Hyperkalemia Center - Hamden, CTHamden 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 Hamden * Whitney Internal Medicine  Astrid G. Clarke, M.D. LLC  Whitney Internal Medicine  Karen E Dahl MD  Connecticut Medical Group  R E Lebson MD  Whitney Internal Medicine  CT Medical Group  Quinnipiac Internal Medicine PC  CT Medical Group  Whitney Internal Medicine  Family Practice & Internal Medicine LLC  Family Practice & Internal Medicine LLC  Mt Carmel Medical Associates,LLC  Mt Carmel Medical Associates,LLC  Mt Carmel Medical Associates,LLC  Steven J Blander MD  ProHealth Physicians of Hamden  ProHealth Physicians of Hamden  Internal Medicine of Greater New Haven LLC  The Cardiology Group PC  Internal Medicine of Greater New Haven LLC  Internal Medicine of Greater New Haven LLC  The Cardiology Group PC  The Cardiology Group PC  Ronald E Coe MD  Michael Bergman MD & David Stevenson APRN  Robert Henry MD  Broadway Medical Group LLC  Broadway Medical Group LLC  Medical Associates of North Haven LLC  Medical Associates of North Haven LLC  Medical Associates of North Haven LLC  Broadway Medical Group LLC  Family Practice & Internal Medicine LLC  Family Practice & Internal Medicine LLC  James B Fanning Sr MD  Family Practice & Internal Medicine of Hamden  General Practice of Hamden PC  General Practice of Hamden PC  Village Medical Associates PC  Village Medical Associates PC  Village Medical Associates PC  Fred V Gager MD  Fair Haven Community Health Center  Fair Haven Community Health Center  Fair Haven Community Health Center  Fair Haven Community Health Center  Fair Haven Community Health Center  Fair Haven Community Health Center  Frank J Mongillo III MD  Chapel Medical Group  Chapel Medical Group  Drs Fasano Sritharan & Lazarides  Chapel Medical Group  Drs Fasano Sritharan & Lazarides  Chapel Medical Group  Melchinger Street Rosenthal & Breier MD  Melchinger Street Rosenthal & Breier MD  Melchinger Street Rosenthal & Breier MD  Melchinger Street Rosenthal & Breier MD  Sanjay Aggarwal MD  Steven Angelo MD  Hospital of St Raphael  Yale Medical Group Digestive Diseases  Connecticut Gastroenterology Consultants PC  Stephen D Brenner MD  Hospital of St Raphael  Hospital of St Raphael  Hospital of St Raphael Cardiology  Hospital of St Raphael  Hospital of St Raphael  Hospital of St Raphael  Yale Medical Group Digestive Diseases  Medical Associates of New Haven  Hospital of St Raphael  Hospital of St Raphael  TakeHeart Cardiovascular Health Center  Luis R Cruz MD  Kabul S Garg MD  Peter N Herbert MD  TakeHeart Cardiovascular Health Center  Yale Pediatric Nephrology  New England Nephrology LLC  YNH Geriatric Services PC  YNH Geriatric Services PC  YNH Geriatric Services PC  Yale University School of Medicine Rheumatology  Eric Fan MD LLC  Dorsey Adler Geriatric Assessment Center  Dorsey Adler Geriatric Assessment Center  YNH Geriatric Services PC  Rheumatology Associates of New Haven  YNH Geriatric Services PC  Allergy & Immunology Center  Dorsey Adler Geriatric Assessment Center  YNH Geriatric Services PC  Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism  Yale Medical Group Medical Oncology  Yale Medical Group Medical Oncology Hamden, ConnecticutUpcoming Local Events2012-06-03
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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 Hamden
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