Hyperkalemia Center - Gary, INGary 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 Gary * Northwest Indiana Dialysis Center  Broadway Medical Group  Internal Medicine Center  Nephrology Specialists PC  Nephrology Specialists PC  Nephrology Specialists PC  Nephrology Specialists PC  Nephrology Specialists PC  William E Washington MD  Northwest Indiana Medical Consultants  Drs Dalal & Kota  Drs Dalal & Kota  Surendra J Shah MD  Shashikant R Rane MD  Sheldon R Lewis MD  East Chicago Family Services  Jaime E Ruiz-Montero MD  Hobart Clinic  Milton Gasparis MD  Rodolfo L Jao MD  Cardiovascular Consulting Associates  Cardiovascular Consulting Associates  Kantilal S Patel MD  Mohammad A Rahmany MD  Gandhi Medical Center PC  Downing Medical Corp  East Chicago Community Health Center  Krishnan Potti MD  Mirich Medical Corporation  Arshad P Malik MD PC  Mirich Medical Corporation  Advanced Medical Center  Community Care Network  Rupesh J Shah DO  Nadezda A Djurovic MD  Ahmad F Zegar MD  Northwest Family Healthcare Ctr  Northwest Family Healthcare Ctr  Internal Medicine Associates  Internal Medicine Associates  Internal Medicine Associates  Internal Medicine Associates  Internal Medicine Associates  Internal Medicine Associates  Northwest Family Healthcare Ctr  Internal Medicine Associates  Northwest Endocrinology & Diabetes  Helena Sagalovsky MD  St Anthony Clinic Cherry Creek Center  St Anthony Clinic Cherry Creek Center  East Chicago Community Health Center  East Chicago Community Health Center  East Chicago Community Health Center  Medical Specialists Highland  Ashwani Kumar MD  Portage Medical Group  Markowitz Internal Medicine  Portage Medical Group  Deanna S Porte-Keene MD  Portage Medical Group  Portage Medical Group  Columbia Medical Center  North Point Internal Medicine  internal medicine Gyriatrics and Oncology  North Point Internal Medicine  North Point Internal Medicine  North Point Internal Medicine  Premier Oncology & Hematology  Drs Castor & Chan  Drs Castor & Chan  Hammond Clinic Specialty Center  Hammond Clinic Specialty Center  Hammond Clinic Specialty Center  Hammond Clinic Specialty Center  Hammond Clinic Specialty Center  Whiting Medical Center  Hammond Clinic Specialty Center  Community Care Network Internist  Consultant in Cardiovascular Diseases  Pravin Gupta MD  Satish Patel MD  Community Care Network Internist  Fred Adler MD  Kameswari Kalluri MD  Jay C Paik MD  Nitin Sardesai MD PC  Medical Specialists Hammond  Medical Specialists Hammond  Saint Margaret Mercy North Campus  Oh J Lee MD  Linda E Rosenberg DO  Medical Specialists in St John  Steven Salgan MD  Steven Salgan MD  Medical Specialists Family Care Center of Dyer  Medical Specialists Family Care Center of Dyer  Medical Specialists Family Care Center of Dyer  Navin V Barot MD & Associates  Medical Arts Internal Medicine  Medical Arts Internal Medicine Gary, 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 Gary
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