Hyperkalemia Center - Penn Hills, PAPenn Hills 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 Penn Hills * Donald R Steiner MD  Asha Raman MD  Cardiovascular Associates PC  Cardiovascular Associates PC  Sachin Bahl MD  Sachin Bahl MD  Health Center Associates UPMC  Health Center Associates UPMC  Usha Sharma MD  Health Center Associates UPMC  Gowda Primary Care  Longwood of Oak Mount Resident Care  John D Kristofic MD  Emanuel E Mamatas MD  Russellton Medical Group  Russellton Medical Group  Gastroenterology Associates  Gastroenterology Associates  Gastroenterology Associates  Donald J Wilfong MD  Margolis Rheumatology Associates  Daljit Singh MD & Associates  Golani Medical Associates  Hoover Medical Associates  Hoover Medical Associates  Renaissance Family Practice Aspinall  Margolis Rheumatology Associates  St Margaret Classic Care Gerontology Center  Daljit Singh MD & Associates  Greater Pittsburgh Medical Associates  Greater Pittsburgh Medical Associates  Greater Pittsburgh Medical Associates  Prime Care Medical Associates UPMC  Prime Care Medical Associates UPMC  Prime Care Medical Associates UPMC  Prime Care Medical Associates UPMC  Wilkensburg Family Health Center  Wilkensburg Family Health Center  Jatinder S Bajwa MD  Ferlan Medical Associates  Forbes Internal Medicine Associates  Herbert Bazron Jr. MD  Douglas Fletcher MD  Pittsburgh Endocrine & Diabetes Associates  Khan Medical Associates LLC  Prime Care Internal Medicine Associates  Seetha Chandra MD  Premier Medical Associates  Premier Medical Associates  Premier Medical Associates  Premier Medical Associates  Premier Medical Associates  Premier Medical Associates  Premier Medical Associates  Premier Medical Associates  Premier Medical Associates  Adler & Krause Cardiology Associates  Madhavan Chandra Tauberg Cardiology Medical Associates  Adler & Krause Cardiology Associates  Arnold Family Practice PC  Madhavan Chandra Tauberg Cardiology Medical Associates  Madhavan Chandra Tauberg Cardiology Medical Associates  John C Menotiades MD  Gleason Medical Associates  Gleason Medical Associates  East End Medical Associates  Levi Walker MD  Angelo Castiglione MD  Edith L Shapira MD  United Physicians Inc  United Physicians Inc  United Physicians Inc  R C Medical Associates  R C Medical Associates  R C Medical Associates  Parnassus Medical Associates DPMC  Cardiology Internal Medicine  Craig Medical Associates UPMC  Cardiology Internal Medicine  Craig Medical Associates UPMC  Medical Imaging Institute  Sterling Medical Associates  UPMC Keystone Primary Care  Sterling Medical Associates  UPMC Keystone Primary Care  Craig Medical Associates UPMC  Mieczysla Weinfeld MD  Northern Medical Associates  Shadyside Medical Group  Joseph N DiCroce MD  Pinnacle Internal Medicine Associates LLC  University General Medicine Associates UPMC  Pinnacle Internal Medicine Associates LLC  Pinnacle Internal Medicine Associates LLC  Pinnacle Internal Medicine Associates LLC  Shadyside Medical Group  Pinnacle Internal Medicine Associates LLC  Pinnacle Internal Medicine Associates LLC  Pinnacle Internal Medicine Associates LLC  Pinnacle Internal Medicine Associates LLC Penn Hills, PennsylvaniaUpcoming 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 Penn Hills
Nearby Penn Hills Hospitals *HEALTHSOUTH Harmarville Rehabilitation Hospital UPMC St Margaret VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System LifeCare Hospitals of Pittsburgh Main Campus Transitional Infant Care Hospital The Children's Institute UPMC Shadyside Western Pennsylvania Hospital UPMC Braddock The Western Pennsylvania Hospital Forbes Regional Campus HEALTHSOUTH Hospital of Pittsburgh Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh UPMC Presbyterian Magee-Womens Hospital UPMC Mercy UPMC Southside Allegheny General Hospital Kindred Hospital Pittsburgh North Shore Alle-Kiski Medical Center Select Specialty Hospital McKeesport UPMC McKeesport UPMC Passavant Allegheny General Hospital Suburban Campus LifeCare Hospitals of Pittsburgh North Campus Jefferson Regional Medical Center Ohio Valley General Hospital St Clair Hospital Westmoreland Excela Health Hospital at Jeannette Heritage Valley Sewickley Hospital UPMC Passavant Cranberry Mayview State Hospital Southwood Psychiatric Hospital HEALTHSOUTH Rehabilitation Hospital of Sewickley Westmoreland Regional Hospital Kindred Hospital Pittsburgh Monongahela Valley Hospital Butler Memorial Hospital Canonsburg General Hospital ACMH Hospital Butler VA Medical Center Latrobe Area Hospital Select Specialty Hospital Greensburg Frick Hospital Kindred Hospital at Heritage Valley Medical Center of Beaver Torrance State Hospital The Washington Hospital Ellwood City 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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