Hyperkalemia Center - Hickory, NCHickory 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 Hickory * Gastroenterology Associates  Gastroenterology Associates  Gastroenterology Associates  Internal Medicine Group  Internal Medicine Group  Gastroenterology Associates  David W Weisgerber MD  Swisher Internal Medicine  Viewmont Internal Medicine  Hickory Internal Medicine Hypertension & Renal Associates  Swisher Internal Medicine  Hickory Adult Medicine & Kidney Specialists  Hickory Adult Medicine & Kidney Specialists  Adult Internal Medicine  CVMC Outpatient Infusion Center  George E Ennis MD  Catawba Valley Internal Medicine & Hickory Chest PLLC  Catawba Valley Internal Medicine & Hickory Chest PLLC  Catawba Valley Internal Medicine & Hickory Chest PLLC  Catawba Valley Internal Medicine & Hickory Chest PLLC  Catawba Valley Internal Medicine & Hickory Chest PLLC  Catawba Valley Internal Medicine & Hickory Chest PLLC  Piedmont Infectious Disease  Piedmont Urgent Care of N Carolina  Bowen Primary & Urgent Care  Piedmont Cardiology Associates  Piedmont Cardiology Associates  Piedmont Cardiology Associates  Premier Internal Medicine PC  The Falls Medical Park  Blue Ridge Internal Medicine  Blue Ridge Internal Medicine  Rutherford College Medical Center Internal Medicine  John H Sherrill MD  Jamal Kalala MD  Lincoln County Health Dept  Caldwell Internal Medicine  Hickory Internal Medicine  Caldwell Hospice & Palliative Care  Lincoln Internal Medicine  Lincoln Internal Medicine  Charles E Crumley MD  WestPointe Medical Practice  Cardiology Associates of the Carolinas  Burke Primary Care  Burke Primary Care  Morganton Internal Medicine  Shaheen Khan MD  Morganton Internal Medicine  Sardar M Shah-Khan MD  Carolina Internal Medicine  Thomas K McMahan MD  Carolina Specialty Care PA  Ranjit Weerakoon MD  First Foundation Clinic  Blue Ridge Cardiology & Internal Medicine  Blue Ridge Cardiology & Internal Medicine  Greenway Health Care  Medical Associates of Wilkes  Medical Associates of Wilkes  Northwest Digestive Health  Wilkes Internal Medicine  Blue Ridge Cardiology & Internal Medicine  Wilkes Internal Medicine  Blue Ridge Cardiology & Internal Medicine  Zbigniew Cichon MD  James M Rhyne MD  James M Rhyne MD  Internal Medicine of Cleveland County  Iredale Memorial Hospital  Riverside Medical Associates PLLC  William A White MD  Carolina Pulmonary & Comprehension Sleep Center  Henry C Walters Jr. MD  Carolina Family Medicine & Urgent Care  Shelby Medical Associates PA  Shelby Medical Associates PA  Shelby Medical Associates PA  Shelby Medical Associates PA  Piedmont Healthcare  Piedmont Healthcare  Shelby Medical Associates PA  Piedmont Healthcare  Shelby Medical Associates PA  Shelby Medical Associates PA  The Sanger Clinic Shelby  Irving Williams MD  Kidney Care PC  Kidney Care PC  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 Hickory, North CarolinaUpcoming Local Events2012-06-16
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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 Hickory
Nearby Hickory Hospitals *Frye Regional Medical Center Catawba Valley Medical Center Valdese General Hospital Frye Regional Medical Center Alexander Campus Caldwell Memorial Hospital Grace Hospital Broughton Hospital Carolinas Medical Center Lincoln Iredell Memorial Hospital Davis Regional Medical Center Lake Norman Regional Medical Center Wilkes Regional Medical Center Cleveland Regional Medical Center Kings Mountain Hospital Gaston Memorial Hospital Blowing Rock Hospital Presbyterian Hospital Huntersville 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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