Hyperkalemia Center - Little Rock, ARLittle Rock 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 Little Rock * Gary P Nunn MD  Betton Clinic  Betton Clinic  Betton Clinic  ACH Pediatric Cardiology  Internal Medicine Associates of North Little Rock  Internal Medicine Associates of North Little Rock  Internal Medicine Associates of North Little Rock  UAMS Nephrology  UAMS General Internal Medicine  VA Hospital Central Arkansas  University Private Medical Group  UAMS Reynolds Senior Health Center  UAMS General Internal Medicine  UAMS General Internal Medicine  UAMS General Internal Medicine  UAMS General Internal Medicine  VA Hospital Central Arkansas  UAMS Infectious Diseases  VA Hospital Central Arkansas  UAMS General Internal Medicine  UAMS General Internal Medicine  VA Hospital Central Arkansas  VA Hospital Central Arkansas  UAMS Nephrology  Cathey L Powers MD  VA Hospital Central Arkansas  VA Hospital Central Arkansas  UAMS Nephrology  VA Hospital Central Arkansas  Karl D Straub MD  UAMS General Internal Medicine  VA Hospital Central Arkansas  VA Hospital Central Arkansas  VA Hospital Central Arkansas  Center For Integrated Medicine  Cardiology & Medicine Clinic  Fairpark Medical  Central Medical Group PA  Longevity Center  Central Medical Group PA  Patricia Bickers MD  Drs Brown Morse Zelnick & Thrasher  Arkansas Internal Medicine  Drs Brown Morse Zelnick & Thrasher  Practice Management Services Inc  Larry Watkins MD  Drs Brown Morse Zelnick & Thrasher  Brian T Bean MD  Evergreen Internal Medicine  Little Rock Internal Medicine Clinic  Evergreen Internal Medicine  Evergreen Internal Medicine  Evergreen Internal Medicine  Evergreen Internal Medicine  Diagnostic Physicians of Arkansas  Heart Clinic Arkansas  North Pulaski Diagnostic Clinic  North Pulaski Diagnostic Clinic  North Pulaski Diagnostic Clinic  Govinda Lohani MD  Sleep Clinic of Arkansas  North Pulaski Diagnostic Clinic  Arkansas Diagnostic Center  Arkansas Diagnostic Center  Nephrology Associates  Nephrology Associates  Little Rock Pulmonary Clinic  Arkansas Family Care Network  Little Rock Pulmonary Clinic  Arkansas Family Care Network  Arkansas Family Care Network  Anne R Trussell MD  Lee W Walker Jr. MD  Little Rock Diagnostic Clinic  Little Rock Diagnostic Clinic  Little Rock Diagnostic Clinic  Little Rock Diagnostic Clinic  Little Rock Diagnostic Clinic  Little Rock Diagnostic Clinic  Little Rock Diagnostic Clinic  Medical Diagnostics  Medical Diagnostics  Little Rock Cardiology Clinic PA  Otter Creek Family Clinic  Evgueni Roudachevski DO  Baptist Health Senior Clinic  St Vincents Family Clinic Jacksonville  North Pulaski Internal Medicine  Jacksonville Medical Clinic  North Pulaski Internal Medicine  Mayflower Family Medicine  Mayflower Family Medicine  Bryant Medical Clinic  Bryant Medical Clinic  Cabot Medical Clinic  Cabot Medical Clinic  Cabot Medical Clinic  Deborah S Quade MD  Saline Memorial Hospital Hospitalist Little Rock, ArkansasUpcoming Local Events2012-06-17
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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 Little Rock
Nearby Little Rock Hospitals *Arkansas Children's Hospital Eugene J Towbin Healthcare Center UAMS Medical Center Arkansas State Hospital John L McClellan Memorial Veterans Hospital Select Specialty Hospital Little Rock St Vincent Health System St Vincent Doctors Hospital Baptist Health Medical Center North Little Rock Baptist Medical Center Little Rock St Vincent Medical Center North St Vincent Rehabilitation Hospital The BridgeWay Hospital Arkansas Heart Hospital Pinnacle Pointe Hospital Methodist Behavioral Hospital North Metro Medical Center Rivendell Behavioral Health Services Saline Memorial Hospital Conway Regional Medical Center 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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