Hyperkalemia Center - Highlands Ranch, COHighlands Ranch 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 Highlands Ranch * Colorado Blood & Cancer Care LLC  Med Express Urgent Care  South Park Internal Medicine  South Park Internal Medicine  John M Hiner MD  Jack D Aikin MD  William T Gipson MD  Thomas C White MD PC  Robert Blayney MD  Littleton Internal Medicine Associates  Andy M Fine MD  Littleton Internal Medicine Associates  Mile High Oncology  Littleton Internal Medicine Associates  Ratner & Straight& Reitz MDs  Ratner & Straight& Reitz MDs  Littleton Internal Medicine Associates  Center for Endocrinology & Diabetes  University of Colorado Family Medicine at Park Meadows  Brian Paul O'Sullivan MD  Martel Medical Office Inc  Arapahoe Internal Medicine PC  Arapahoe Internal Medicine PC  Arapahoe Internal Medicine PC  Arapahoe Internal Medicine PC  Susan Savage MD  Blue Ridge Innovative Health  David A Burrows MD  Advanced Integrative Medicine  Denver Endocrinology Diabetes & Metabolism  Summit Internal Medicine & Pediatrics  First Internal Medicine  South Denver Internal Medicine  Brent Penland MD  Medical Occupational Environmental Toxicology  Rocky Mountain Infectious Disease Specialists PC  Summit Internal Medicine & Pediatrics  Rocky Mountain Family Medicine  Denver Pain Management  Stephen Gorshow MD  Global Medicine  Eastwest Health Center  The Schreiber Clinic PC  Centennial Medical Center  Brian Bishop MD  In Patient Medical Services  In Patient Medical Services  Teng Chang MD PC  Christopher M Courtney MD  Front Range Internal Medicine PC  Carol A Goldberg MD  South Denver Infectious Disease Specialists  In Patient Medical Services  South Denver Medicine Associates  In Patient Medical Services  Front Range Internal Medicine PC  In Patient Medical Services  Family Practice Inpatient PC  In Patient Medical Services  South Denver Infectious Disease Specialists  Michael P O'Leary MD  In Patient Medical Services  In Patient Medical Services  Front Range Internal Medicine PC  Front Range Internal Medicine PC  Jeanne Seibert MD  South Denver Medicine Associates  In Patient Medical Services  Front Range Internal Medicine PC  Front Range Internal Medicine PC  Rocky Mountain Medical Group PC  Rocky Mountain Health Centers South PC  Provident Adult & Senior Health Inc  Provident Adult & Senior Health Inc  Provident Adult & Senior Health Inc  Greater Denver Infectious Diseases  Lawrence Coulehan MD  Michael Guese MD  Edward J Ho MD  Andrew M Ho MD  Apollo Internal Medicine LLC  HealthMark A Center For Integrated Healing  HealthMark A Center For Integrated Healing  HealthMark A Center For Integrated Healing  HealthMark A Center For Integrated Healing  HealthMark A Center For Integrated Healing  HealthMark A Center For Integrated Healing  Smoky Hill Family Medicine  Centennial Primary Medicine  Centennial Primary Medicine  Myoung H Kim MD  Myoung H Kim MD  Jae Y Lee DO  William Alford MD  Rocky Vista Health Center  J Wm Martin MD  Maurine Onat MD  Leder Internal Medicine  Internal Medicine Southwest PC  Internal Medicine Southwest PC Highlands Ranch, ColoradoUpcoming 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 Highlands Ranch
Nearby Highlands Ranch Hospitals *Highlands Behavioral Health System Sky Ridge Medical Center Littleton Adventist Hospital Centennial Medical Plaza Craig Hospital Swedish Medical Center Colorado Mental Health Institute at Fort Logan Porter Adventist Hospital Select Specialty Hospital Denver South Parker Adventist Hospital The Medical Center of Aurora South Campus Denver Health Medical Center Rose Medical Center University of Colorado Hospital Denver Denver VA Medical Center National Jewish Medical and Research Center Exempla Saint Joseph Hospital Kindred Hospital Denver Presbyterian St Luke's Medical Center Select Specialty Hospital Denver The Medical Center of Aurora North Campus Triumph Hospital Aurora Colorado Acute Hospital Spalding Rehabilitation Hospital St Anthony Central Hospital University of Colorado Hospital Aurora Anschutz Medical Campus The Children's Hospital Exempla West Pines Hospital Exempla Lutheran Medical Center North Valley Hospital St Anthony North Hospital North Suburban Medical Center Platte Valley Medical Center Centennial Peaks Hospital Avista Adventist Hospital Exempla Good Samaritan Medical Center 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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