Hyperkalemia Center - Lancaster, PALancaster 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 Lancaster * The Heart Group Ltd  The Heart Group Ltd  Rudolph F Rigano Jr. MD  Lancaster Internal Medicine Group  Heart Specialists of Lancaster PC  Heart Specialists of Lancaster PC  Heart Specialists of Lancaster PC  Dale Lent MD & Associates  Dale Lent MD & Associates  Dale Lent MD & Associates  Dale Lent MD & Associates  Joseph C MacDonald MD  Internal Medicine Consultants of Lancaster County  Robert G Shultz MD & Margarita Shultz MD  Willow Spring Internal Medicine  Anthony J Lacorte MD  Lancaster Cardiology Group  Apple Health Services  Lancaster County Internal Medicine  Hospice Of Lancaster County & Inpatient Center  Lancaster Cancer Center  Medical Associates of Lancaster  Medical Associates of Lancaster  Regional Gastroenterology Associates  Medical Associates of Lancaster  Medical Associates of Lancaster  Hypertension & Kidney Specialists PA  Diabetes & Endocrinology Specialists  Hypertension & Kidney Specialists PA  Regional Gastroenterology Associates  Regional Gastroenterology Associates  Medical Associates of Lancaster  Medical Associates of Lancaster  Medical Associates of Lancaster  Regional Gastroenterology Associates  Regional Gastroenterology Associates  Regional Gastroenterology Associates  Medical Associates of Lancaster  Cardiac Consultants PC  Medical Associates of Lancaster  Medical Associates of Lancaster  Medical Associates of Lancaster  Regional Gastroenterology Associates  Cardiac Consultants PC  Hypertension & Kidney Specialists PA  Regional Gastroenterology Associates  Medical Associates of Lancaster  Medical Associates of Lancaster  Medical Associates of Lancaster  Cardiac Consultants PC  Regional Gastroenterology Associates  Hypertension & Kidney Specialists PA  Regional Gastroenterology Associates  Medical Associates of Lancaster  Medical Associates of Lancaster  Medical Associates of Lancaster  Hypertension & Kidney Specialists PA  Regional Gastroenterology Associates  General Internal Medicine of Lancaster  General Internal Medicine of Lancaster  General Internal Medicine of Lancaster  General Internal Medicine of Lancaster  General Internal Medicine of Lancaster  General Internal Medicine of Lancaster  General Internal Medicine of Lancaster  Allergy & Asthma Center  Allergy & Asthma Center  General Internal Medicine of Lancaster  General Internal Medicine of Lancaster  Cornerstone Family Health Associates  Lebanon Internal Medicine Assoc  Heart Specialists of Lancaster PC  Janario F Hernandez MD  Internal Medicine Associates  Internal Medicine Associates  James Nash MD  West Cornwall Family Health Center  Norlanco Medical Associates  Lebanon Internal Medicine Assoc  Lebanon Internal Medicine Assoc  Lebanon Internal Medicine Assoc  Lebanon Internal Medicine Assoc  Lebanon Internal Medicine Assoc  Lebanon Internal Medicine Assoc  Lebanon Internal Medicine Assoc  Lebanon Internal Medicine Assoc  Gotham Internal Medicine  Gotham Internal Medicine  Gotham Internal Medicine  Lebanon Oncology & Hematology Associates  Gotham Internal Medicine  Gotham Internal Medicine  Gotham Internal Medicine  Richard Satriale MD  K Murray Leisure MD  Capstone Medical Associates  Jeffrey A Frey MD  Annville Family Medicine  Wernersville State Hospital  Dallastown Medical Associates Lancaster, PennsylvaniaUpcoming 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 Lancaster
Nearby Lancaster Hospitals *Lancaster General Hospital Lancaster Regional Medical Center Lancaster General Women & Babies Hospital Lancaster Rehabilitation Hospital Heart of Lancaster Regional Medical Center Ephrata Community Hospital Lebanon VA Medical Center The Good Samaritan Hospital Memorial Hospital Philhaven Wernersville State Hospital York Hospital Penn State Children's Hospital Penn State Hershey Medical Center HEALTHSOUTH Rehabilitation Hospital of York HEALTHSOUTH Reading Rehabilitation Hospital Jennersville Regional Hospital Coatesville VA Medical Center Brandywine Hospital The Reading Hospital & Medical Center St Joseph Medical Center Community General Osteopathic Hospital Pinnacle Health Helen M Simpson Rehabilitation Hospital Saint John Vianney Hospital Harrisburg Hospital Upper Chesapeake Medical Center 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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