Hyperkalemia Center - Hoover, ALHoover 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 Hoover * American Family Care Medicine  Timothy M Ricketts MD  Timothy D Parish MD  David L Gordon MD  Frank Miller MD  Brookwood Internal Medicine PC  Alabama Geriatric Specialists  Med Help PC  Alabama Geriatric Specialists  Alabama Geriatric Specialists  Boyd Internal Medicine PC  Birmingham Rheumatology  Diabetes & Thyroid Associates  Diabetes & Endocrinology Associates  Diabetes & Endocrinology Associates  Brookwood Medical Group  Brookwood Medical Group  Hospital Services of Central Alabama  Hospital Services of Central Alabama  Alabama Comp  Brookwood Medical Group  Brookwood Medical Group  Inverness Family Medicine LLC  Inverness Family Medicine LLC  Brookwood Internists  American Family Care  Brookwood Internists  Brookwood Internists  Brookwood Internists  Brookwood Internists  High Blood Pressure Center  Emmanuel Odi MD  Brookwood Internists  Brookwood Internists  Brookwood Internists  Brookwood Internists  Frank H Rudeseal MD PC  Brookwood Internists  Michael C Mays & Raymond Browne MDs  Michael C Mays & Raymond Browne MDs  Michael C Mays & Raymond Browne MDs  Michael C Mays & Raymond Browne MDs  Abroms & Brandner MDs  Roxanne Travelute MD  UAB Inverness Clinic  James R Gewin MD  UAB Inverness Clinic  UAB Inverness Clinic  UAB Inverness Clinic  American Family Care  Cary G Petry MD  UAB Hospital Hematology Oncology  UAB Hospital Hematology Oncology  UAB Hospital Hematology Oncology  Drs Akhtar, Brainin & LeJeune  Drs Akhtar, Brainin & LeJeune  Carraway Internal Medicine Associates PC  Camellia Medical Group  Camellia Medical Group  UAB University Hospital  UAB University Hospital  J Walden Retan MD  Sarah L Morgan MD  Craig Hoesley MD  Elizabeth G Turnipseed MD  Birmingham VA Medical Center Internal Medicine  Birmingham VA Medical Center Internal Medicine  Boger & Solomon MDs  UAB Hospital Infectious Disease  UAB Hospital Pulmonary  UAB Hospital Infectious Disease  UAB Hospital Infectious Disease  Birmingham VA Medical Center Internal Medicine  UAB Hospital Infectious Disease  Steven Lloyd MD  Hepatitis Clinic Cooper Green Hospital  Ryan R Nash MD  UAB Hospital Pulmonary  UAB Hospital Infectious Disease  UAB Hospital Infectious Disease  UAB Hospital Hematology Oncology  UAB Hospital Infectious Disease  Boger & Solomon MDs  UAB Hospital Psychiatry  Birmingham VA Medical Center Internal Medicine  C Orian Truss MD  UAB Hospital Hematology Oncology  Willie D Askew MD  Birmingham Hospitalists  Simon Williamson Clinic PC  Birmingham Hospitalists  Jefferson Clinic PC  Jefferson Clinic PC  Jefferson Clinic PC  Simon Williamson Clinic PC  Simon Williamson Clinic PC  Simon Williamson Clinic PC  Simon-Williamson Clinic PC  Arlington Clinic  Simon Williamson Clinic PC Hoover, AlabamaUpcoming Local Events2012-06-17
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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 Hoover
Nearby Hoover Hospitals *Brookwood Medical Center HEALTHSOUTH Lakeshore Rehabilitation Hospital St Vincent's Hospital UAB Highlands Hospital Callahan Eye Foundation Hospital Children's Hospital Cooper Green Hospital Princeton Baptist UAB Hospital Birmingham VA Medical Center Trinity Medical Center UAB Medical West Shelby Baptist Medical Center Hill Crest Behavioral Health Services St Vincent's East Bradford Health Services St Vincent's St Clair 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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