Hyperkalemia Center - Houston, TXHouston 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 Houston * Downtown Medical Associates  Kelsey-Seybold Clinic  Kelsey-Seybold Clinic  St Joseph Internal Medicine Associates LLP  Medical Associates  Medical Associates  Medical Associates  Ben S Magnus-Lawson MD  Narayana P Narayana MD  Patolia Shreekant MD  Alton L Steiner MD  St Joseph Internal Medicine Associates LLP  Internal Medicine & Wellness Group  Texas Medical & Geriatric Center  Texas Medical & Geriatric Center  Wills Diagnostic Clinic  Floyd Luckett III MD  Medical Associates of Houston  James H Young Jr. MD  Arthur L Williams MD  Arthur L Williams MD  Thomas Street Health Center  Joseph C Gathe Jr. MD  Rachel D Bishop MD  Gary Brewton MD  John Burpeau MD PA  Robert E Galloway MD  University Of Houston Health Center  Olendruff L Johnson MD  Charles Lee MD  Internal Medicine Specialists  Benjamin L Portnoy MD  Jorge R Quesada MD  Jorge R Quesada MD  Diagnostic Clinic of Houston  Howard K Wilson MD  Amer Zaheer MD  Amer Zaheer MD  Gerardo Bueso MD  John B Clemmons Jr. MD  Clinica Hispana PA  Jonas Garcia MD & Associates  Synergy Medical Wellness Group  Houston Renal Associates PLLC  Edith I Jones MD  Medical Clinic of Houston LLP  Medical Clinic of Houston LLP  Medical Clinic of Houston LLP  Medical Clinic of Houston LLP  Medical Clinic of Houston LLP  Medical Clinic of Houston LLP  Medical Clinic of Houston LLP  Medical Clinic of Houston LLP  Medical Clinic of Houston LLP  Medical Clinic of Houston LLP  Medical Clinic of Houston LLP  Medical Clinic of Houston LLP  Medical Clinic of Houston LLP  Medical Clinic of Houston LLP  Medical Clinic of Houston LLP  Medical Clinic of Houston LLP  Medical Clinic of Houston LLP  Medical Clinic of Houston LLP  Medical Clinic of Houston LLP  Medical Clinic of Houston LLP  MLK Med Peds Clinic  Martin Luther King Health Center  Cardiovascular Association  The Carroll Clinic  Antonio J Ramos MD  UTX General Internal Medicine  UTX General Internal Medicine  UTX General Internal Medicine  UT Internal Medicine Physicians  Cara Foldes MD  Digestive Disease Center At Memorial Hermann Hospital  UTX General Internal Medicine  Heights Doctors Clinic  UTX General Internal Medicine  UTX General Internal Medicine  David J Hyman MD  UTX General Internal Medicine  University of Texas Rheumatology Clinic  UTX General Internal Medicine  Gordon E Crofoot MD  Chi C Mao MD  Ronald M Rance MD  Devender D Reddy MD PA  Edmundo Yrigoyen MD  General Medicine Associates  Internal Medicine Group  Michael E Debakey VA Hospital  J Gregorio Casar MD  Michael E Debakey VA Hospital  General Medicine Associates  Nizar A Dholakia MD  Greater Houston Kidney Specialists  Methodist DeBakey Cardiology Associates  Partners in Internal Medicine  Internal Medicine Group Houston, TexasRated as a beta world city, Houston's economy has a broad industrial base in the energy, manufacturing, aeronautics, transportation, and health care sectors and is a leading center for building oilfield equipment; only New York City is home to more Fortune 500 headquarters in the city limits. The Port of Houston ranks first in the United States in international waterborne tonnage handled and second in total cargo tonnage handled. The city has a population from various ethnic and religious backgrounds and a large and growing international community. It is home to many cultural institutions and exhibits - attracting more than 7 million visitors a year to the Houston Museum District. Houston has an active visual and performing arts scene in the Theater District and is one of few U.S. cities that offer year-round resident companies in all major performing arts. Upcoming Local Events2012-06-02
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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 Houston
Nearby Houston Hospitals *Dubuis Hospital of Houston St Joseph Medical Center Triumph Hospital Houston Central Riverside General Hospital HEALTHSOUTH Hospital for Specialized Surgery Park Plaza Hospital and Medical Center Plaza Specialty Hospital University of Texas Harris County Psychiatric Center Harris Quentin Mease Community Hospital Memorial Hermann Hospital Ben Taub General Hospital Select Specialty Hospital Houston Heights Kindred Hospital Houston Select Specialty Hospital Houston Medical Center Memorial Herman The Institute for Rehabilitation & Research The Methodist Hospital Michael E DeBakey VA Medical Center Texas Children's Hospital St Luke's Episcopal Hospital University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center Shriners Hospitals for Children Texas Orthopedic Hospital University General Hospital The Woman's Hospital of Texas IntraCare Medical Center Hospital Lyndon B Johnson General Hospital Memorial Hermann Northwest Hospital Harris County Hospital District Texas Specialty Hospital Doctors Hospital of Tidwell Doctors Hospital Parkway Cornerstone Hospital of Houston at Bellaire Renaissance Hospital Houston Triumph Hospital North Houston Twelve Oaks Medical Center River Oaks Campus West Oaks Hospital Spring Branch Medical Center Select Specialty Hospital Houston West Riveroaks Medical Center Sharpstown Campus Memorial Hermann Southwest Hospital Memorial Hermann Memorial City Hospital Kindred Hospital Bay Area East Houston Regional Medical Center Triumph Hospital Town & Country Healthbridge Children's Hospital of Houston Bayshore Medical Center Triumph Hospital East Houston Vista Medical Center Hospital of America West Houston Medical Center Memorial Hermann Southeast Hospital HEALTHSOUTH Humble Rehabilitation Hospital Memorial Hermann Northeast Cypress Fairbanks Medical Center Hospital Houston Northwest Medical Center Methodist Willowbrook Hospital TOPS Surgical Specialty Hospital Kindred Hospital Northwest IntraCare North Hospital Cypress Creek Hospital Triumph Hospital Northwest HEALTHSOUTH Hospital of Houston North Cypress Medical Center Triumph Hospital Southwest CHRISTUS St Catherine Hospital Methodist Sugar Land Hospital Triumph Hospital Clear Lake Clear Lake Regional Medical Center Clear Lake Rehabilitation Hospital Cornerstone Hospital of Houston at Clearlake Memorial Hermann Sugar Land Hospital Kingwood Medical Center CHRISTUS St John Hospital San Jacinto Methodist Hospital Garth Rd Memorial Hermann Katy Hospital San Jacinto Methodist Hospital Alexander Campus 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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