Hyperkalemia Center - Harrisonburg, VAHarrisonburg 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 Harrisonburg * Harrisonburg Emergency Physicians  Harrisonburg Medical Associates  Harrisonburg Internal Medicine  Harrisonburg Internal Medicine  Harrisonburg Internal Medicine  RMH Center for Corporate Health  Peak View Internal Medicine  Harry S Crawford III MD  East Rockingham Health Center  Staunton Medical Associates Inc  Staunton Medical Associates Inc  Augusta Health Internal Medicine  Augusta Health Internal Medicine  HOPE  Waynesboro Primary Care  Shenandoah Internal Medicine PC  Shenandoah Internal Medicine PC  Shenandoah Internal Medicine PC  Crozet Internal Medicine  Valley Internal Medicine  Page Health Care Associates  Northridge Internal Medicine  Northridge Internal Medicine  Northridge Internal Medicine  Northridge Internal Medicine  Northridge Internal Medicine  Robert B Ooghe MD  Blue Ridge Internal Medicine  Blue Ridge Internal Medicine  Joseph B Orlick MD  Charlottesville Family Medicine  Charlottesville Family Medicine  Jai Cho MD  James R Clark MD  Charlottesville Family Medicine  UVA Hematology & Oncology  Prompt Care Medical Center  Albemarle Square Family Health Care  UVA Internal Medicine  U of VA Endocrinology  UVA Internal Medicine  UVA Internal Medicine  UVA Internal Medicine  UVA Internal Medicine  U of VA Endocrinology  UVA Asthma & Allergy Disease Clinic  UVA Psychiatry  Student Health University of Virginia  Digestive Health Center of Excellence at U VA  Student Health University of Virginia  U of VA Infectious Disease  UVA University Medical Associates  UVA University Medical Associates  UVA University Medical Associates  UVA University Medical Associates  UVA University Medical Associates  UVA University Medical Associates  UVA University Medical Associates  Digestive Health Center  University of Virginia Health Systems  University of Virginia Health Systems  Consulate Health Care of Woodstock  Shenandoah Medicine  Woodstock Internal Medicine Specialists PC  Woodstock Internal Medicine Specialists PC  Woodstock Internal Medicine Specialists PC  Woodstock Internal Medicine Specialists PC  Woodstock Internal Medicine Specialists PC  Pulmonary Allergy Clinic  Michael E Santulli MD  Daniel W Sawyer MD  HOPE  James D Aller MD  Internal Medicine Inc  Internal Medicine Inc  Internal Medicine Inc  Internal Medicine Inc  James Knight MD  Internal Medicine Inc  Internal Medicine Inc  Christopher Zitnay MD & John S Hong MD  Christopher Zitnay MD & John S Hong MD  Lake Monticello Internal Medicine  University Physicians of Orange  University Physicians of Orange  University Physicians of Orange  University Physicians of Orange  Palmyra Internal & Family Medicine  Palmyra Internal & Family Medicine  Palmyra Internal & Family Medicine  Samuel Pasternack MD  Front Royal Internal Medicine Associates  Front Royal Internal Medicine Associates  Shenandoah Medical Associates  Front Royal Internal Medicine Associates  Front Royal Internal Medicine Associates  Shenandoah Medical Associates  Buena Vista Medical Associates  Rockbridge Internist Inc  Commonwealth Medical Harrisonburg, 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 Harrisonburg
Nearby Harrisonburg Hospitals *Rockingham Memorial Hospital Commonwealth Center for Children Western State Hospital Woodrow Wilson Rehabilitation Center Augusta Medical Center Page Memorial Hospital Whisper Ridge Behavioral Health System Kluge Children's Rehabilitation Center UVA HEALTHSOUTH Rehabilitation Hospital University of Virginia Children's Hospital University of Virginia Medical Center Shenandoah 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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