Hyperkalemia Center - Montgomery, ALMontgomery 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 Montgomery * Physician Impairment Services  Montgomery Nephrology  Montgomery Nephrology  Lister Hill Health Care Center  Jackson Hospital  Adedoyin B Dosunmu-Ogunbi MD  Primary Care Internists of Montgomery  Primary Care Internists of Montgomery  Primary Care Internists of Montgomery  Montgomery Internists PC  Jackson Hospital Palliative Care  Primary Care Internists of Montgomery  Jackson Primary  Jackson Primary  Mulberry Medical Associates  Mulberry Medical Associates  Jackson Primary  Mulberry Medical Associates  Montgomery Kidney Specialists  Extended Arm Physicians Inc  Montgomery Kidney Specialists  Lawrence T Williams DO  Margaret J Barber-Owens MD  Albert E Lester MD  Apogee Medical Group  Apogee Medical Group  Apogee Medical Group  Apogee Medical Group  Apogee Medical Group  David J Knapp MD  Jefferson Underwood III MD  Copeland Care Clinic  Copeland Care Clinic  Healthsouth Rehab Hospital  Central Alabama Internal Medicine  UAB Health Center Internal Medicine  Peter B Lambert MD  UAB Health Center Internal Medicine  Family Practice  Continuity Health Care  Dialysis Clinic Inc  John M Karst MD  PriMed Vaughan Rd  Roger D Glymph MD  Internal Medicine Associates  Internal Medicine Associates  Internal Medicine Associates  Internal Medicine Associates  Internal Medicine Associates  Ruth I Miller-Frost MD  Bryan D Strickland MD  Casals Clinic Inc  Montgomery East Family Practice  Medical Care Associates  Prattville Medical Clinic  Prattville Medical Clinic  Family Medical Associates  Nicholas C Pantaleone MD  Robert K Nichols MD  PriMed Physician Incorp  Bipin Kumar MD  Wetumpka Internal Medicine Associates  Tallassee Family Care  Chilton Medical Associates  Clanton Internal Medicine  Clanton Internal Medicine  Chilton Medical Associates  Hirenkum Jani MD  Tri Med Center for Family Medicine  Pike Internal Medicine  Pike Internal Medicine  Edward P Hill IV MD  Runas Powers MD  Basel Refai MD  McGowin & Hood MD PC  Kanu J Patel MD  Chandra Shekar MD  Randy Stubbs MD  Samuel P Walker MD  Jayprakas Patel MD  Chittom Doctors Clinic  Chittom Doctors Clinic  Chittom Doctors Clinic  UAB Selma Family Medicine  Comprehensive Health  Cyriac Madathikunnel MD  UAB Selma Family Medicine  Baptist Health Center Jemison  Greystone Neurology Center  Craddock Health Center  Craddock Health Center  Craddock Health Center  Craddock Health Center  Merit Healthcare  Craddock Health Center  Sylacauga Internal Medicine LLC  Calera Family Health  Calera Family Health  Auburn Primary Care  Baptist Health Centers Columbiana Montgomery, AlabamaUpcoming Local Events2012-06-17
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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 Montgomery
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