Hyperkalemia Center - Leominster, MALeominster 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 Leominster * Fallon Medical Center Leominster  Fallon Medical Center Leominster  Fallon Medical Center Leominster  Fallon Medical Center Leominster  Fallon Medical Center Leominster  HealthAlliance Hospital Leominster Hospitalist  HealthAlliance Hospital Leominster Hospitalist  HealthAlliance Hospital Leominster Hospitalist  John J Murphy MD  HealthAlliance Hospital Leominster Hospitalist  HealthAlliance Hospital Leominster Hospitalist  HealthAlliance Hospital Leominster Hospitalist  HealthAlliance Hospital Leominster Hospitalist  HealthAlliance Hospital Leominster Hospitalist  Maria Del Carmen Al-Homsi MD  William Brodkin MD  Stephen T Child MD  Haberman Kamens & Cotter MDs  Kimberly W Ebb MD & Ronald G Ebb MD  Leominster Medical Associates  Haberman Kamens & Cotter MDs  Haberman Kamens & Cotter MDs  HealthAlliance Hospital  Leominster Medical Associates  Sheryn M Angelis MD & Ralph E Spada MD  Svend W Bruun MD  Vasuki Radhakrishnan MD  Fitchburg Adult Medicine LLC  Fitchburg Adult Medicine LLC  Fitchburg Adult Medicine LLC  Alfredson Ambulatory  VA Clinic  Clinton Medical Associates  Worcester Physicians of North County  Worcester Physicians of North County  Clinton Medical Associates  Raymond K Sauls MD  David A Getz MD  Sprague Family Practice  Michael R Theerman MD  Acton Medical Associates  Acton Medical Associates  Acton Medical Associates  Acton Medical Associates  Acton Medical Associates  Acton Medical Associates  Acton Medical Associates  Chandrika D Jain MD  Nashoba Valley Medical Center Hospitalists Internal Medicine  Nashoba Valley Healthcare Group  John Katzenberg MD  Groton Medical Associates  Groton Medical Associates  Groton Medical Associates  Mathur & Goh MDs  Mathur & Goh MDs  Richard C McMahon MD  Christian L Potter MD  St Vincent Medical Group  St Vincent Medical Group  Jyoti Dhananjay Nagarkar MD  St Vincent Medical Group  St Vincent Medical Group  Laila Attar MD  Jose R Flores Cardillo MD  Ernesto Y Jose MD PC  Fallon Medical Center Worcester  Fallon Medical Center Worcester  Plantation Internal Medicine  Plantation Internal Medicine  Fallon Medical Center Worcester  Plantation Internal Medicine  Fallon Medical Center Worcester  Fallon Clinic Urgent Care  Fallon Medical Center Worcester  Plantation Internal Medicine  Plantation Internal Medicine  Plantation Internal Medicine  Plantation Internal Medicine  Fallon Medical Center Worcester  Plantation Internal Medicine  Fallon Medical Center Worcester  Fallon Clinic Urgent Care  Shrewsbury Internal Medicine  Owen E Christensen MD  Shrewsbury Internal Medicine  Deborah Hazen MD  St Vincent Medical Group  Shrewsbury Internal Medicine  Shrewsbury Internal Medicine  St Vincent Medical Group  Heyward Cardiology  Memorial Medical Group  Memorial Medical Group  Joel A Hurwitz MD  Saqib N Qureshi MD  Memorial Medical Group  Memorial Medical Group  John Stevenson MD  Hahnemann Medical Group Leominster, MassachusettsUpcoming Local Events2012-06-10
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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 Leominster
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