Hyperkalemia Center - Muncie, INMuncie 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 Muncie * Muncie Internal Medicine  Medical Consultants  Muncie Internal Medicine  Internists Associates  Internists Associates  Internists Associates  Internists Associates  Cheryl L Westmoreland MD  Arthur R Boberg MD  Woodway Internal Medicine  Woodway Internal Medicine  Woodway Internal Medicine  Woodway Internal Medicine  Woodway Internal Medicine  Robert N Reilly MD  R Stephen Smith MD  Robert S Smith  Partners in Internal Medicine  James Dunn MD  West Jay Clinic  New Castle Clinic  New Castle Clinic  New Castle Clinic  New Castle Clinic  New Castle Clinic  Upland Health & Diagnostic Center  Blackford Community Medical Group  Debra J Harp MD  IU Medical Group Internal Medicine  IU Medical Group Internal Medicine  James E Ong MD  Wail Bakdash MD  R Kelly Chambers MD  Saiful Kabir MD  Fairmount Medical Center  Heart Partners of Indiana LLC  Central Indiana Orthopedics PC  Paresh Shah MD  St Vincent Physicians Health Network of Winchester  VA Northern Indiana Health Care  VA Northern Indiana Health Care  Pendleton Family Practice  Pendleton Family Practice  Ambucare Clinic  Abdul Moneim Hasheesh MD  Surgeons Inc  Medical Associates of Grant County  Medical Associates of Grant County  Emil A Balassandiran MD  Santosh K Singh MD  Chandansin S Thethi MD  Fortville Family Practice  St Vincent Physician Network  Anderson Family Practice  Northeast Medical Group  Northeast Medical Group  Northeast Medical Group  Northeast Medical Group  St Vincent Family Health Center of Union City  Richmond State Hospital  Richmond State Hospital  Rushville Medical Clinic  Paul A Bergfelder MD  Richmond Cardiology Associates LLC  midwest medical care  Primary Care Associates  Primary Care Associates  Rajesh Madan MD  Primary Care Associates  Caylor-Nickel Clinic  Caylor-Nickel Clinic  Jagdish R Patel MD  Shiv S Kapoor MD  Pediatric & Internal Medicine Med Ctr  Alan B Hartman MD  Alan B Hartman MD  Pediatric & Internal Medicine Med Ctr  Alan B Hartman MD  Pediatric & Internal Medicine Med Ctr  Mahendra K Kalra MD  Mahendra K Kalra MD  Pankaj Kumar MD  Narendra Agrawal MD  Narendra Agrawal MD  Internists Inc  James R Lewis MD  Noble Creek Medicine  Northeast Medical Group  Northeast Medical Group  Northeast Medical Group  Parkside Internal Medicine  Parkside Internal Medicine  Parkside Internal Medicine  Parkside Internal Medicine  David J Dwyer MD  Noblesville Diabetes  Riverview Hospital Hospitalist  Thomas W Miller MD  American Health Network  Mary C Compton MD Muncie, IndianaUpcoming 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 Muncie
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