Hyperkalemia Center - Elkhart, INElkhart 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 Elkhart * Padmanabha Rao Betina MD  John A Hawkins MD  Goshen Medical Practice  David C Kay MD  Heart City Health Center  Marvin R Mishkin MD  Steven Hanberg MD  Elkhart Clinic LLC  Elkhart Clinic LLC  Elkhart Clinic LLC  Elkhart Clinic LLC  Elkhart Clinic LLC  Elkhart Clinic LLC  George Mark MD  Northern Lakes Internal Medicine  Northern Lakes Internal Medicine  Granger Family Medical Center  Tae Gee Kiehm MD  Main Street Medical Group  South Bend Clinic Ironwood  Michiana Family Medicine PC  Michiana Multi-Specialty Medical Group  Thomas Bathrick DO  South Bend Internal Medicine  South Bend Surgery & Specialty Clinic  South Bend Clinic for Internal Medicine  South Bend Clinic for Internal Medicine  South Bend Internal Medicine  South Bend Clinic for Internal Medicine  South Bend Clinic for Internal Medicine  South Bend Internal Medicine  South Bend Clinic for Internal Medicine  South Bend Clinic for Internal Medicine  South Bend Clinic for Internal Medicine  Robert L Devetski MD  Peter E Sices MD  Khaleelur R Zackariya MD  Richard Wein MD  Internal Medicine Associates  Internal Medicine Associates  Internal Medicine Associates  Internal Medicine Associates  Debra R McClain MD & Barbara L Williams MD  Michiana Gastroenterology Inc  Michiana Gastroenterology Inc  Michiana Gastroenterology Inc  Michiana Gastroenterology Inc  Michiana Gastroenterology Inc  Michiana Gastroenterology Inc  Michiana Arthritis & Osteoporosis Center  Khutb Uddin MD  South Bend Clinic  Calvert Wait MD  James T Aldridge DO  Plymouth Family & Internal Medicine  Plymouth Family & Internal Medicine  Corner Care Clinic  Brian A Youn MD  Huntington Medical Group  Huntington Medical Group  Dominick Acquaro MD  Heart Center Medical Group of Fort Wayne  Heart Center Medical Group of Fort Wayne  Indiana Medical Associates  Anuradha Kollipara MD  Heart Center Medical Group of Fort Wayne  Heart Center Medical Group of Fort Wayne  Heart Center Medical Group of Fort Wayne  Heart Center Medical Group of Fort Wayne  Heart Center Medical Group of Fort Wayne  Fort Wayne Allergy and Asthma Consultants Inc  Indiana Medical Associates  Heart Center Medical Group of Fort Wayne  Indiana Medical Associates  Heart Center Medical Group of Fort Wayne  Parkview FirstCare Parkview Plaza Internal Medicine  Parkview FirstCare Parkview Plaza Internal Medicine  B R Apuri MD  Dekalb Medical Services  Indiana Medical Associates  Indiana Medical Associates  Larry Bledsoe MD  Duneland Nephrology PC  Knox Medical Professionals  Duneland Nephrology PC  Parkview First Care Carew  Parkview First Care Carew  Parkview First Care Carew  John & Dorothea Addo MDs  John & Dorothea Addo MDs  Family Practice Center  Family Practice Center  Drs Amin & Chhatiawala  Parkview First Group  Dr James Ransbottom MD  Indra Sriram MD  Advanced Integrated Medicine  Lakeland Internal Medicine  La Porte Medical Group  La Porte Medical Group Elkhart, IndianaUpcoming Local Events2012-06-09
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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 Elkhart
Nearby Elkhart Hospitals *Oaklawn Psychiatric Center Goshen General Hospital Elkhart General Hospital Saint Joseph Regional Medical Center Mishawaka Community Hospital of Bremen Doctor's Hospital LaGrange Community Hospital Our Lady of Peace Hospital Saint Joseph Regional Medical Center South Bend Madison Center & Hospital Riverside Hospital Memorial Hospital of South Bend Sturgis Hospital Lakeland Medical Center Niles Three Rivers Health Parkview Noble Hospital Borgess Lee Memorial Hospital Michiana Behavioral Health Center Saint Joseph Regional Medical Center Plymouth Parkview Whitley 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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