Hyperkalemia Center - Macon, GAMacon 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 Macon * Drs Ash & Snellgrove MD  Drs Ash & Snellgrove MD  Georgia Neurosurgical Institute PA  Premier Cardiovascular Associates  Mercer Health Systems Internal Medicine  Cardiopulmonary Associates PC  Mercer Health Systems Internal Medicine  Manmohan Gupta MD  Mercer Health Systems Internal Medicine  Mercer Health Systems Internal Medicine  Cardiopulmonary Associates PC  Hospital Specialists  Mercer Health Systems Internal Medicine  Mercer Health Systems Internal Medicine  Mercer Health Systems Internal Medicine  Cardiopulmonary Associates PC  Muhammad Rehan MD  James Rowland III MD  Mercer Health Systems Internal Medicine  Mercer Health Systems Internal Medicine  Hospital Specialists  Central Georgia Kidney Specialists  Benjamin Johnston MD  Quyen N Luu MD  Gastroenterology Associates of Central Georgia  Angel R Garcia MD  Poplar Physicians LLC  Poplar Physicians LLC  Poplar Physicians LLC  Renal Physicians of Georgia PC  Charles L Ridley III MD  Internal Medicine Associates  Internal Medicine Associates  Internal Medicine Associates  IM Peds Primary Care  Internal Medicine Associates  Internal Medicine Associates  Internal Medicine Associates  Internal Medicine Associates  New Horizon Primary Care Westside Medical  Middle Georgia Nephrology Associates LLC  Macon Medical Group PC  Macon Medical Group PC  Vineville Internal Medicine  Lesley J Cown MD  North Macon Family Health Care  Buchhammer Health System  Alan P Deese MD  We Care Medical Practice  First Option Medical & Rehab.  Mohabubur Rahman MD  Rutland Family Healthcare Center  Rutland Family Healthcare Center  Central Georgia Center for Digestive Health  Hospital Specialists  Hospital Specialists  Hospital Specialists  Hospital Specialists  Hospital Specialists  Alan G Struth MD  Advanced Medical Associates  Advanced Medical Associates  Pavillion Med Stop  Middle Georgia Medical Associates  Houston Cancer Center  Medical Group of Central GA  Javed H Fazal MD  Internal Medicine & Geriatrics of Houston LLC  Medical Group of Central GA  Halston Medical Associates  Jeffrey Rymuza MD PC  Aegis Nephrology & Internal Medicine LLC  Hypertension & Kidney Association  Hypertension & Kidney Association  Robins Medical Group  Gamma Adult Care PC  Thomas H Williamson MD  Comprehensive Care Medical Ctr  Comprehensive Care Medical Ctr  Peach Medical Associates PC  Peach Medical Associates PC  Adult Healthcare  Richard L Smith Jr. MD  Elite Healthcare  Elite Healthcare  Baggett DO & Campbell MD  Craig Caldwell MD  Gururaj A Nayak MD  Perry Primary Care LLC  Middle Georgia Primary Care PC  Jonathan Velasquez MD  Houston Primary Care Associates  Houston Primary Care Associates  South Houston Internal Medicine LLC  Cornerstone Medical Associates  Cornerstone Medical Associates  Oconee Area Hospitalists  George E Martinez MD  Cardiopulmonary Associates  Baldwin Medical Center Macon, GeorgiaUpcoming 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 Macon
Nearby Macon Hospitals *The Children's Hospital Regency Hospital of Central Georgia Medical Center of Central Georgia Coliseum Medical Center Coliseum Psychiatric Center Coliseum Northside Hospital Central Georgia Rehabilitation Hospital Houston Medical Center Monroe County Hospital Peach Regional Medical Center Perry Hospital Central State Hospital Oconee Regional Medical Center Jasper Memorial 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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