Hyperkalemia Center - Kentwood, MIKentwood 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 Kentwood * John N Campbell MD  Spectrum Health Primary Care Partners  Spectrum Health Primary Care Partners  Spectrum Health Primary Care Partners  Spectrum Health Primary Care Partners  Spectrum Health Primary Care Partners  MMPC  Grand Health Partners  East Paris Internal Medicine Associates PC  MMPC Internal Medicine  MMPC Internal Medicine  Mark O'Brien MD PLC  East Paris Internal Medicine Associates PC  East Paris Internal Medicine Associates PC  East Paris Internal Medicine Associates PC  Mark O'Brien MD PLC  Mark O'Brien MD PLC  MMPC Internal Medicine  MMPC Internal Medicine  East Paris Internal Medicine Associates PC  MMPC Internal Medicine  East Paris Internal Medicine Associates PC  East Paris Internal Medicine Associates PC  Michigan Medical Specialists  East Paris Internal Medicine Associates PC  MMPC Internal Medicine  Andrzej Chebes MD  Spectrum Health Primary Care Physicians  Spectrum Health Primary Care Partners  Grand Rapids Allergy  Creekside Internal Medicine  Creekside Internal Medicine  Grand Valley Medical Specialists PLC  Hospitalists of West Michigan  Grand Rapids Associated Internists  Grand Valley Medical Specialists PLC  Grand Valley Medical Specialists PLC  Hospitalists of West Michigan  Arthritis Specialists Western Michigan  Grand Valley Medical Specialists PLC  Hospitalists of West Michigan  Hospitalists of West Michigan  Grand Valley Medical Specialists PLC  Grand Valley Medical Specialists PLC  Grand Valley Medical Specialists PLC  Grand Valley Medical Specialists PLC  Hospitalists of West Michigan  Grand Valley Medical Specialists PLC  Grand Valley Medical Specialists PLC  Grand Valley Medical Specialists PLC  Grand Valley Medical Specialists PLC  Grand Valley Medical Specialists PLC  Grand Valley Medical Specialists PLC  Hospitalists of West Michigan  Hospitalists of West Michigan  Grand Valley Medical Specialists PLC  Grand Valley Medical Specialists PLC  Hospitalists of West Michigan  Grand Rapids Associated Internists  Grand Valley Medical Specialists PLC  Grand Valley Medical Specialists PLC  Ada Internal Medicine  Clinton J Harris MD  Browning-Claytor Health Center  Renal Associates of West Michigan  Renal Associates of West Michigan  Renal Associates of West Michigan  Renal Associates of West Michigan  Renal Associates of West Michigan  Renal Associates of West Michigan  Renal Associates of West Michigan  Renal Associates of West Michigan  Babar Sanaullah MD  West Michigan Cardiology PC  Michigan Medical Specialists  Michigan Medical PC  Michigan Medical Specialists  Michigan Medical PC  Michigan Medical Specialists  Michigan Medical PC  Michigan Medical Specialists  Wege Internal Medicine  Wege Internal Medicine  Wege Internal Medicine  St Marys Center for Diabetes & Endocrinology  Wege Internal Medicine  Heritage Pediatric & Adolescent Medicine  Michigan Medical PC Hospitalists  Michigan Medical PC Hospitalists  Michigan Medical PC Hospitalists  Internal Medicine Outpatient Services PC  Hartside Health Center  Michigan Medical PC Hospitalists  Michigan Medical PC Hospitalists  Michigan Medical PC Hospitalists  Healthpark Medical Specialists  Healthpark Medical Specialists  Healthpark Medical Specialists  Healthpark Medical Specialists  Healthpark Medical Specialists Kentwood, MichiganUpcoming 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 Kentwood
Nearby Kentwood Hospitals *Pine Rest Christian Mental Health Services Forest View Hospital Spectrum Health Blodgett Campus Metro Health Hospital Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital Saint Mary's Health Care Spectrum Health Kent Community Campus Helen DeVos Children's Hospital Spectrum Health Butterworth Campus Zeeland Community Hospital Pennock Hospital Spectrum Health United Hospital Holland Hospital Allegan General Hospital Ionia County Memorial Hospital & Health System Borgess Pipp Hospital North Ottawa Community 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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