Hyperkalemia Center - Flint, MIFlint 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 Flint * McLaren Internal Medicine  McLaren Internal Medicine  McLaren Internal Medicine  McLaren Internal Medicine  McLaren Internal Medicine  McLaren Internal Medicine  McLaren Internal Medicine  McLaren Internal Medicine  McLaren Internal Medicine  McLaren Internal Medicine  McLaren Internal Medicine  McLaren Internal Medicine  McLaren Internal Medicine  Farhan Khan MD  Dismond Saeed Abuharaz MD  Hurley Family Ambulatory Center  Hurley Medical Center  Hurley Family Ambulatory Center  Medical Specialty Care Center  Hurley Medical Center Internal Medicine  Hurley Medical Center Internal Medicine  Hurley Medical Center Internal Medicine  Hurley Medical Center Internal Medicine  Hurley Medical Center  Dismond Saeed Abuharaz MD  Hurley Medical Center Internal Medicine  Hurley Medical Center Internal Medicine  Hurley Family Ambulatory Center  Hurley Medical Center Internal Medicine  Genesys Hematology and Oncology  Ahmed Arif MD  Ahmed Arif MD  South Saginaw Internal Medicine  Michigan Health Specialists  Michigan Health Specialists  Internal Medicine Associates Flint  Internal Medicine Associates Flint  Hamilton Community Health Network  Medical Coverage Services PC  McLaren Regional Medical Center  Wassim Ali MD  Nephrology & Hypertension PC  R R Peddireddy MD  R R Peddireddy MD  Nephrology & Hypertension PC  R R Peddireddy MD  Nephrology & Hypertension PC  R R Peddireddy MD  McLaren Regional Medical Center  Nephrology & Hypertension PC  R R Peddireddy MD  Nephrology & Hypertension PC  Susan J Smith MD  Genesys West Flint Health Center  Genesys West Flint Health Center  Singh & Arora Oncology/Hematology PC  Genesys West Flint Health Center  Genesys West Flint Health Center  Singh & Arora Oncology/Hematology PC  Genesys West Flint Health Center  Genesys West Flint Health Center  Genesys West Flint Health Center  Genesys West Flint Health Center  Genesys West Flint Health Center  Genesys West Flint Health Center  Genesys West Flint Health Center  Genesys West Flint Health Center  Genesys West Flint Health Center  Genesys West Flint Health Center  Genesys West Flint Health Center  Genesys West Flint Health Center  Singh & Arora Oncology/Hematology PC  Singh & Arora Oncology/Hematology PC  Genesys West Flint Health Center  Urgent Medical Center of Flint  Genesee Lung Associates  Genesee Lung Associates  Genesee Lung Associates  Abdul K Razzak MD  Jagdish K Shah MD  Paul H Musson MD  Samiullah H Sayyid MD  Mohammad B Al Jabban MD  Parmanand Khandelwal MD  Barry Miller MD  McLaren Community Medical Center Grand Blanc  North Pointe Community Health Care Point Network  Inderjit S Bhatti MD  Kelvin Callaway MD  The Fatique & Fibromyalgia Clinic of Michigan  Michigan Internal Medicine  Kiran & Hardas MDs  Caroline D Mathew MD  Hindi S Ahmed MD  Allen G. Trager, DO PC  Allen G. Trager, DO PC  May M Ghalib MD  Alan P Goldberg MD  McLaren Family Care Center  Jitendra P Katneni MD Flint, MichiganUpcoming Local Events2012-06-01
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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 Flint
Nearby Flint Hospitals *Hurley Medical Center McLaren Regional Medical Center Select Specialty Hospital Genesys Regional Medical Center Lapeer Regional Medical Center Memorial Healthcare St Joseph Mercy Livingston Hospital Huron Valley-Sinai Hospital Saint Mary's of Michigan Covenant Medical Center Cooper Covenant Medical Center Harrison Select Specialty Hospital Doctors' Hospital of Michigan POH Regional Medical Center Havenwyck Hospital Aleda E Lutz VA Medical Center Select Specialty Hospital Pontiac St John Brighton Hospital St Joseph Mercy Oakland 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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