Hyperkalemia Center - Kent, WAKent 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 Kent * Ranu Choudhary MD  South Lake Clinic Kent  Paul A Madsen MD  John H Ball MD  Valley Medical Center Hospitalist  South Lake Clinic  Daniel L Graves MD  Daniel L Graves MD  Seahurst Medical Center  South Lake Clinic  South Lake Clinic  Pacific Medical Centers  Pacific Medical Centers  Pacific Medical Centers  Pacific Medical Centers  Gehrett Turner MD  Auburn Multicare Clinic  Auburn Multicare Clinic  Auburn Multicare Clinic  Auburn Multicare Clinic  Auburn Multicare Clinic  Auburn Regional Medical Center  Auburn Multicare Clinic  Gehrett Turner MD  Gehrett Turner MD  Auburn Internal Medicine  Adult Medicine Clinic  Seattle Cancer Treatment & Wellness Center  Des Moines Medical Clinic & Extended Care  CarePlus Medical Center  Health South Medical Clinic  Max M Lee MD  Fairwood Primary Care  Federal Way Medical Center  Laura C Perry MD & Frank J Cervenka MD  Virginia Mason Federal Way  Renato Fajardo MD  South Lake Clinic  Virginia Mason Federal Way  Virginia Mason Federal Way  Virginia Mason Federal Way  South Lake Clinic  Virginia Mason Federal Way  Virginia Mason Federal Way  St Francis Medical Clinic  St Francis Medical Clinic  St Francis Medical Clinic  Three Tree Internal Medicine  Three Tree Internal Medicine  Highline Gastroenterology  Three Tree Internal Medicine  Three Tree Internal Medicine  Daniel P Ziperovich MD  Christian Family Care  Pierre Nader MD  Larry Stonesifer MD  Seahurst Medical Center  Puget Sound Allergy Asthma  Kent & Covington Multicare Facility  Edward Davila MD  Harry A Pierce DO  Douglass V Harroun MD  Harry C Lo MD  Good Samaritan Family Medicine at Sumner  Good Samaritan Family Medicine at Sumner  Sumner Medical Associates LLC  Minor & James Medical Group PLLC  Minor & James Medical Group PLLC  Minor & James Medical Group PLLC  VA Puget Sound Health Care System  Pulyallup Clinic Inc PS  Pulyallup Clinic Inc PS  Northwest Geriatrics  Viewpoint Clinic  Michael G Blackburn MD  Maple Valley Multi Care  Bonney Lake Medical Center  Douglas L Hom MD  Pacific Medical Centers  Pacific Medical Centers  Pacific Medical Centers  Pacific Medical Centers  Pacific Medical Centers Beacon Hill  Pacific Medical Centers  Peggy J Eaton MD  Gaines Geriatric Practice  Kenneth Hong MD  Sing Lam MD  Swedish Medical Center Adult Hospitalist  Swedish Medical Center Adult Hospitalist  Swedish Medical Center Adult Hospitalist  Minor & James Medical Group PLLC  Swedish Medical Center Adult Hospitalist  Swedish Medical Center Adult Hospitalist  Swedish Medical Center Adult Hospitalist  Swedish Medical Center Adult Hospitalist  Swedish Medical Center Adult Hospitalist  Virginia Mason Bellevue Clinic  Swedish Medical Center Adult Hospitalist  Swedish Medical Center Adult Hospitalist Kent, WashingtonUpcoming 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 Kent
Nearby Kent Hospitals *Valley Medical Center Auburn Regional Medical Center Highline Medical Center Main Campus St Francis Hospital Highline Medical Center Specialty Campus The Regional Hospital for Respiratory & Complex Care Schick Shadel Hospital West Seattle Psychiatric Hospital VA Puget Sound Health Care System Mary Bridge Children's Hospital & Health Center Tacoma General Hospital St Joseph Medical Center Pierce County Human Services Good Samaritan Hospital & Community Healthcare Allenmore Hospital Harborview Medical Center Swedish Medical Center Cherry Hill Campus Swedish Medical Center First Hill Campus Virginia Mason Medical Center Enumclaw Regional Hospital Overlake Hospital Medical Center Group Health Central Hospital Seattle Cancer Care Alliance Group Health Eastside Hospital University of Washington Medical Center Children's Hospital & Regional Medical Center Saint Clare Hospital Swedish Medical Center Ballard Campus Kindred Hospital Seattle Harrison Medical Center Evergreen Hospital Medical Center Fairfax Hospital Northwest Hospital & Medical Center Stevens 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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