Hyperkalemia Center - Nashville, TNNashville 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 Nashville * Vanderbilt Cardiology  Vanderbilt University Medical Center  Vanderbilt University Medical Center  Vanderbilt University Medical Center  Vanderbilt University Oncology  Vanderbilt Cardiology  United Neighborhood Health Services Cayce Family Health Center  Matthew Walker Comprehensive Health Center  Nashville Medical Group  Nashville Medical Group  Nashville Medical Group  Nashville Medical Group  Bruce A Davis MD  Nashville Medical Group  Tracey E Doering MD  Nashville Medical Group  Cheryl A Fassler MD  Nashville Medical Group  Nashville Medical Group  Nashville Medical Group  Robert P Graham Jr. MD  Nashville Medical Group  Pinnacle Medical Group  Nashville Medical Group  Michael P Miller MD  Nashville Medical Group  Nashville Medical Group  Nashville Medical Group  Nashville Medical Group  Glenn H Booth Jr. MD  Sally W Burbank MD & Ellen Roback MD  Fullerton Medical Clinic  Drs Gluck Hatcher & McNabb  Gamal A Harris MD  Drs Gluck Hatcher & McNabb  Metro Center Healthcare Group  Watts & Martin MDs  Daryl L Nichols MD  Sally W Burbank MD & Ellen Roback MD  Scales Nutrition & Wellness Center  Watts & Martin MDs  Meharry General Hospital Nashville  Barbara R Kent MD LLC  Drs Coffey Dubois & Smalley  Harvey W Bowles MD  Midstate Health Associates  Heritage Medical Associates  Heritage Medical Associates  Heritage Medical Associates  Robert T Cochran Jr. MD  Drs Coffey Dubois & Smalley  Heritage Medical Associates  Heritage Medical Associates  Heritage Medical Associates  Heritage Medical Associates  Lloyd Huang William B Ralph Jr. & Linda M Williams MDs  Heritage Medical Associates  Heritage Medical Associates  Heritage Medical Associates  Francisco J Mayorquin MD  Carl Mitchell MD  Ugo O Nwachuku MD  Heritage Medical Associates  Lloyd Huang William B Ralph Jr. & Linda M Williams MDs  Heritage Medical Associates  Judson E Rogers MD  Heritage Medical Associates  Heritage Medical Associates  Heritage Medical Associates  The Frist Clinic  Hospitalist Centennial Medical Center  The Frist Clinic  The Frist Clinic  Hospitalist Centennial Medical Center  Hospitalist Centennial Medical Center  The Frist Clinic  Signature Nephrology  Nashville Lung Center  Vanderbilt Heart & Vascular Institute  The Frist Clinic  Clinton L Cummings MD  Hillsboro Medical Group at Vanderbilt  Vanderbilt Internal Medicine  Sterling Primary Care  Hospitalist Centennial Medical Center  Marquetta L Faulkner MD  Vanderbilt University Medical Center Internal Medicine & Pediatrics  James C Gekas MD  Vanderbilt University Hospital Internal Medicine  Vanderbilt Medical Center  Vanderbilt Internal Medicine  Hospitalist Centennial Medical Center  Vanderbilt Internal Medicine  Vanderbilt Medical Group Internal Medicine  Mary Huizinga MD  Vanderbilt Ingram Cancer Center Hematology Oncology  The Frist Clinic  Mid State Endocrine Associates  The Frist Clinic  Vanderbilt Internal Medicine Nashville, TennesseeNashville is the capital of the U.S. state of Tennessee and the county seat of Davidson County. It is the second most populous city in the state after Memphis. It is located on the Cumberland River in Davidson County, in the north-central part of the state. The city is a major hub for the health care, music, publishing, banking and transportation industries. Upcoming 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 Nashville
Nearby Nashville Hospitals *Metropolitan Nashville General Hospital Baptist Hospital Nashville Rehabilitation Hospital Centennial Medical Center Parthenon Pavilion Vanderbilt University Medical Center Monroe Carell Jr Children's Hospital at Vanderbilt Nashville VA Medical Center Psychiatric Hospital At Vanderbilt Vanderbilt Stallworth Rehabilitation Hospital Bordeaux Long Term Care Kindred Hospital Nashville Saint Thomas Hospital Skyline Medical Center Southern Hills Medical Center Middle Tennessee Mental Health Institute Skyline Madison Campus Summit Medical Center Hendersonville Medical Center Williamson Medical Center Centennial Medical Center Ashland City StoneCrest Medical Center Sumner Regional Medical Center NorthCrest Medical Center University Medical Center McFarland Specialty Hospital Alvin C York Veterans Affairs Medical Center Middle Tennessee 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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