Hyperkalemia Center - Louisville, KYLouisville 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 Louisville * Paulette Finander MD  Mark H Heinicke MD  Paulette Finander MD  Endochrine & Diabetes Associates  Louisville In-Patient Physicians  Pulmonary Specialists Of Louisville PSC  Greater Louisville Internal Medicine PSC  University of Louisville Endocrinology  Greater Louisville Internal Medicine PSC  Louisville Medical Associates  Medical Center Internists  Fincastle Medical Group  Medical Center Internists  Philip J Feitelson MD  Pulmonary Specialists Of Louisville PSC  Louisville Medical Associates  Louisville In-Patient Physicians  Internal Medicine Consultants PLLC  Louisville Medical Associates  Fincastle Medical Group  International Travel Clinic  Pulmonary Specialists Of Louisville PSC  Fincastle Medical Group  Louisville In-Patient Physicians  Hospital Internal Medicine Associates  Greater Louisville Internal Medicine PSC  Cogent Health Care Jewish Hospital  Medical Center Internists  Louisville Medical Associates  Greater Louisville Internal Medicine PSC  Greater Louisville Internal Medicine PSC  Internal Medicine Consultants PLLC  Greater Louisville Internal Medicine PSC  Greater Louisville Internal Medicine PSC  Norton Hospital  Greater Louisville Internal Medicine PSC  Greater Louisville Internal Medicine PSC  University Internal Medical Associates  University Internal Medical Associates  Nadim S Jafri MD  University Medical Associates  University Medical Associates  UMA Cardiology Division  University Internal Medical Associates  University Internal Medical Associates  Stuart Urbach MD  University Medical Associates  Family Health Center Portland  Family Health Center Portland  Westside Medical Center  Cypress Medical Associates of Broadway  Omni Medical Center  Omni Medical Center  Norton Community Medical Associates  Norton Community Medical Associates  Norton Community Medical Associates  Norton Community Medical Associates  Norton Community Medical Associates  Norton Community Medical Associates  Chaisak Pengvanich MD  Norton Community Medical Associates  Norton Community Medical Associates  Norton Community Medical Associates  Kentuckiana Adult Medicine Specialist PSC  Bear Grass Medical  North Community Medical Associates Suburban  Bear Grass Medical  Delhi Associates  Delhi Associates  Jahangir Cyrus MD  Norton Community Medical Associates Audubon East LLC  Norton Community Medical Associates Audubon East LLC  Southend Gastroenterology Associates  Norton Community Medical Associates Audubon East LLC  Norton Community Medical Associates Audubon East LLC  Norton Community Medical Associates Audubon East LLC  HIPS Hospitalist Group at St Mary's & Elizabeth Hospital  Jefferson Internal Medicine  Jefferson Internal Medicine  HIPS Hospitalist Group at St Mary's & Elizabeth Hospital  HIPS Hospitalist Group at St Mary's & Elizabeth Hospital  Jefferson Internal Medicine  Jefferson Internal Medicine  HIPS Hospitalist Group at St Mary's & Elizabeth Hospital  HIPS Hospitalist Group at St Mary's & Elizabeth Hospital  HIPS Hospitalist Group at St Mary's & Elizabeth Hospital  Jefferson Internal Medicine  Louisville Pulmonary Associates  Louisville Pulmonary Associates  Hammer & Hack MDs  Hammer & Hack MDs  Kemper Kemper & Ryan MDs  Kemper Kemper & Ryan MDs  Norton Medical Associates Dixie  Robert Middleton MD FACP FASAM  Cypress Medical Associates of Newburg  Southend Medical Clinic  Hilgeford Morgan & Haney MDs  Chary Primary Care  Chary Primary Care Louisville, KentuckyLouisville is the largest city in the U.S. state of Kentucky, and the county seat of Jefferson County. Since 2003, the city's borders have been coterminous with those of the county because of a city-county merger. An important internal shipping port in the 19th century, Louisville is today most well known for the Kentucky Derby, the widely watched first race of the Triple Crown of Thoroughbred Racing. Upcoming 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 Louisville
Nearby Louisville Hospitals *Frazier Rehab Institute Jewish Hospital Louisville Kindred Hospital Louisville at Jewish Hospital Norton Hospital Kosair Children's Hospital Norton Healthcare Pavilion University of Louisville Hospital Clark Memorial Hospital Kindred Hospital Louisville Norton Audubon Hospital Our Lady of Peace Louisville VA Medical Center Floyd Memorial Hospital & Health Services Sts Mary & Elizabeth Hospital Southern Indiana Rehab Hospital Baptist Hospital East Wellstone Regional Hospital Norton Suburban Hospital Ten Broeck Hospital Dupont Ten Broeck Hospital KMI Jewish Southwest Medical Center Central State Hospital Saint Catherine Regional Hospital Harrison County Hospital Baptist Hospital Northeast Jewish Hospital Shelbyville Flaget Memorial Hospital Washington County Memorial Hospital Scott Memorial Hospital Lincoln Trail Behavioral Health System 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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