Hyperkalemia Center - Gastonia, NCGastonia 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 Gastonia * National Medical Clinic PA  National Medical Clinic PA  Radwan Ibrahim MD  Radwan Ibrahim MD  Bayen Medical Associates PA  Piedmont Associates  Gaston Medical Group  Gaston Medical Group  Piedmont Associates  Internal Medicine Associates of Gastonia PA  Piedmont Associates  Gaston Medical Group  Gaston Medical Group  Internal Medicine Associates of Gastonia PA  Gaston Medical Group  Piedmont Associates  Gastonia Medical Specialty Clinic  Gaston Memorial Hospital Hospitalists  Gastonia Medical Specialty Clinic  James E Neal MD  Gastonia Medical Specialty Clinic  Carolina Asthma & Allergy Center  Gastonia Medical Specialty Clinic  Caromont Critical Care Specialists  Next Care Urgent Care  Gaston Medical Associates  Claude Luvis MD  Carolina Digestive Diseases  Ranjit Weerakoon MD  First Foundation Clinic  Temidayo Adelekun MD  Christian Anderson MD  Cleveland Medical Associates  Everette B Thombs MD  Abdul R Gangoo MD  Charles E Crumley MD  Lincoln Internal Medicine  Lincoln Internal Medicine  Lincoln County Health Dept  Carolina Internal Medicine  Freedom Medical  Crown Clinic PA  Primecare Medical Center  Primecare Medical Center  Carolina Pulmonary & Comprehension Sleep Center  First Charlotte Physicians Epicentre  Mecklenburg Medical Group Uptown  First Charlotte Physicians Epicentre  First Charlotte Physicians Epicentre  Mecklenburg Medical Group Uptown  Mecklenburg Medical Group Uptown  Mecklenburg Medical Group Uptown  First Charlotte Physicians Epicentre  Mecklenburg Medical Group Uptown  First Charlotte Physicians Epicentre  Mecklenburg Medical Group Uptown  First Charlotte Physicians Epicentre  Mecklenburg Medical Group Uptown  Mecklenburg Medical Group Uptown  Mecklenburg Medical Group Uptown  Charlotte Internal Medicine  Shelby Medical Associates PA  Charlotte Medical Clinic  Shelby Medical Associates PA  Charlotte Medical Clinic  Shelby Medical Associates PA  Charlotte Internal Medicine  Shelby Medical Associates PA  Charlotte Medical Clinic  Charlotte Medical Clinic  Charlotte Internal Medicine  Charlotte Medical Clinic  Charlotte Medical Clinic  Charlotte Medical Clinic  Shelby Medical Associates PA  Charlotte Internal Medicine  Shelby Medical Associates PA  Charlotte Medical Clinic  Shelby Medical Associates PA  Charlotte Internal Medicine  Charlotte Medical Clinic  Charlotte Medical Clinic  Charlotte Internal Medicine  Charlotte Medical Clinic  Metrolina Internal Medicine  Carolina Diabetes Center  Metrolina Internal Medicine  Metrolina Internal Medicine  University Medical Associates  CMC Myers Park Internal Medicine  University Medical Associates  CMC Myers Park Internal Medicine  The Sanger Clinic Shelby  Gilead Road Pediatrics & Internal Medicine  Reproductive Endocrinology Associates of Charlotte  Internal Medicine of Cleveland County  University Medical Associates  University Medical Associates  Infectious Disease Clinic  Irving Williams MD Gastonia, North CarolinaUpcoming 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 Gastonia
Nearby Gastonia Hospitals *Gaston Memorial Hospital Kings Mountain Hospital Carolinas Medical Center Lincoln Cleveland Regional Medical Center Carolinas Medical Center Carolinas Rehabilitation Presbyterian Hospital Presbyterian Orthopaedic Hospital Carolinas Medical Center Mercy Presbyterian Hospital Huntersville HEALTHSOUTH Rehabilitation Hospital of Rock Hill Carolinas Medical Center Pineville Behavioral Health Center CMC Randolph Piedmont Healthcare System Carolinas Medical Center University Crawley Memorial Hospital Lake Norman Regional Medical Center Upstate Carolina Medical Center Presbyterian Hospital Matthews Catawba Valley Medical Center Frye Regional Medical Center NorthEast Medical Center 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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