Hyperkalemia Center - Milford, CTMilford 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 Milford * Milford Physician Services  Milford Physician Services  Milford Physician Services  Milford Physician Services  Milford Physician Services  Milford Physician Services  Medical Group of Milford  Medical Group of Milford  Milford Hospital Internal Medicine  Internal Medicine Of Milford PC  Internal Medicine Of Milford PC  Michael B Rudolph MD  Internal Medicine Of Milford PC  Internal Medicine Of Milford PC  Internal Medicine Of Milford PC  Internal Medicine Of Milford PC  Nitai I Riegler & Steven L Saunders MDs  Nitai I Riegler & Steven L Saunders MDs  Clinical Research Consulting LLC  Ismail Tarkhan MD  Pang Wang MD  Multicare Medical Center PC  Anthony G Ciccaglione MD  Medi Weightloss Clinics  Gastroenterology & Internal Medicine of Orange  Family Practice & Internal Medicine of Orange LLC  Kavita Joshi MD  Raymond J Keogh MD  Primed  Primed LLC  John W Kirkland MD  Primed LLC  Primary Care Associates  Robert A Sheiman MD  Primed  David M Chess MD  Med Now Family Walk-In & Industrial Medical Center  Med Now Family Walk-In & Industrial Medical Center  Primary Care of Shelton  Gerard Abidor DO  St Vincent's Immediate Health Care  St Vincent's Immediate Health Care  St Vincent's Immediate Health Care  Drs Goldfarb, Ranno & Associates LLC  St Vincent's Immediate Health Care  St Vincent's Immediate Health Care  Robert N Hyde III MD  St Vincent's Immediate Health Care  St Vincent's Immediate Health Care  St Vincent's Immediate Health Care  St Vincent's Immediate Health Care  St Vincent's Immediate Health Care  St Vincent's Immediate Health Care  Piotr Waldemar Baginski MD  Primary Care Physicians of Fairfield  Primary Care Physicians of Fairfield  Mill Hill Medical Consultants  Mill Hill Medical Consultants  Charles E Kochan Jr. MD  Physician Home & Health Services  CT Medical Associates  CT Medical Associates  Myl Rama MD  Pri Med LLC  Pri Med LLC  Pri Med LLC  Pri Med LLC  Pri Med LLC  Optimus Health Care Inc  Huntington Medical Care Associates PC  Hana J Clements MD  Family Faculty Practice Plan  Yousuf S M Ali, MD  Family Faculty Practice Plan  Family Faculty Practice Plan  Family Faculty Practice Plan  Anton N Chinniah MD  Savin Medical Practice LLC  Paul S Mikan MD  Qaiyam Mujtaba MD  Internal Medicine of West Haven  VA Hospital Internal Medicine  Ilja Hulinsky MD  Family Physicians of West Haven LLC  Campbell Medical Services  VA Hospital Internal Medicine  Family Physicians of West Haven LLC  VA Hospital Internal Medicine  Carlos S Schweitzer MD  The Cardiology Group PC  West Haven Medical Group  West Haven Medical Group  West Haven Medical Group  West Haven Medical Group  West Haven Medical Group  West Haven Medical Group  West Haven Medical Group  West Haven Medical Group  West Haven Medical Group  Bruce T Brennan MD Milford, ConnecticutUpcoming 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 Milford
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