Hyperkalemia Center - Memphis, TNMemphis 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 Memphis * St Jude Childrens Research Hospital  Hettie S Gibbs MD  Memphis Neurology PLLC  UT Medical Group Internal Medicine  UT Medical Group Gastroenterology & Hepatology  UT Medical Group Internal Medicine  UT Medical Group Hospitalists  UT Medical Group Internal Medicine  UT Medical Group Internal Medicine  UT Medical Group Internal Medicine  UT Medical Group Internal Medicine  UT Medical Group Internal Medicine  UT Medical Group Internal Medicine  UT Medical Group Hospitalists  UT Medical Group Hospitalists  The Health Loop Mid South  Nephrology Services Medical Group  The Health Loop Mid South  Memphis Health Center  Memphis VA Medical Ctr Credentialing  Memphis VA Medical Ctr Credentialing  William C Cushman MD  Memphis VA Medical Ctr Credentialing  UT Medical Group Internal Medicine  Memphis VA Medical Ctr Credentialing  Memphis VA Medical Ctr Credentialing  Sonali S Parikh MD  Memphis VA Medical Ctr Credentialing  UT Medical Group Internal Medicine  Memphis VA Medical Ctr Credentialing  Memphis VA Medical Ctr Credentialing  Memphis VA Medical Ctr Credentialing  Margarethe Williams MD  Memphis VA Medical Ctr Credentialing  Phillip Northcross MD  The Heart Center of Memphis  Guthrie Health Loop  UT Medical Group Internal Medicine  Church Health Center  Methodist Teaching Practice  UT Medical Group Internal Medicine  Eastmoreland Internal Medicine, MPLLC  Methodist Teaching Practice  Church Health Center  Methodist Teaching Practice  Hany Habashy MD  Eastmoreland Internal Medicine, MPLLC  Church Health Center  Methodist Teaching Practice  Eastmoreland Internal Medicine, MPLLC  Tony R Pagliarulo MD  Methodist Teaching Practice  Memphis Internal Medicine & Pediatrics Associates  UT Medical Group Internal Medicine  Hugh H Williams MD  Mid-South Gastroenterology Group  Memphis Primary Care Associates PLLC  Complete Healthcare Center  Complete Healthcare Center  Geriatrics Group of Memphis  Christ Community Health Services  Christ Community Health Services  Christ Community Health Services  Christ Community Health Services  Christ Community Health Services  Medicine Clinic  The Health Loop Bisson Clinic  Midtown Internal Medicine  Midtown Internal Medicine  Robert F Kulinski MD & Associates  Robert F Kulinski MD & Associates  VA Outpatient Clinic Memphis South  VA Outpatient Clinic Memphis South  Primus Medical Group  Tri-State Gastroenterology PC  Ahsan H Kathawala MD  Graceland Internal Medicine Group PSC  Motley Internal Medicine Group  Dr Larry M Walker PC  Dr Larry M Walker PC  Graceland Internal Medicine Group PSC  Park-Highland Medical Clinic  Jesse E McGee MD  David L Smith MD  Vernois Buggs MD  Howard J Chuang MD  Kenneth Harris MD  Southern Medical Clinic  Drs McKenzie & Vandeven  Curtis L Owens MD  Drs McKenzie & Vandeven  Willyn T Jenkins MD  St Francis Senior Health Center  VA Memphis North Clinic  VA Memphis North Clinic  VA Memphis North Clinic  Southwind Medical Specialists PC  James L Boswell MD  Southwind Medical Specialists PC  Lakshmi Dasaree MD Memphis, TennesseeMemphis is a city in the southwest corner of the U.S. state of Tennessee, and the county seat of Shelby County. The city is located on the 4th Chickasaw Bluff, south of the confluence of the Wolf and Mississippi rivers. Upcoming 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 Memphis
Nearby Memphis Hospitals *St Jude Children's Research Hospital LeBonheur Children's Medical Center Regional Medical Center at Memphis Memphis Mental Health Institute Memphis VA Medical Center HEALTHSOUTH Rehabilitation Hospital Methodist University Hospital Crittenden Regional Hospital Methodist Healthcare South Hospital Delta Medical Center Methodist Healthcare North Hospital Baptist Memorial Hospital Memphis Baptist Memorial Restorative Care Hospital Baptist Memorial Hospital for Women Saint Francis Hospital Select Specialty Hospital Memphis Baptist Memorial Hospital Desoto Methodist LeBonheur Germantown Baptist Rehabilitation Hospital Germantown Saint Francis Hospital Bartlett Lakeside Behavioral Health System Parkwood Behavioral Health System Baptist Memorial Hospital Collierville Baptist Memorial Hospital Tipton 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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