Hyperkalemia Center - Lake Charles, LALake Charles 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 Lake Charles * Institute for Neuropsychiatry  Kidney Associates of SW Louisiana  Snider Medical  Cardiovascular Specialists of SWLA  Cardiovascular Specialists of SWLA  Y Yoko Broussard MD  Neil Clinic Inc  Susan A Jones MD  Medical Oncology Associates  Internal Medical Clinic of Lake Charles  James P Gaharan MD  Internal Medical Clinic of Lake Charles  Internal Medical Clinic of Lake Charles  Internal Medical Clinic of Lake Charles  Internal Medical Clinic of Lake Charles  Internal Medical Clinic of Lake Charles  Medical Occupational Clinic of Lake Charles LLC  Medical Occupational Clinic of Lake Charles LLC  Internal Medical Clinic of Lake Charles  Pulmonary Associates of SWLA  Harpal S Benipal MD  Moss Regional Medical Center Internal Medicine  Carlos M Choucino MD  Moss Bluff Medical  Chadha Medical Clinic  DeQuincy Medical Clinic  DeQuincy Medical Clinic  Lam D Nguyen MD  Charles E Ray MD  Beauregard Internal Medicine & Pediatrics  Steven C Farquhar MD  Beauregard Internal Medicine & Pediatrics  Kufoy Medical Clinic  Juliet A Robinson MD  Cardiology Physicians Clinic of LGMC  Mulraj N Katira MD  Mulraj N Katira MD  Randy Miller MD  Vincent Internal Medicine  Oscar Rodriguez MD  Hussein Alammar MD  Brent C Ardoin MD  Leesville Medical Clinic  Lo Dai Vo MD  Suresh J Patel MD  Eduardo L Alvarez MD  Gregory J Ardoin MD  Charles J Aswell III MD  Chi V Pham MD  Abbeville General Hospital Clinic  Lahasky Medical Clinic  Acadiana Renal Physicians  Internal Medicine  Internal Medicine  Acadiana Renal Physicians  Southwest Medical Center of Louisiana  Southwest Medical Center of Louisiana  Internal Medicine  Southwest Medical Center of Louisiana  John W Guidry MD  Richard Tate MD  Fernando Alemany MD  Gerard K Williams MD  Ronald A Jenkins MD  Hart Center of Acadiana  Allergy Asthma & Immunology Center  University Medical Center Internal Medicine Clinic  University Medical Center Internal Medicine Clinic  University Medical Center Internal Medicine Clinic  University Medical Center Internal Medicine Clinic  University Medical Center Internal Medicine Clinic  University Medical Center Internal Medicine Clinic  Drs Blanchard & Deblanc  George W Bourgeois MD  Drs Blanchard & Deblanc  Usman Alam MD  Eric M Chatman MD  Acadiana Medicine Clinic  Shirley E Robertson MD  Patricia Ann Cran MD  Edward P Lyons MD  Kenneth E McCarron Jr. MD  Paul E Miller MD  Karen R Smith MD  Paul M Toce Jr. MD  Dr Michael H Vanderlick  Hector A Robles MD  Cardiology Specialists of Acadiana  Masoud Yazdi MD  Internal Medicine Associates  Lester L Ducote Jr. MD  Jay P Jaikishen MD  Shankaraiah R Kothapalli MD  Internal Medicine Associates  Internal Medicine Associates  Acadian Internal Medicine  Internal Medicine Associates  Clinton Young MD  Cardiology Physicians Clinic of LGMC  Charles H Louis MD Lake Charles, LouisianaUpcoming 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 Lake Charles
Nearby Lake Charles Hospitals *CHRISTUS St Patrick Hospital Dubuis Hospital Lake Charles Extended Care of Southwest Louisiana Lake Charles Memorial Hospital Walter Olin Moss Regional Medical Center Women & Children's Hospital Cornerstone Hospital of Southwest Louisiana West Calcasieu Cameron Hospital Dequincy Memorial Hospital Allen Parish Hospital Jennings American Legion Hospital Acadia Rehabilitation Hospital Harbor Hospital of Southeast Texas Memorial Hermann Baptist Orange 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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