Hyperkalemia Center - Lehi, UTLehi 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 Lehi * Central Utah Clinic  IHC American Fork Internal Medicine Clinic  IHC American Fork Internal Medicine Clinic  Central Utah Clinic Gastroenterology  American Fork Hospital Hospitalist Program  Central Utah Clinic American Fork Internal Medicine  Central Utah Clinic PC  Sunrise Medical  Orem Internal Medicine  Orem Internal Medicine  Orem Internal Medicine  Orem Internal Medicine  Orem Internal Medicine  Orem Internal Medicine  David J Breding MD  Intermountain Internal Medicine  Intermountain Internal Medicine  Intermountain Internal Medicine  Intermountain Internal Medicine  Intermountain Internal Medicine  Healthsouth  Vernon K Liu MD  Healthsouth  Intermountain Sandy Clinic  Intermountain Sandy Clinic  Intermountain Sandy Clinic  Intermountain Sandy Clinic  Intermountain Sandy Clinic  St Marks South Jordan Family Practice LLC  Barbara E Rizzardi MD PC  Barclay F Bigelow MD  Richard A Call II MD  CopperView Medical Center LLC  CopperView Medical Center LLC  Central Utah Clinic PC  Central Utah Clinic Gastroenterology  Central Utah Clinic  Central Utah Clinic Gastroenterology  Central Utah Clinic PC  Central Utah Clinic  Central Utah Clinic  Central Utah Clinic  Central Utah Clinic Gastroenterology  Robert W Day MD  Lynn Bateman MD & Bruce Hathaway MD  Lynn Bateman MD & Bruce Hathaway MD  Lynn Bateman MD & Bruce Hathaway MD  Utah Valley Pulmonary Associates  Utah Valley Pulmonary Associates  Utah Valley Pulmonary Associates  Utah Cancer Specialists  Jordan Valley Internal Medicine  Jordan Valley Internal Medicine  Gut Whisperer  Jordan Valley Internal Medicine  Health Clinics of Utah  The Practice of Medicine  IHC Senior Clinic  Cottonwood Internal Medicine  Cottonwood Internal Medicine  Cottonwood Internal Medicine  Cottonwood Internal Medicine  Cottonwood Hospital  IHC Senior Clinic  Intermountain Holladay Health Clinic  Intermountain Holladay Health Clinic  Intermountain Holladay Health Clinic  Utah Spine & Joint  Jeffrey L Anderson MD  Steven P Jepson MD  Internal Medicine Outpatient Clinic  Utah Heart Clinic  Intermountain Heart Center  Internal Medicine Outpatient Clinic  Internal Medicine Outpatient Clinic  Internal Medicine Outpatient Clinic  Internal Medicine Outpatient Clinic  Jacqueline Pham, MD  Jacqueline Pham, MD  Nephrology Associates  Geriatric Clinic  James S Wood MD  Care Medical LLC  Care Medical LLC  Care Medical LLC  Care Medical LLC  Gilbert Podolsky MD  Care Medical LLC  Care Medical LLC  St Marks's Senior Health Center  Internal Medicine Ltd  Wasatch Internal Medicine & Family Practice  Salt Lake Orthopaedic Clinic  Wasatch Internal Medicine & Family Practice  Wasatch Internal Medicine & Family Practice  Internal Medicine Ltd  Wasatch Internal Medicine & Family Practice  St Marks's Senior Health Center  Internal Medicine Ltd  Internal Medicine Ltd Lehi, UtahUpcoming 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 Lehi
Nearby Lehi Hospitals *American Fork Hospital Timpanogos Regional Hospital Orem Community Hospital Alta View Hospital Utah Valley Regional Medical Center HEALTHSOUTH Rehabilitation Hospital of Utah Jordan Valley Medical Center Utah State Hospital Highland Ridge Hospital Intermountain Medical Center St Mark's Hospital Pioneer Valley Hospital Heber Valley Medical Center Mountain View Hospital University of Utah Neuropsychiatric Institute George E Wahlen VA Medical Center Huntsman Cancer Hospital Mountain West Medical Center Promise Hospital of Salt Lake City East Campus Salt Lake Regional Medical Center Primary Children's Medical Center University of Utah Hospitals & Clinics LDS Hospital Shriners Hospital for Children Benchmark Behavioral Health Systems South Davis Community Hospital Lakeview 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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