Hyperkalemia Center - High Point, NCHigh Point 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 High Point * Guilford Child Health Inc  High Point Primary Care PA  High Point Primary Care PA  High Point Primary Care PA  High Point Nephrology Assoc  High Point Nephrology Assoc  Emerywood Medical Specialties  Emerywood Medical Specialties  High Point Regional Adult Health Center  Emerywood Medical Specialties  Stephen Ruehle MD  Cornerstone Infectious Disease  Cornerstone Infectious Disease  Cornerstone Infectious Disease  Med Center West  Med Center West  Cornerstone Infectious Disease  Med Center West  Med Center West  Cornerstone Infectious Disease  Cornerstone Infectious Disease  Cornerstone Medical Associates  Cornerstone Medical Associates  Cornerstone Medical Associates  Cornerstone Medical Associates  Cornerstone Medical Associates  Hospice of Piedmont  Cornerstone Internal Medicine  Piedmont Internal Medicine  Piedmont Internal Medicine  Harvette C Jenkins MD  Cornerstone Internal Medicine at premimer  Cornerstone Internal Medicine at premimer  Cornerstone Internal Medicine at premimer  Chair City Family Practice  Thomasville Medical Associates  Thomasville Medical Associates  Thomasville Medical Associates  Thomasville Medical Associates  Thomasville Medical Associates  Thomasville Medical Associates  Thomasville Medical Associates  Alexander Internal Medicine PA  LeBauer Health Care Jamestown  LeBauer Health Care Jamestown  Davidson Cardiology Associates  PrimeCare Greensboro  Salem Gastroenterology Associates  Salem Gastroenterology Associates  Salem Gastroenterology Associates  Salem Gastroenterology Associates  Salem Gastroenterology Associates  Salem Gastroenterology Associates  Carolina Vein Specialists  Geriatrics Consulting Services  LeBauer HealthCare Main  LeBauer HealthCare Main  LeBauer HealthCare Main  LeBauer HealthCare Main  LeBauer Primary Care Brassfield  LeBauer Primary Care Brassfield  LeBauer Primary Care Brassfield  LeBauer Primary Care Brassfield  Joseph B Henson Jr. MD  Preston S Clark MD  Greensboro Medical Associates PA  Adult & Adolescent Internal Medicine  Greensboro Medical Associates PA  Greensboro Medical Associates PA  Greensboro Medical Associates PA  Greensboro Medical Associates PA  Adult & Adolescent Internal Medicine  Vaughan Integrated Medicine  Health Serve Medical Center  Mary J Baxley MD  Charles Frazier MD  Roy Moreira MD  George Kilpatrick Jr. MD  Eagle Physicians  Eagle Physicians  Eagle Physicians  Eagle Internal Medicine at Tannenbaum  Eagle Internal Medicine at Tannenbaum  Eagle Internal Medicine at Tannenbaum  Eagle Internal Medicine at Tannenbaum  Eagle Internal Medicine at Tannenbaum  Eagle Cardiology  Eagle Internal Medicine at Tannenbaum  Moses Cone Internal Medicine  Moses Cone Internal Medicine  Moses Cone Internal Medicine  Moses Cone Internal Medicine  Moses Cone Internal Medicine  Piedmont Senior Care  Moses Cone Internal Medicine  Moses Cone Internal Medicine  Edwin J Green MD  Piedmont Senior Care  Mohan N Harwani MD  Moses Cone Internal Medicine High Point, 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 High Point
Nearby High Point Hospitals *High Point Regional Health System Thomasville Medical Center Wesley Long Community Hospital Moses Cone Behavioral Health Center The Women's Hospital of Greensboro Kindred Hospital Greensboro The Moses H Cone Memorial Hospital Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center Forsyth Medical Center Medical Park Hospital Lexington Memorial Hospital Randolph Hospital Alamance Regional Medical Center Davie County Hospital Rowan Regional Medical Center WG Bill Hefner VA Medical Center Annie Penn Hospital Chatham 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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