Hyperkalemia Center - Melbourne, FLMelbourne 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 Melbourne * Athan P Kartsonis MD  Brevard Emergency Services  Charles H Croft MD  Atlantic Respiratory Physicians  MIMA Infectious Disease  MIMA Internal Medicine  Alpha Medical  Omni Healthcare  MIMA Internal Medicine  MIMA Internal Medicine  MIMA Internal Medicine & Cardiology  MIMA Internal Medicine & Cardiology  MIMA Internal Medicine  MIMA Internal Medicine  MIMA Internal Medicine & Cardiology  MIMA Internal Medicine & Cardiology  MIMA Internal Medicine & Cardiology  MIMA Internal Medicine  Alpha Medical  Omni Healthcare  Osler Medical Inc  Osler Medical Inc  Osler Medical Inc  Osler Medical Inc  Osler Medical Inc  Osler Medical Inc  Osler Medical Inc  Osler Medical Inc  Osler Medical Inc  Subhash K Thareja MD  OMNI Healthcare Internal Medicine Pediatrics  John M Gayden Jr. MD  MIMA Pediatric Endocrinology  Jennifer James MD & Kiron Malhotra MD  Jennifer James MD & Kiron Malhotra MD  Atlantic Medical Group  MIMA Palm Bay Office  MIMA Palm Bay Office  MIMA Palm Bay Office  MIMA Palm Bay Office  Osler Medical Palm Bay  Geetha Priyanka MD  Osler Medical  Osler Medical  Dr marissa rocourt  Osler Medical  Manohar Reddy MD  Osler Medical Indian Harbor Beach  OMNI Healthcare  OMNI Healthcare  Premier Urgent Care  Suntree Internal Medicine  Suntree Internal Medicine  Brevard Medical Group  Osler Medical Inc  Shakti D Bakshi MD  Osler Medical Associates  Brevard Medical Group Melbourne  MIMA Viera Office  MIMA Viera Office  MIMA Viera Office  Venu K Luthra MD  Muhammad M Siddiqui MD  Brevard VA Outpatient Clinic  Brevard VA Outpatient Clinic  Edgar R Blecker MD PA  Santiago Leyte-Vidal MD  Talib Hussain MD  Timothy S Sigman MD  Atlantic Coast Medical  Robert C Udell DO  Health First Physicians Inc  Pulmonary & Internal Medicine Associates  North County Medical  Raquel Rodriguez MD  North County Medical  Health First Physicians  James Marino MD  Raquel Rodriguez MD  M N Rizwi MD FACC  Quality Healthcare  Quality Healthcare  Starleen C Schaffer MD  Health First Physicians  Primary Care of the Treasure Coast  Carlos A Vizcarra MD  Surfside Family Practice  Pedro Espat DO  Andrew I Tobkes MD  Michael Venazio MD  Health First Physicians Inc  Brian B Walls MD  Health First Physicians  Brevard Pulmonary Specialists PA  Brevard Pulmonary Specialists PA  Pasteur Clinic  Pasteur Clinic  Pasteur Clinic  George A Idiculla MD  Robert H Paxson MD Melbourne, FloridaUpcoming 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 Melbourne
Nearby Melbourne Hospitals *Holmes Regional Medical Center Circles of Care HEALTHSOUTH Sea Pines Rehabilitation Hospital Wuesthoff Medical Center Melbourne Palm Bay Community Hospital Devereux Florida Wuesthoff Health System Cape Canaveral Hospital Sebastian River Medical Center HEALTHSOUTH Treasure Coast Rehabilitation Hospital Indian River 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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