Hyperkalemia Center - Evansville, INEvansville 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 Evansville * Deaconess Hospital Hospitalists  Echo Community Health Care  Midwest Internal Medicine  Deaconess Hospital Hospitalists  Deaconess Hospital Hospitalists  Deaconess Hospital Hospitalists  Deaconess Hospital Hospitalists  Deaconess Hospital Hospitalists  Deaconess Hospital Hospitalists  Deaconess Hospital Hospitalists  Deaconess Hospital Hospitalists  Deaconess Hospital Hospitalists  Deaconess Hospital Hospitalists  Deaconess Hospital Hospitalists  Deaconess Hospital Hospitalists  Deaconess Hospital Hospitalists  Deaconess Hospital Hospitalists  Deaconess Clinic East Diabetic Dept  Deaconess Downtown Internal Medicine  Deaconess Downtown Internal Medicine  Deaconess Downtown Internal Medicine  Deaconess Clinic East Diabetic Dept  Deaconess Downtown Internal Medicine  Deaconess Clinic Physicians  Deaconess Downtown Internal Medicine  Deaconess Clinic East Diabetic Dept  St Marys Senior Health Center  Med Peds  Med Peds  Deaconess Primary Care For Seniors  Priority Care Services  Priority Care Services  Priority Care Services  Priority Care Services  Priority Care Services  Mission Health  Mission Health  Mission Health  Mission Health  Bryan Laura MD  Mission Health  Mission Health  Jason Samuel MD  Karl Sash MD  Nephrology Associates  Sudheer Gurram MD  Deaconess Medical Group  Deaconess Medical Group  Convenient Care Epworth  Syed A Ali MD  Drs Vogel Lee & Rapp  Deaconess Clinic  Deaconess Clinic  Deaconess Clinic  Reva Sharma MD  Good Samaritan Hospital  Medical Center of Vincennes  Medical Center  Medical Center of Vincennes  Medical Center of Vincennes  Medical Center of Vincennes  Ferdinand Clinic  Jasper Family Physicians  Martha Yearsley MD  Internal Medicine of DuBois County  Internal Medicine of DuBois County  Joseph H Munning MD  Diabetes Management Center  Tell City Clinic  Jip J Yoon MD  Martin County Health Center  Robert B Avena MD  Devi K Pierce MD  Shelburn Clinic  Shelburn Clinic  Bedford Medical Group  Medhat H Girgis MD  Kamal Girgis MD  Bedford Medical Group  Bedford Medical Group  Bedford Medical Group  R B Kalari MD  Pratap Singh MD  Theresa A Travis MD  Sudha P Patel MD  Jon L Stockrahm DO Evansville, IndianaUpcoming Local Events2012-05-28
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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 Evansville
Nearby Evansville Hospitals *Deaconess Hospital Select Specialty Hospital Evansville Evansville State Hospital St Elizabeth Ann Seton Specialty Care Hospital St Mary's Medical Center HEALTHSOUTH Deaconess Rehabilitation Hospital Deaconess Cross Pointe The Women's Hospital Methodist Hospital St Mary's Warrick Rivervalley Behavioral Health Hospital Gibson General Hospital Owensboro Medical Health System Wabash General Hospital District Methodist Hospital of Union County 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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