Hyperkalemia Center - Kenner, LAKenner 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 Kenner * Claiborne Medical Corporation  PMA Family Practice  Raul Estaris MD  Harshad M Patel MD  Ochsner Clinic Kenner  Ochsner Clinic Kenner  Gulf South Medical & Surgical Institute  Highland Square Physicians  Raul G Reyes MD  Physician Internal Medicine  Oschner Health Adult Primary Care  Pelican State Outpatient Center  LSU Healthcare Network Multi Specialty Clinic  Oschner Health Adult Primary Care  LSU Healthcare Network Multi Specialty Clinic  Kenner Physician Associates LLC  Kidney Consultants  Bahram Zamanian MD  Tulane Lakeside Internal Medicine Clinic  Tulane Lakeside Internal Medicine Clinic  Mack Holdiness MD  New Orleans Nephrology Associates  Metairie Family Medical Center  Metairie Internal Medicine Specialists  Nicholas J Angelica MD  Metairie Medical Associates  Infectious Disease Associates  Burkenstock Medical  Harrison Cho MD  East Jefferson Internal Medicine  East Bank Primary Care Associates  Sidney H Raymond MD  Infectious Disease Associates  Internal Medicine Consultants  The Center for Longevity & Wellness  Sofjan Lamid MD  Van T Le & Kiran Zaveri MDs  Frank J Monte MD  R Douglas Morgan MD  Parimal J Parikh MD  Escipion Pedroza MD  Metairie Medical Associates  Joseph H Puente MD  Infectious Disease Associates  Internal Medicine Consultants  Sidney H Raymond MD  Internal Medicine Consultants  Pedro N Romaguera MD  South Shore Medical Associates  Frank J Monte MD  East Bank Primary Care Associates  Dr Luis F Soto  Swan Ward MD  The Center for Longevity & Wellness  Alan N Yager MD  Van T Le & Kiran Zaveri MDs  Jack C Castrogiovanni MD  Mary Medical Clinic  Ochsner Clinic Metairie  Ochsner Clinic Metairie  Ochsner Clinic Metairie  Ochsner Clinic Metairie  Ochsner Clinic Metairie  Ochsner Clinic Metairie  Ochsner Clinic Metairie  Ochsner Clinic Metairie  Ochsner Clinic Metairie  Ochsner Clinic Metairie  Ochsner Clinic Metairie  Ochsner Clinic Endocrinology Dept  Ochsner Clinic Internal Medicine Department  Ochsner Clinic Internal Medicine Department  Ochsner Clinic Internal Medicine Department  Ochsner Clinic Internal Medicine Department  Ochsner Clinic Internal Medicine Department  Ochsner Clinic Internal Medicine Department  Ochsner Clinic Internal Medicine Department  Ochsner Clinic Internal Medicine Department  Ochsner Clinic Endocrinology Dept  Ochsner Clinic Internal Medicine Department  Ochsner Clinic Internal Medicine Department  Ochsner Clinic Foundation  Ochsner Clinic Internal Medicine Department  Ochsner Clinic Internal Medicine Department  Ochsner Clinic Internal Medicine Department  Ochsner Clinic Internal Medicine Department  Ochsner Clinic Internal Medicine  Ochsner Clinic Internal Medicine Department  Ochsner Clinic Internal Medicine Department  Ochsner Clinic Internal Medicine Department  Ochsner Clinic Internal Medicine Department  Ochsner Clinic Foundation  Ochsner Clinic Internal Medicine Department  Ochsner Clinic Foundation  Ochsner Clinic Internal Medicine Department  Ochsner Clinic Internal Medicine Department  Ochsner Clinic Internal Medicine Department  Ochsner Clinic Internal Medicine Department  Ochsner Clinic Internal Medicine Department  Ochsner Clinic Internal Medicine Department Kenner, LouisianaUpcoming 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 Kenner
Nearby Kenner Hospitals *Ochsner Medical Center Kenner River Oaks Hospital St Joseph of Harahan Hospital East Jefferson General Hospital St Teresa Specialty Hospital Tulane-Lakeside Hospital Ochsner Foundation Hospital Children's Hospital New Orleans Adolescent Hospital Luling Rehabilitation Hospital St Charles Parish Hospital Ochsner Baptist Medical Center LSU Hospital Community Care Hospital Kindred Healthcare New Orleans Touro Infirmary Southeast Louisiana Veterans Healthcare System De Paul Tulane Behavioral Health Center Tulane University Hospital & Clinic St Charles Surgical Hospital Louisiana Specialty Hospital West Jefferson Medical Center Ochsner Medical Center Westbank United Medical Healthwest Rehabilitation Hospital LaPlace Rehabilitation Hospital River Parishes Hospital Specialty Hospital of New Orleans St James Parish Hospital Ochsner St Anne General Hospital Southeast Louisiana Hospital St Anne Rehabilitation Hospital Lakeview Regional Medical Center Louisiana Medical Center & Heart Hospital Regency Hospital of Covington Greenbrier Hospital Gulf States LTAC Covington St Tammany Parish Hospital 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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