Hyperkalemia Center - Loveland, COLoveland 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 Loveland * Big Thompson Medical Group  Big Thompson Medical Group  Aspen Medical Center  Big Thompson Medical Group  Aspen Medical Center  Big Thompson Medical Group  David K Allen MD  Northern Colorado Pulmonary Consultants  Northern Colorado Pulmonary Consultants  Northern Colorado Pulmonary Consultants  Northern Colorado Pulmonary Consultants  Northern Colorado Pulmonary Consultants  Christopher R Drysdale MD  Poudre Valley Internists  Poudre Valley Internists  Poudre Valley Internists  Poudre Valley Internists  Christopher R Drysdale MD  Poudre Valley Internists  Poudre Valley Internists  Christopher R Drysdale MD  Alpenglow Medical  Internal Medicine Clinic  Internal Medicine Clinic  Internal Medicine Clinic  Longmont Clinic & Carbon Valley Medical Center  Boulder Valley Asthma & Allergy  Longmont Clinic & Carbon Valley Medical Center  Longmont Clinic & Carbon Valley Medical Center  Longmont Clinic & Carbon Valley Medical Center  Frontier Internal Medicine  Frontier Internal Medicine  Frontier Internal Medicine  Warren H Valencia MD  Harry L Wherry MD  Robert Scott Pace MD  Greeley Medical Clinic Internal Medicine  Greeley Medical Clinic Internal Medicine  Greeley Medical Clinic Internal Medicine  Greeley Medical Clinic Internal Medicine  Greeley Medical Clinic Internal Medicine  Greeley Medical Clinic Internal Medicine  Greeley Medical Clinic Internal Medicine  Greeley Medical Clinic Internal Medicine  Greeley Medical Clinic Internal Medicine  Sunrise Community Health Center  Greeley Internal Medicine  Exempla Family LBB_Practice of Lafayette  Kaiser CPMG Department of Hospital Medicine  Kaiser CPMG Department of Hospital Medicine  Kaiser CPMG Department of Hospital Medicine  Kaiser CPMG Department of Hospital Medicine  Kaiser CPMG Department of Hospital Medicine  Angela Kill MD  Kaiser CPMG Department of Hospital Medicine  Kaiser CPMG Department of Hospital Medicine  Kaiser CPMG Department of Hospital Medicine  Kaiser CPMG Department of Hospital Medicine  Internal Medicine Associates  Boulder Internal Medicine PC  Lisa A Iacofano MD  Internal Medicine Associates  Spruce St Internal Medicine LLC  Spruce St Internal Medicine LLC  Spruce St Internal Medicine LLC  Spruce St Internal Medicine LLC  John S O'Hearne MD  Boulder Medical Center  Boulder Medical Center Senior Medicine  Boulder Medical Center  Boulder Medical Center  Boulder Medical Center  Boulder Medical Center  Boulder Valley Pulmonology  Internal Medicine Associates  Internal Medicine Associates  Boulder Endocrinology Associates  Boulder Valley Pulmonology  Boulder Valley Pulmonology  Boulder Endocrinology Associates  Boulder Eye Care  Jacob G Jacobson MD PC  Estes Park Medical Center Family Medical Clinic  W David Luce MD  Broomfield Pediatrics  Columbine Dermatology, PC  Flatiron Internal Medicine  Flatiron Internal Medicine  Flatiron Internal Medicine  Extra MD PC  Maureen Mangotich MD  Alice Brunecky MD  Lawrence S Janowski MD  Brighton Medical Clinic  Rocky Mountain Gastroenterology Associates  Rocky Mountain Gastroenterology Associates  Platte Valley Internal Medicine  Platte Valley Internal Medicine  Platte Valley Emergency Physicians  Platte Valley Internal Medicine Loveland, ColoradoUpcoming Local Events2012-06-03
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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 Loveland
Nearby Loveland Hospitals *McKee Medical Center Medical Center of the Rockies Mountain Crest Behavioral Healthcare Center Poudre Valley Hospital Longmont United Hospital North Colorado Medical Center Estes Park Medical Center Boulder Community Foothills Hospital Boulder Community Hospital Exempla Good Samaritan Medical Center Avista Adventist Hospital Centennial Peaks 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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