Hyperkalemia Center - Hattiesburg, MSHattiesburg 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 Hattiesburg * Downtown Medical Associates  Dorothy L Gillespie MD  Hattiesburg Clinic - Internal Medicine  Hattiesburg Clinic Internal Medicine  Hattiesburg Clinic Internal Medicine  Hattiesburg Clinic - Internal Medicine  Hattiesburg Clinic - Internal Medicine  Hattiesburg Clinic Internal Medicine  Hattiesburg Clinic - Internal Medicine  Bridget Tah-Clayton DO  Virginia Crawford MD  Southern Neurologic & Spinal Institute  The Medical Group Of Hattiesburg  Hubsouth Medical Clinic  Hubsouth Medical Clinic  Hematology & Oncology  Seminary Family Health Center  Jefferson Medical Associates  Jefferson Medical Associates  Jefferson Medical Associates  Jefferson Medical Associates  Jefferson Medical Associates  Jefferson Medical Associates  Family Health Center  Family Health Center  Marion County Internal Medicine  Internal Medicine Clinic  Internal Medicine Clinic  Mary E Clawson MD  Coastal Family Health Center  Arthur E Wood MD  Jatinder Singh MD  Norwood Village Medical  Harish M Madnani MD  Ahmad A Haidar MD  Roberto Lopez MD  Riser Medical Associates  Orange Grove Medical Specialties  Orange Grove Medical Specialties  Coast Internal Medicine  Nguyen Huynh DO  William R Fellows MD  Pass Road Internal Medicine  Cedar Lake Internal Medicine  Thomas Poothullil MD  Philip D Compton MD  Medical Foundation of South MS  Medical Foundation of South MS  Kaizad P Tamboli MD  South Coast Internists  South Coast Internists  South Coast Internists  Center for Health Management  Internal Medicine Clinic  Internal Medicine Clinic  Internal Medicine Clinic  Blanche C Havas MD  Gulf Coast Endocrinology  Family Medical Center PA of Biloxi  Family Medical Center PA of Biloxi  James C Crittenden MD  Rowe S Crowder III MD  Biloxi Internal Medicine  Biloxi Internal Medicine  Biloxi Internal Medicine  Biloxi Internal Medicine  Biloxi Internal Medicine  Billy Wansley MD  Donald K Butcher MD  Harold T Coulter MD  Bienville Medical Center  Ocean Springs Internal Medicine  Ocean Springs Internal Medicine  Gambrell Medical Clinic  Community Health Clinic  Southern Mississippi Heart Ctr PA  Southern Mississippi Heart Ctr PA  Southern Mississippi Heart Ctr PA  Coastal Wellness Center  Coastal Wellness Center  Scott Regional Clinic  Escatawpa Family Practice Clinic  Robert D Holbert MD  Samuel J Simmons III MD  Jim Roberts MD  Larry B Aycock MD  Greater Meridian Health Center  Greater Meridian Health Center  Family Healthcare Clinic  Luis V Borrell MD  Moak Massengill Clinic  Moak Massengill Clinic  Internal Medicine Clinic  Central MS Internal Medicine  Central MS Internal Medicine  Rush Medical Group PA  Brookhaven Internal Medicine  Family Health Care Center  Rush Medical Group PA  Brookhaven Internal Medicine Hattiesburg, MississippiUpcoming Local Events2012-06-17
2012-11-11
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 Hattiesburg
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