Hyperkalemia Center - Galveston, TXGalveston 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 Galveston * UTMB at Galveston General Internal Medicine  William George MD  Harborside Medical Group  University of Texas Hospital Cardiovascular Disease  UTMB Hospital  UTMB Hospital  Christian Assad-Kottner MD  UTMB Hospital  UTMB Hospital  UTMB Hospital  Harborside Medical Group  Galveston Family Health Associates  UTMB Hospital  Harborside Medical Group  UTMB Hospital  UTMB Stark Diabetes Center  Harborside Medical Group  UTMB Hospital  University of Texas Hospital Cardiovascular Disease  UTMB Faculty Group Practice Internal Medicine  UTMB Faculty Group Practice Internal Medicine  Harborside Medical Group  UTMB Hospital  UTMB Hospital  Harborside Medical Group  Harborside Medical Group  Harborside Medical Group  UTMB Stark Diabetes Center  UTMB Hospital  UTMB Faculty Group Practice Internal Medicine  UTMB Hospital  UTMB Hospital  Harborside Medical Group  UTMB Faculty Group Practice Internal Medicine  University of Texas Hospital Cardiovascular Disease  UTMB Faculty Group Practice Internal Medicine  UTMB Faculty Group Practice Internal Medicine  UTMB Hospital  UTMB Hospital  UTMB Faculty Group Practice Internal Medicine  UTMB Hospital  UTMB Faculty Group Practice Internal Medicine  University of Texas Hospital Cardiovascular Disease  UTMB Faculty Group Practice Internal Medicine  Galveston Family Health Associates  UTMB Geriatric Clinic Texas City  UTMB Geriatric Clinic Texas City  Jeffrey D Thorley MD  D L Woodson MD  Nehme Alkarra MD  Beeler-Manske Clinic  Beeler-Manske Clinic  Primary Preventative & Palliative Care Specialists  Beeler-Manske Clinic  Beeler-Manske Clinic  Primary Preventative & Palliative Care Specialists  UTMB Family Healthcare Center Texas City  The Mainland Allergy Clinic  Dickinson Medical Clinic  UTMB Specialty Care  Bay Colony Physicians  Bay Colony Physicians  Diabetes America  Diabetes America  Donna Dolle MD & Christine Le MD  Charanjeev K Mann MD  Prashanth R Sunkureddi MD PA  Prashanth R Sunkureddi MD PA  Quality Infusion  Pranav H Bhakta MD  Baybrook Family Physicians  Baybrook Family Physicians  The Deke Slayton Cancer Center  Kelsey-Seybold Clinic Baybrook  Scott Conoly MD  Kelsey-Seybold Clinic Baybrook  Kelsey-Seybold Clinic Baybrook  Bay Area Gastroenterology PA  Texas Gulf Coast Medical Group Webster  Junaid Khan MD  Stephen C Marcum & Richard Warneke MDs  Kalyanam D Subramanyam MD  Texas Gulf Coast Medical Group Clear Lake  Howard Dillard MD  Houston Pulmonary Medicine  Charles A Schuhmacher MD  Geriatric Associates  Geriatric Associates  LaPorte Medical Clinic  Jose I Mayen-Nunez MD  LaPorte Medical Clinic  Philomena Ukwade MD PA  Terrie Becker MD & Associates PA  Terrie Becker MD & Associates PA  Methodist Medical Group  The DeWitt Clinic  Federico L Dancel Jr. MD  Luis Fraga MD  Gupta Ganesh MSW  The Multi Specialty Clinic Galveston, TexasUpcoming 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 Galveston
Nearby Galveston Hospitals *Shriners Hospital Galveston University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston Mainland Medical Center CHRISTUS St John Hospital Clear Lake Regional Medical Center Clear Lake Rehabilitation Hospital Cornerstone Hospital of Houston at Clearlake Triumph Hospital Clear Lake Memorial Hermann Southeast Hospital San Jacinto Methodist Hospital Alexander Campus Triumph Hospital Baytown Bayside Community Hospital Vista Medical Center Hospital of America Bayshore Medical Center San Jacinto Methodist Hospital Garth Rd 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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