Hyperkalemia Center - Leesburg, VALeesburg 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 Leesburg * Deanna M DeRusso MD  John H Cook III MD & John Andrew MD  John H Cook III MD & John Andrew MD  Lansdowne Internal Medicine LLC  Lansdowne Internal Medicine LLC  Dulles Medical  Nova Medical Group  Nova Medical Group  Nova Medical Group  Mitra Dastgheyb MD  Ashburn Sterling Internal Medicine & Pediatrics  Kaiser Permanente Loudoun Medical Center  Kaiser Permanente Loudoun Medical Center  Robert D Lafsky MD & Nadeem A Khan MD  Mancini & Korkowski MDs  Robert D Lafsky MD & Nadeem A Khan MD  Mancini & Korkowski MDs  Loudoun Hospital Center Internal Medicine  Ashburn Sterling Internal Medicine & Pediatrics  Kaiser Permanente Loudoun Medical Center  Loudoun Medical Care PC  Mahsin Habib MD  Nova Medical Group  Norman Levin MD  Linda Coleman MD  Nova Health  Endocrine Diabetes & Osteoporosis Clinic  Noriko S Hunter MD  Paul T Mecherikunnel MD  Mountain View Medical Associates  Virginia Medical Arts Clinic  Prime Health  Ingrid Chung MD  Primary Care Medical Associates  Ellen Campbell MD  Vijay Chadha MD  Medical Associates Of Reston  Medical Associates Of Reston  Medical Associates Of Reston  Dennis Sager MD  Internal Medicine of N Virginia  Neeraj Bhushan MD  Internal Medicine Group of Northern Virginia  Internal Medicine of Reston  Internal Medicine of Reston  Internal Medicine of Reston  Internal Medicine of Reston  Internal Medicine of Reston  Mark D Vickers MD  Kaiser Permanente Health Care Center  Kaiser Permanente Health Care Center  Kaiser Permanente Health Care Center  Kaiser Permanente Health Care Center  Kaiser Permanente Health Care Center  Kaiser Permanente Health Care Center  Kaiser Permanente Health Care Center  Kaiser Permanente Health Care Center  Kaiser Permanente Health Care Center  Medical Specialists of Northern Virginia  Medical Specialists of Northern Virginia  Advanced Internal Medicine Inc  Pulmonary & Critical Care Specialists of Northern Virginia  Advanced Internal Medicine Inc  Advanced Internal Medicine  Advanced Internal Medicine Inc  Advanced Internal Medicine Inc  Heritage Village Internal Medicine  Internal Medicine of Fair Oaks  Marc A Eisenbaum MD  Internal Medicine of Fair Oaks  Michael D Greene MD  Arjun Medical Center PC  Gastroenterology Associates of N Virginia  Internal Medicine of Fair Oaks  Jay Tyroler MD & Barbara B Yosaitis MD  Jay Tyroler MD & Barbara B Yosaitis MD  Jay Tyroler MD & Barbara B Yosaitis MD  Alan Levinstone MD  Randall L Doerman MD  Fair Lakes Urgent Care Center  Piyush R Patel MD  Internal Medicine Associates of Centerville  Internal Medicine Associates of Centerville  Internal Medicine Associates of Centerville  Lance Lasner MD  Internal Medicine Associates of Centerville  Haymarket Medical Center  Haymarket Medical Center  Haymarket Medical Center  Haymarket Medical Center  Michael R Kletz MD  Fairfax Northern Virginia Hematology Oncology  James Turner MD  Rajeshwar Singh Kadian MD  Bone Health Diagnostic  Arun K Gupta MD  Paul C Desper MD  Prince William Hospital  Burke Internal Medicine  DiPinto & DeSouza MDs Leesburg, VirginiaUpcoming 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 Leesburg
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