Hyperkalemia Center - Pittsfield, MAPittsfield 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 Pittsfield * Berkshire Care  Mark R Selby DO  Neighborhood Health Center  Pittsfield Medical Associates  Pittsfield Medical Associates  Pittsfield Medical Associates  Neighborhood Health Center  Family Practice Associates  Family Practice Associates  Family Practice Associates  Berkshire Medical Center Dept of Medicine  Berkshire Medical Group PC  Berkshire Medical Group PC  Berkshire Medical Group PC  Berkshire Medical Group PC  Berkshire Medical Group PC  Berkshire Medical Group PC  Berkshire Medical Group PC  Stoddard Medical  Hillcrest Family Health Center  Hillcrest Family Health Center  Hillcrest Family Health Center  Berkshire Hematology Oncology  Lenox Internal Medicine  Lenox Internal Medicine  Mark J Liponis MD  Suburban Internal Medicine  Suburban Internal Medicine  Suburban Internal Medicine  Adams Internists  Adams Internists  Adams Internists  Adams Internists  Adams Internists  Volunteers In Medicine Berkshires  CHP Health Center  Fairview Internal Medicine  East Mountain Medical Associates  East Mountain Medical Associates  East Mountain Medical Associates  Shaohua Tang MD  Huntington Health Center  Huntington Health Center  Drs Siersma & Muellner  Drs Siersma & Muellner  Mark A Bigda MD  Northhampton VA New England Medical Center Hospitalist Program  Northhampton VA New England Medical Center Hospitalist Program  Northhampton VA New England Medical Center Hospitalist Program  Northhampton VA New England Medical Center Hospitalist Program  Northhampton VA New England Medical Center Hospitalist Program  Northhampton VA New England Medical Center Hospitalist Program  Northhampton VA New England Medical Center Hospitalist Program  Joshua O Kalter MD  G S Kingra MD  Aleksandr Pugach MD  Pioneer Valley Internal Medicine  Alan Berkenwald MD  Pioneer Valley Internal Medicine  Noble Hospital  Noble Hospital  Hampden County Physician Associates LLC  Hampden County Physician Associates LLC  Bruce M Cowan MD  Westfield Cardiology LLC  Valley Medical Group  Valley Medical Group  Hampden County Physician Associates LLC  Hampden County Physician Associates LLC  Hampden County Physician Associates LLC  Peter J Betjemann MD  Cooley Dickinson Hospitalist Program  Cooley Dickinson Hospitalist Program  Cooley Dickinson Hospitalist Program  Mohamed S Kamel MD  Diane DeBenedetto MD  Shawki Kanazi MD  RiverBend Medical Group Westfield Office  RiverBend Medical Group  RiverBend Medical Group Westfield Office  RiverBend Medical Group Westfield Office  RiverBend Medical Group  Edward Dean Stephanie T Osiecki & Andrew Hall MDs  Edward Dean Stephanie T Osiecki & Andrew Hall MDs  Edward Dean Stephanie T Osiecki & Andrew Hall MDs  Northampton Family Practice  Northampton Family Practice  Pioneer Valley Infectious Disease Associates  Jeffrey A Zesiger MD  Family Medicine Associates  Family Medicine Associates  David Alpern MD  Pioneer Valley Family Medicine  Deerfield Internal Medicine  Deerfield Internal Medicine  Richard C McGinn MD  Holyoke Associates In Internal Medicine Inc  Holyoke Medical Center  Glen Bombardier MD  Frank Croke MD Pittsfield, MassachusettsUpcoming Local Events2012-06-03
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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 Pittsfield
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