Hyperkalemia Center - Oro Valley, AZOro Valley 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 Oro Valley * Northwest Internal Medicine Associates PC  Northwest Internal Medicine Associates PC  IPC-Hospitalists of Arizona  Carondelet Medical Group Northwest  Carondelet Medical Group Northwest  Carondelet Medical Group Northwest  Catalina Pointe Arthritis  Catalina Pointe Arthritis  Catalina Pointe Arthritis  Catalina Pointe Arthritis  Oro Valley Hospital  Oro Valley Hospital  Oro Valley Hospital  Oro Valley Hospital  Sean M O'Brien DO  Oro Valley Hospital  Oro Valley Hospital  Hortencia M Taylor MD  Arizona Medical Services PC  Arizona Medical Services PC  Northwest Allied Physicians  University HealthCare North Hills Center  Desert Sage Internal Medicine  Mariposa Integrative Internal Medicine  Desert Sage Internal Medicine  University HealthCare North Hills Center  Northwest Allied Physicians  Northwest Allied Physicians  Mariposa Integrative Internal Medicine  University HealthCare North Hills Center  University HealthCare North Hills Center  Raymond J Schumacher MD  Orange Grove Family Practice  Stephen K Liao MD  Aspen Ralph DO PLLC  Alif Y Sarah MD  Health Care Professional Corp  Northwest Allied Physicians  Patrick J DiFonzo MD PLLC  Harvey J Maksvytis MD & Janin Struminger MD  Northwest Allied Physicians  Northwest Allied Physicians  Northwest Medical Group  Northwest Center For Geriatric Medicine  Northwest Medical Group  Tucson Endocrine Associates  Northwest Allied Physicians  Northwest Allied Physicians  Northwest Allied Physicians  Northwest Wound Care Specialists  Northwest Allied Physicians  Northwest Allied Physicians  Northwest Allied Physicians  Northwest Allied Physicians  Northwest Allied Physicians  Northwest Allied Physicians  Casas Adobes Internal Medicine  Northwest Center For Geriatric Medicine  Northwest Allied Physicians  Northwest Allied Physicians  Northwest Medical Center  Northwest Allied Physicians  Northwest Allied Physicians  Northwest Center For Geriatric Medicine  Northwest Center For Geriatric Medicine  Northwest Allied Physicians  Northwest Allied Physicians  Arizona Community Physicians PC  Northwest Allied Physicians  Northwest Allied Physicians  Northwest Allied Physicians  Northwest Allied Physicians  Northwest Allied Physicians  Northwest Allied Physicians  Pima Lung & Sleep PC  Pima Heart Associates  Pima Heart Associates  Southern Arizona Medical Specialists  Steven D Knope MD  Northwest Allied Physicians  Northwest Allied Physicians  El Rio Health Center  UPH at Arizona Cancer Center  Osteopathic Internist PC  Northwest Allied Physicians  Osteopathic Internist PC  Arizona Cancer Center UMC  Tucson Cardiology  Codac Behavioral Health Agency  Sierra Tucson Hospital  Rubin Bressler MD  Northwest Allied Physicians  St Elizabeth Clinic  University Physicians Healthcare Pediatric Hospitalists  University Physicians Healthcare Medicine Clinics  University Physicians Healthcare Medicine Clinics  University Physicians Healthcare Medicine Clinics  University Physicians Healthcare Hospitalists  University Physicians Healthcare Medicine Clinics  Hector L Garcia MD & Hector F Garcia MD Oro Valley, ArizonaUpcoming 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 Oro Valley
Nearby Oro Valley Hospitals *Northwest Medical Center Oro Valley Sonora Behavioral Health Hospital HEALTHSOUTH Rehabilitation Hospital of Southern Arizona Northwest Medical Center Sierra Tucson Tucson Heart Hospital University Medical Center Carondelet St Mary's Hospital HEALTHSOUTH Rehabilitation Institute of Tucson Palo Verde Mental Health Services Tucson Medical Center Carondelet St Joseph's Hospital Kindred Hospital Tucson Cornerstone Hospital of Southeast Arizona Southern Arizona VA Health Care System University Physicians Healthcare Hospital at Kino 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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