Hyperkalemia Center - Franconia, VAFranconia 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 Franconia * Internal Medicine Physicians of Alexandria  Internal Medicine Physicians of Alexandria  Internal Medicine Physicians of Alexandria  Kingstowne Family Practice  Tahira Habib MD  Springfield Family Medicine Ltd  Manchester Lakes Medical Center  Franconia Internists  Franconia Internists  My Urgent Care  Kaiser Permanente  Kaiser Permanente  Alexandria Infectious Diseases  Kaiser Permanente Springfield Medical Center  Internal Medicine Associates of Northern Virginia  Internal Medicine Associates of Northern Virginia  Internal Medicine Associates of Northern Virginia  Internal Medicine Associates of Northern Virginia  Pedro Villanueva MD  Internal Medicine Associates of Northern Virginia  Alexandria Health Care Ctr  Alexandria Adult Primary Care LLC  Virginia Medical Alliance  Virginia Medical Alliance  Virginia Medical Alliance  Virginia Medical Alliance  Dominion Urgent Care  Virginia Medical Alliance  Virginia Medical Alliance  Virginia Medical Alliance  Virginia Medical Alliance  Mimi Ahine  Evergreen First Health Immediate Care Clinic  Steven Perez MD  Leslie Brandwin MD  Leslie Brandwin MD  Leslie Brandwin MD  Leslie Brandwin MD  Alexandria Primary Care Associates  Heeshin Kim MD  Alexandria Primary Care Associates  Alexandria Primary Care Associates  Freedman Mitchell Whittaker & WU MDs  Alexandria Primary Care Associates  Robert J Heinen MD  Joel Temme MD  Alexandria Primary Care Associates  Casey Health Center  Casey Health Center  Freedman Mitchell Whittaker & WU MDs  Casey Health Center  Pratima S Fozdar MD  Christopher W Hunt MD & Joel L Koslow MD  Christopher W Hunt MD & Joel L Koslow MD  Louis B Meyers MD  Jose M Dossola MD  Quan Q Nguyen MD  Nalin G Patel MD PC  TriCare Medical Group PC  Michael A Royfe MD  Ulrich Prinz MD  Beauregard Medical Center LTD  Beauregard Medical Center LTD  Beauregard Medical Center LTD  Ngoc-Ha Nguyen MD  Beauregard Medical Center LTD  Ali A Al-Attar MD  Zafar Ansari MD  Alfred C Myaing MD  Edna Baldo MD  Tony Hsiao MD  Roya Sedghi MD  Medical & Acupuncture Clinic  Nguyen Medical Practice  Aly Sabet MD  Michael C Trahos DO  Springfield Medical Clinic  Springfield Medical Clinic  Armstrong Heyrana & Associates Inc  Virginia Cardiovascular  Northern VA Primary Care Associates  Northern VA Primary Care Associates  Mohammed Akbar MD  Primary Care Doctors Group PC  Primary Care Doctors Group PC  Drs Giordano & Schreiner  Medical Associates of Northern Virginia Inc  Medical Associates of Northern Virginia Inc  Jeevindra Rana MD  Francis R Sappington MD  Drs Giordano & Schreiner  Mussarat Tahira MD  Alan S Terlinsky MD  Mt Vernon Internal Medicine  Laurence Clark MD  Mt Vernon Internal Medicine  Mt Vernon Internal Medicine  Medical Specialists of Northern Virginia  Mt Vernon Internal Medicine  Mt Vernon Internal Medicine Franconia, VirginiaUpcoming Local Events2012-06-02
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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 Franconia
Nearby Franconia Hospitals *Inova Alexandria Hospital Inova Mount Vernon Hospital Dominion Hospital Inova Fairfax Hospital Inova Fairfax Hospital for Children Northern Virginia Mental Health Institute Virginia Hospital Center The Specialty Hospital of Washington-Hadley Fort Washington Hospital Saint Elizabeth's Hospital The George Washington University Hospital Georgetown University Hospital Sibley Memorial Hospital The Specialty Hospital of Washington Howard University Hospital Psychiatric Institute of Washington Children's National Medical Center Potomac Hospital National Rehabilitation Hospital Washington Hospital Center Washington DC VA Medical Center United Medical Center Providence Hospital The HSC Pediatric Center Inova Fair Oaks Hospital Southern Maryland Hospital Center Walter Reed Army Medical Center National Institutes of Health Gladys Spellman Specialty Hospital Prince George's Hospital Center Washington Adventist Hospital Suburban Hospital Reston Hospital Center Holy Cross Hospital Prince William Hospital Civista Medical Center Doctors Community Hospital Shady Grove Adventist Hospital Adventist Rehabilitation Hospital of Maryland Potomac Ridge Behavioral Health Adventist HealthCare Laurel Regional Hospital Montgomery General Hospital Inova Loudoun Hospital Center Graydon Manor Behavioral Health Howard County General Hospital North Spring Behavioral Healthcare Calvert Memorial 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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