Hyperkalemia Center - Lees Summit, MOLees Summit 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 Lees Summit * Lees Summit Clinic Inc  Devins Allergy & Asthma Clinic  Metropolitan Pulmonary  Saint Lukes Medical Group Lees Summit  Saint Lukes Medical Group Lees Summit  Saint Lukes Medical Group Lees Summit  Saint Lukes Medical Group Lees Summit  Kansas City Internal Medicine  Kansas City Internal Medicine  Kansas City Internal Medicine  Saint Lukes Hospital Emergency Medicine  Saint Lukes Medical Group Lees Summit  Kansas City Internal Medicine  Kansas City Internal Medicine  Kansas City Internal Medicine  Encompass Medical Group Lee's Summit  Lees Summit Physicians Group  Lees Summit Physicians Group  Crittenton Children's Center  Kansas City Allergy & Asthma Associates  Urgent Care of Kansas City  Urgent Care of Kansas City  Center Point Internal Medicine  Center Point Internal Medicine  Blue River Medical Group  Center Point Internal Medicine  Center Point Internal Medicine  Blue River Medical Group  Encompass Medical Group Independence Office  Encompass Medical Group Independence Office  Encompass Medical Group Independence Office  Midwest Open Imaging  Tapan K Chaudhuri MD  Raytown Family Medical Care  Jackson County Medical Group  Jackson County Medical Group  Center Point Physicians Group  Midwest Nephrology Consultants PA  Midwest Nephrology Consultants PA  Center Point Physicians Group  Center Point Physicians Group  Center Point Physicians Group  Midwest Nephrology Consultants PA  Midwest Nephrology Consultants PA  Jackson County Medical Group  Jackson County Medical Group  Family Medicine Specialist  Grandview Health Care Center  Blue Springs Internal Medicine  Blue Springs Internal Medicine  Blue Springs Internal Medicine  Gregory M Vardakis DO  KCUMB Physican Associates  KCUMB Physican Associates  KCUMB Physican Associates  KCUMB Physican Associates  KCUMB Physican Associates  Mid America Internal Medicine  Midwest Medicine Associates  Heartland Medical Care PC  Heartland Medical Care PC  Swope Health Services  Swope Health Services  Swope Health Services  Joahn Hall & Danny K Stanton MDs  Kansas City Internal Medicine  Drs Fedotin & Ginsberg  Kansas City Internal Medicine  Drs Fedotin & Ginsberg  Drs Fedotin & Ginsberg  Drs Fedotin & Ginsberg  Metropolitan Multi-Specialty Physicians Group  Kansas City Internal Medicine  Metropolitan Multi-Specialty Physicians Group  Kansas City Internal Medicine  Kansas City Internal Medicine  Kansas City Internal Medicine  Midwest Nephrology Consultants PA  Kansas City Internal Medicine  Metropolitan Multi-Specialty Physicians Group  Kansas City Internal Medicine  Drs Fedotin & Ginsberg  John M Moore MD  Kansas City Internal Medicine  Midwest Nephrology Consultants PA  Kansas City Internal Medicine  Kansas City Internal Medicine  Kansas City Internal Medicine  Kansas City Acute Care Specialists  Kansas City Acute Care Specialists  Jaswinder Singh MD  Kansas City VA Medical Center  Kansas City VA Medical Center  Kansas City VA Medical Center  Kansas City VA Medical Center  Kansas City VA Medical Center  Kansas City VA Medical Center  Kansas City VA Medical Center  Kansas City VA Medical Center  Kansas City VA Medical Center Lees Summit, MissouriUpcoming 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 Lees Summit
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