Hyperkalemia Center - Largo, FLLargo 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 Largo * Ranjan Mahajan MD  Kirti K Patel MD  Stanley S Moles & Associates  Diagnostic Clinic Countryside Clearwater  Diagnostic Clinic Countryside Clearwater  Diagnostic Clinic Countryside Clearwater  Diagnostic Clinic Largo  Diagnostic Clinic Countryside Clearwater  Diagnostic Clinic Largo  Diagnostic Clinic Largo  Diagnostic Clinic Largo  Diagnostic Clinic Largo  Diagnostic Clinic Countryside Clearwater  Diagnostic Clinic Largo  Salah F Al-Andary MD  Belleair Internal Medicine  Belleair Internal Medicine  Mohammed I Yamani MD  Miguel E Trevino MD  Bay Area Chest Physicians  Bay Area Chest Physicians  Bay Area Chest Physicians  Dewberry Ham & Campbell MDs  Mayra Lorenzo MD  Mayra Lorenzo MD  Lakeview Internal Medicine  Michael D Saccente DO  Lakeview Internal Medicine  Morton Plant Primary Care  Gastroenterology & Oncology Assoc  Brian G Salisbury MD  Eric D Weston MD FACG  Morton Plant Primary Care  Clearwater Cardiovascular & Interventional Consultants  Clearwater Cardiovascular & Interventional Consultants  Clearwater Cardiovascular & Interventional Consultants  Clearwater Cardiovascular & Interventional Consultants  Joslin Diabetes Center  Clearwater Cardiovascular & Interventional Consultants  Clearwater Cardiovascular & Interventional Consultants  Clearwater Cardiovascular & Interventional Consultants  Joseph S Schwartz MD  Clearwater Cardiovascular & Interventional Consultants  Clearwater Cardiovascular & Interventional Consultants  Joseph S Schwartz MD  Clearwater Cardiovascular & Interventional Consultants  Irma Alves MD  Jeffords Internal Medicine  Jeffords Internal Medicine  Morton Plant Hospital  Stephen J Shields MD PA  William C Brown Jr. MD Inc  Bestcare Family & Geriatric Care  Anup Desai MD  Thomas Austin MD  Jay Carpenter MD  Suketu K Desai MD  Moshe Kedan MD  James C Marshall DO  J Wayne Phillips MD PA  Mouna Bacha MD & Elias Kanaan MD  Mouna Bacha MD & Elias Kanaan MD  Jose A Perez-Arce MD  Natalie Shnitser MD PA  Steven Tinsley MD  Emil M Katz MD  Suncoast Internal Medicine Consultants  Suncoast Internal Medicine Consultants  Suncoast Internal Medicine Consultants  Suncoast Internal Medicine Consultants  Oakhurst Medical Clinic  Mark C Stine DO  Suncoast Internal Medicine Consultants  Suncoast Internal Medicine Consultants  Clearwater Cardiovascular & Interventional Consultants  Morton Plant Mease Primary Care Inc  Morton Plant Mease Primary Care Inc  Bradmoor Internal Medicine  Bradmoor Internal Medicine  Morton Plant Mease Primary Care Inc  Bradmoor Internal Medicine  Drs Azneer, Patel & Azneer  Drs Azneer, Patel & Azneer  Eduardo Martinez MD  Advanced Primary Care & Geriatrics PA  Drs Azneer, Patel & Azneer  Bruce P Smith MD  Ingrid Zumaran MD  Victor Arboleda MD PA  AllianceCare  Vamsi Kishor Allada DO  Michael D Bruno DO  Florida Medical Center of Clearwater Inc  Florida Medical Center of Clearwater Inc  Florida Medical Center of Clearwater Inc  Florida Medical Center of Clearwater Inc  Bartholomew F Natoli MD  Pinellas Internal Medicine Associates  Pinellas Internal Medicine Associates  JSA Healthcare Spartan Largo, FloridaUpcoming Local Events2012-06-09
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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 Largo
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