Hyperkalemia Center - Huntersville, NCHuntersville 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 Huntersville * Rosedale Infectious Disease  The Women's Care Center  University Medical Associates  University Medical Associates  Gilead Road Pediatrics & Internal Medicine  University Medical Associates  University Medical Associates  Gilead Road Pediatrics & Internal Medicine  Mecklenburg Medical Group Northcross  Mecklenburg Medical Group Northcross  Mecklenburg Medical Group Northcross  Charlotte Gastroenterology & Hepatology PLLC  Charlotte Gastroenterology & Hepatology PLLC  NorthCross Medical Center PC  Huntersville Pediatrics & Internal Medicine  Huntersville Pediatrics & Internal Medicine  Huntersville Pediatrics & Internal Medicine  Huntersville Pediatrics & Internal Medicine  Carolina Asthma & Allergy Center  Carolina Digestive Health Associates PA  Internal Medicine and Wellness Center  Ardsley Internal Medical Group  Presbyterian Healthcare Associates  Presbyterian Healthcare Associates  Presbyterian Healthcare Associates  Primecare Medical Center  Primecare Medical Center  Mountain Island Urgent Care  North Charlotte Medical Specialists  Meridian Medical University Office  Carolina Digestive Health Associates PA  North Charlotte Medical Specialists  Meridian Medical University Office  North Charlotte Medical Specialists  North Charlotte Medical Specialists  Carolina Digestive Health Associates PA  University Internal Medicine & Pediatrics  Carolina Digestive Health Associates PA  Lake Norman Regional Medical Center  Lake Medical Associates  Lake Norman Regional Medical Center  Brian B Blackburn MD  Mooresville Internal Medicine Associates  Mooresville Internal Medicine Associates  Mooresville Internal Medicine Associates  Michael M Haahs MD  Kidney Care PC  Kidney Care PC  Mooresville Internal Medicine Associates  Mooresville Internal Medicine Associates  Charlotte Gastroenterology & Hepatology PLLC  Lake Medical Associates  Charlotte Gastroenterology & Hepatology PLLC  Charlotte Gastroenterology & Hepatology PLLC  Trinity Healthcare  Trinity Healthcare  Freedom Medical  First Charlotte Physicians Epicentre  First Charlotte Physicians Epicentre  First Charlotte Physicians Epicentre  First Charlotte Physicians Epicentre  First Charlotte Physicians Epicentre  First Charlotte Physicians Epicentre  Mecklenburg Medical Group Uptown  Mecklenburg Medical Group Uptown  Mecklenburg Medical Group Uptown  Mecklenburg Medical Group Uptown  Mecklenburg Medical Group Uptown  Mecklenburg Medical Group Uptown  Mecklenburg Medical Group Uptown  Mecklenburg Medical Group Uptown  Mecklenburg Medical Group Uptown  Americare Health  Americare Health  Ardsley Internal Medical Group  Ardsley Internal Medical Group  Carolina Internal Medicine  Hospice at Charlotte & New South Healthcare  Carolina Diabetes Center  Presbyterian Hospital Internal Medicine  Presbyterian Hospital Internal Medicine  Presbyterian Hospital Internal Medicine  Presbyterian Hospital Internal Medicine  Presbyterian Hospital Internal Medicine  Presbyterian Hospital Internal Medicine  Presbyterian Hospital Internal Medicine  Presbyterian Hospital Internal Medicine  Presbyterian Hospital Internal Medicine  Presbyterian Hospital Internal Medicine  Presbyterian Hospital Internal Medicine  Presbyterian Hospital Internal Medicine  Presbyterian Hospital Internal Medicine  Presbyterian Hospital Internal Medicine  Presbyterian Hospital Internal Medicine  Presbyterian Hospital Internal Medicine  Four Jewels Healthways  Presbyterian Senior Healthcare  Carolina Medical Associates  Carolina Medical Associates  Metrolina Internal Medicine Huntersville, North CarolinaUpcoming Local Events2012-06-04
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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 Huntersville
Nearby Huntersville Hospitals *Presbyterian Hospital Huntersville Carolinas Medical Center University Lake Norman Regional Medical Center NorthEast Medical Center Presbyterian Hospital Presbyterian Orthopaedic Hospital Carolinas Medical Center Mercy Carolinas Medical Center Carolinas Rehabilitation Behavioral Health Center CMC Randolph Gaston Memorial Hospital Presbyterian Hospital Matthews Carolinas Medical Center Pineville Carolinas Medical Center Lincoln Iredell Memorial Hospital WG Bill Hefner VA Medical Center Davis Regional Medical Center Rowan Regional Medical Center Catawba Valley Medical Center HEALTHSOUTH Rehabilitation Hospital of Rock Hill Kings Mountain Hospital Piedmont Healthcare System Carolinas Medical Center Union 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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