Hyperkalemia Center - Pawtucket, RIPawtucket 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 Pawtucket * Blackstone Valley Community Health Care  Nardone Medical Associates Inc  Kim S Amin MD  Memorial Hospital of Rhode Island  Northeast Internal Medicine Inc  Memorial Hospital of Rhode Island  Tumkur B N Kumar MD  Tumkur B N Kumar MD  Fredy P Roland MD  Northeast Internal Medicine Inc  Joyce Coppola MD  Primary Care Medical Associates Inc  Vito A Longobardi MD  Memorial Hospital Internal Medicine  Syed Naqvi MD  John P Miskovsky MD  Syed Naqvi MD  Memorial Hospital Internal Medicine  Syed Naqvi MD  Syed Naqvi MD  Memorial Hospital Internal Medicine  Department of Internal Medicine  University Internal Medicine Inc  University Internal Medicine Inc  Yalakki Gowda MD  University Internal Medicine Inc  University Internal Medicine Inc  University Internal Medicine Inc  Blackstone Valley Community Health Care  University Internal Medicine Inc  Gilbert J Altongy MD  Professional Internal Medicine Assoc  Jeffrey F Baron MD  Allergy & Asthma Physicians of Rhode Island  Miriam Hospital Hospitalist Service  Miriam Hospital Hospitalist Service  Miriam Hospital Hospitalist Service  Miriam Hospital Hospitalist Service  Medicine Associates Ltd  Anne Cushing-Brescia MD  Lincoln Primary Care  Miriam Hospital Hospitalist Service  Miriam Hospital Hospitalist Service  Elaine B Fain MD  Miriam Hospital Hospitalist Service  University Medicine Foundation  Medical Clinic  Fadi Mansourati MD  Vincent Pera MD  Miriam Hospital Hospitalist Service  Miriam Hospital Hospitalist Service  Daniel Hochberger MD  Michael E Klufas MD  Jean Smith MD  Edward Olchowski MD & Sheldon Kaplan MD  Edward Olchowski MD & Sheldon Kaplan MD  Lynn H Sommerville MD PhD  Hope Medical Group  Endocrine Treatment Center Inc  David L Kitzes MD  Providence Cardiology Inc  Christopher W Ley MD  Hope Medical Group  John Straus MD  Marc Weinberg MD  Rheumatology Associates  University Medicine Foundation Inc  Wayland Medical Associates  University Medicine Foundation Inc  Rheumatology Associates  Rheumatology Associates  University Medicine Foundation Inc  Rheumatology Associates  University Medicine Foundation Inc  Wayland Medical Associates  Wayland Medical Associates  University Medicine Foundation Inc  Rheumatology Associates  University Medicine Foundation Inc  Claude E Younes MD  Brown University Health Science Center  Brown University Health Science Center  Capital Hill Health Center  Providence Community Health Centers  Providence Community Health Centers  Nephrology Associates Inc  Providence Community Health Centers  Vincent A Armenio MD & Associates  Vincent A Armenio MD & Associates  Vincent A Armenio MD & Associates  Alex Mandel MD  East Providence Medical Center  Anthony V Rocha MD  Daniela Turacova MD  Amir Alizadeh MD  University Medical Group  Medical Group of Rhode Island Inc  North Providence Medical Services  Mineral Spring Primary Care  University Medical Group Pawtucket, Rhode IslandUpcoming Local Events2012-06-10
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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 Pawtucket
Nearby Pawtucket Hospitals *Memorial Hospital of Rhode Island The Miriam Hospital Butler Hospital Arbour-Fuller Hospital Providence VA Medical Center Roger Williams Medical Center Our Lady of Fatima Hospital Hasbro Children's Hospital Rhode Island Hospital Women & Infants Hospital of Rhode Island Southern New England Rehabilitation Center St Joseph Health Services Bradley Hospital Sturdy Memorial Hospital Rehabilitation Hospital of Rhode Island Eleanor Slater Hospital Pastore Center Landmark Medical Center Kent Hospital Taunton State Hospital Morton Hospital & Medical Center Charlton Memorial Hospital Saint Anne's Hospital Milford Regional Medical Center Eleanor Slater Hospital Zambarano Unit Boston VA Healthcare System Brockton Kindred Specialty Hospital Stoughton Caritas Good Samaritan Medical Center Caritas Norwood Hospital New England Sinai Hospital & Rehabilitation Center Westwood Lodge Hospital Massachusetts Hospital School New Bedford Rehabilitation Hospital Signature Healthcare Brockton Hospital Hubbard Regional Hospital Newport Hospital Day Kimball Hospital Kindred Specialty Hospital Braintree Kindred Specialty Hospital Natick MetroWest Medical Center Leonard Morse Hospital MetroWest Medical Center Framingham Union Hospital Beth Israel Deaconess Hospital Needham St Luke's Hospital Braintree Rehabilitation Hospital Whittier Rehabilitation Hospital Westborough VA Boston Healthcare System West Roxbury Campus Milton Hospital South Shore Hospital Bournewood Hospital South County Hospital Westborough State Hospital Hebrew Rehabilitation Center for the Aged Quincy Medical Center Faulkner Hospital Caritas Carney Hospital Newton Wellesley Hospital Massachusetts Mental Health Center Lemuel Shattuck Hospital Arbour Hospital UMass Memorial Medical Center University Campus Worcester State Hospital Radius Specialty Hospital Boston UMass Memorial Marlborough Hospital VA Boston Healthcare System Jamaica Plain Campus St Vincent Hospital at Worcester Medical Center New England Baptist Hospital UMass Memorial Medical Center Memorial Campus Brigham & Women's Hospital Adcare Hospital of Worcester Caritas St Elizabeth's Medical Center Dana Farber Cancer Institute Kindred Hospital Boston Children's Hospital Boston Franciscan Hospital for Children Beth Israel Deaconess 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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