Hyperkalemia Center - Jacksonville, NCJacksonville 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 Jacksonville * Family Urgent Care  Jose I Ros MD  Andre K Tse MD  Adnan Taj-Eldin MD  Internal Medicine & Primary Care  Wesley W Murfin MD  Southern Winds Medical Center Internal Medicine  Omni Clinic  E Carolina Medical Associates  Maple Hill Medical Center  Holly Ridge Medical Center  Swansboro Medical Center  East Carolina Internal Medicine  East Carolina Internal Medicine  East Carolina Internal Medicine  Trenton Medical Clinic  Eastern Carolina Internal Medicine  Eastern Carolina Internal Medicine  Eastern Carolina Internal Medicine  Eastern Carolina Internal Medicine  Eastern Carolina Internal Medicine  Michael Caveness MD  Eastern Nephrology Assoc  New Bern Family Practice  Coastal Internal Medicine  Coastal Internal Medicine  Coastal Internal Medicine  Coastal Internal Medicine  Coastal Internal Medicine  Atlantic Internal Medicine  Atlantic Internal Medicine  Atlantic Internal Medicine  Rocky Point Medical Center  Eastern Carolina Internal Medicine  Eastern Carolina Internal Medicine  Eastern Carolina Internal Medicine  Eastern Carolina Internal Medicine  Eastern Carolina Internal Medicine  Eastern Carolina Internal Medicine  Eastern Carolina Internal Medicine  Coastal Carolina Healthcare  Coastal Carolina Healthcare  Coastal Carolina Healthcare  Brajendra P Singh MD  Michael G Rallis MD  Kinston Community Health Center  Seaboard Allergy & Asthma Clinic  Kinston Medical Specialists  Kinston Medical Specialists  Kinston Medical Specialists  Kinston Medical Specialists  Kinston Diagnostic Group  Wallace Urgent Care  Daniel M Ricci MD  Marsha D Fretwell MD  Corazon Ngo MD  Eastern Carolina Physicians PA  Eastern Carolina Physicians PA  Eastern Carolina Physicians PA  Eastern Carolina Physicians PA  Eastern Carolina Physicians PA  Wilmington Health Family Medicine  Eastern Carolina Physicians PA  Eastern Carolina Physicians PA  New Hanover Medical Group  Physicians East Urgent Care  Vanceboro Internal Medicine  Regina M Jensen MD  Timothy A Busteed MD  H Curtiss Merrick III MD  Alonzo J Davis IV MD  Down East Medical Associates  Down East Medical Associates  Down East Medical Associates  Alicja Rafakowski MD  Dale W Caughey Jr. MD  Gerald L Points II MD  Raja G Bhat MD  Southeastern Medical Group  Southeastern Medical Group  Carolina Coast Family Medicine  Center for Integrated Health Care  Intracoastal Internal Medicine  Ami S Patel MD  Senior Health Center  Hanover Medical Group PA  Hanover Medical Group PA  Hanover Medical Group PA  William D Kassens Jr. MD  Hanover Medical Group PA  Wilmington Primary Care  Coastal Internal Medicine  Coastal Internal Medicine  Coastal Internal Medicine  Boyan A Georgiev MD  Grace N Gramley MD  Coastal Family Practice & Internal Medicine  New Hanover Regional Medical Center  James E Wortman MD  Hanover Medical Specialists PA Jacksonville, 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 Jacksonville
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