Hyperkalemia Center - Newport News, VANewport News 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 Newport News * Robert N Lowe MD  Peninsula Institute for Community Health  Peninsula Institute for Community Health  I & O Medical Centers  W A Franklin Jr. MD  TPMG Hampton Family Medicine  Henry L Rothfuss MD  TPMG Hampton Family Medicine  Walter R Wallingford MD  Family Practice of Hampton Roads  Phillip M Dennis MD  Pennisula Kidney Associates  Pennisula Kidney Associates  Pennisula Kidney Associates  Melvin G Green Jr. MD  Tidewater Internal Medicine Associates  Tidewater Internal Medicine Associates  Riverside Peninsula Pulmonary Associates  Riverside Inpatient Internal Medicine  Riverside Inpatient Internal Medicine  Riverside Internal Medicine  Riverside Medical Specialists  Riverside Internal Medicine  Riverside Internal Medicine  Riverside Internal Medicine  Humberto Henriquez MD  Veterans Affairs Medical Center  Veterans Affairs Medical Center  Veterans Affairs Medical Center  Gastrointestinal & Liver Specialists of Tidewater PLLC  TPMG Ob/Gyn & Internal Medicine  TPMG Ob/Gyn & Internal Medicine  KCS Pulmonary PC  Lakeview Medical Center Inc  Lakeview Medical Center Inc  Endocrinology & Diabetes Center  David S Ramstad MD  Port Warwick Internal Medicine  Churchland Internal Medicine Ltd  Robert M Jurko MD  Churchland Internal Medicine Ltd  C Patrick Laughlin MD  Tidewater Endocrine Consultants PC  Port Warwick Internal Medicine  Port Warwick Internal Medicine  Churchland Internal Medicine Ltd  Churchland Internal Medicine Ltd  Adult & Pediatric Med Associates PC  Internists of Churchland  Portsmouth Pulmonary Associates  Internists of Churchland  Portsmouth Pulmonary Associates  Portsmouth Pulmonary Associates  Internists of Churchland  Parimal J Soni MD  Sentara Family Medicine Physicians  Cornerstone Private Practice  Maureen Chevalier-Seawell MD PC  Internists At Western Branch  Internists At Western Branch  Team Health Hospitalists  Team Health Hospitalists  Team Health Hospitalists  Team Health Hospitalists  Team Health Hospitalists  Team Health Hospitalists  Team Health Hospitalists  Team Health Hospitalists  Team Health Hospitalists  Team Health Hospitalists  Team Health Hospitalists  Team Health Hospitalists  Team Health Hospitalists  James T Saunders MD  Long Term Care of Virginia  Long Term Care of Virginia  Dirghayu Desai MD  Mohan H Goudar MD  Granby Internal Medicine  Mohan H Goudar MD  DePaul Medical Associates  Granby Internal Medicine  Norfolk Internal Medicine  Gastroenterology Associates of Tidewater PC  Long Term Care of Virginia  Drs Mann, Martens, Camp & Naylor  Internal Medicine of Portsmouth Ltd  Drs Mann, Martens, Camp & Naylor  Drs Mann, Martens, Camp & Naylor  Kouichi Matsushige MD  Drs Mann, Martens, Camp & Naylor  Patient Choice Ghent  Internal Medicine of Portsmouth Ltd  Internal Medicine of Portsmouth Ltd  EVMS Sleep Disorders Lab  EVMS Sleep Disorders Lab  Herbert M Brewer MD  Tidewater Kidney Specialists Inc  Contemporary Medicine Specialists  Eastern Virginia Medical School Newport News, VirginiaUpcoming 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 Newport News
Nearby Newport News Hospitals *Riverside Rehabilitation Institute Riverside Behavioral Health Center Sentara CarePlex Hospital Hampton VA Medical Center Riverside Regional Medical Center Bon Secours DePaul Medical Center Harbour Pointe Medical Center & Rehabilitation Center Sentara Norfolk General Hospital Children's Hospital of The King's Daughter Bon Secours Maryview Medical Center Mary Immaculate Hospital Lake Taylor Transitional Care Hospital Sentara Leigh Hospital The Barry Robinson Center Sentara Obici Hospital Sentara Bayside Hospital Chesapeake General Hospital Sentara Virginia Beach General Hospital Virginia Beach Psychiatric Center Eastern State Hospital Sentara Williamsburg Regional Medical Center Riverside Walter Reed Hospital Southampton Memorial Hospital 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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