Medical Center  Cardiac Arrhythmia Services Ltd  Daksha Mehta MD  Marius O Mokwe MD  Viswanatham Susarla MD  Internamed Inc  Associates in Endocrinology  Associates in Endocrinology  Ghani Medical  William L Nelson MD  Elio M Vento MD & Associates  Elgin Internal Medical Associates  Elgin Internal Medical Associates  Elgin Internal Medical Associates  Elgin Internal Medical Associates  Elgin Gastroenterology  Elgin Internal Medical Associates  Heritage Primary Care  Northwest Healthcare  Northwest Healthcare  Northwest Healthcare  Focus Internal Medicine  Briarwood Medical Center  Focus Internal Medicine  Briarwood Medical Center  Germbusters PC  Signature Medical Associates  Fidai Medical Group  Fidai Medical Group  Signature Medical Associates  Signature Medical Associates  Garb & McGuire MDs  Signature Medical Associates  Fox Valley Hematology & Oncology  Fox Valley Internal Medicine  Dupage Medical Group  Sherman Medical Practice  Sherman Medical Practice  Sherman Medical Practice  Raj Patel MD  Greater Valley Medicine  Greater Valley Medicine  Greater Valley Medicine  Fox Prairie Medical  Fox Prairie Medical  Fox Prairie Medical  David C Roble MD  Robert Reeder MD & Associates  Mercy Algonquin Medical Center  Mercy Algonquin Medical Center  St Charles Family Medical Center  Drs Demke & Hadi  Arsenio Atadero MD & Jennifer Atadero MD  Arsenio Atadero MD & Jennifer Atadero MD  Westbrook Internal Medicine  Northwest Healthcare & Assoc  Januario P Estrada MD  Northwest Healthcare & Assoc  Westbrook Internal Medicine  Westbrook Internal Medicine  Internal Medicine Associates  Northwest Healthcare & Assoc  Ritesh Patel MD  Internal Medicine Associates  Northwest Healthcare & Assoc  Westbrook Internal Medicine  Internal Medicine Associates  Northwest Healthcare & Assoc  Manish Sawlani MD  Hashemi Medical Group at the Barrington Clinic  Key Medical Group  Key Medical Group  Key Medical Group  Thatcher Medical  American Family Doctor  American Family Doctor  Thatcher Medical  Przemysla W Lastowiecki MD  Przemysla W Lastowiecki MD  Algimantas Kerpe MD  Gastrointestinal Health Specialists LLC  Gastrointestinal Health Associates  Advanced Center for Internal Medicine SC  Richard S Izewksi MD  Percival A Bigol MD  Robert Small MD  Sunita Talwar MD  Internal Medicine Associates  Internal Medicine Associates  Robert Schwartenberg MD  Internal Medicine Associates  Garb & McGuire MDs  Gastroenterology & Internal Medicine Specialists SC  Medical Specialists Ltd & Laser Care  Medical Specialists Ltd & Laser Care  Barrington Specialists  Barrington Specialists  Dupage Medical Group Wheaton Elgin, 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 Elgin
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