Hyperkalemia Center - Portsmouth, VAPortsmouth 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 Portsmouth * 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  Dirghayu Desai MD  Internal Medicine of Portsmouth Ltd  Kouichi Matsushige MD  Internal Medicine of Portsmouth Ltd  Internal Medicine of Portsmouth Ltd  Parimal J Soni MD  Doris M Rice MD  Churchland Internal Medicine Ltd  Churchland Internal Medicine Ltd  Churchland Internal Medicine Ltd  Churchland Internal Medicine Ltd  Internists of Churchland  Portsmouth Pulmonary Associates  Robert M Jurko MD  Internists of Churchland  Portsmouth Pulmonary Associates  Portsmouth Pulmonary Associates  Internists of Churchland  Adult & Pediatric Med Associates PC  Akins MEDIACL GROUP  Bhowmik Medical Practice  Mosta G Haque MD FACP  Endocrinology & Diabetes Center  Imtiaz Zaman MD  Herbert M Brewer MD  Tidewater Kidney Specialists Inc  EVMS Sleep Disorders Lab  Contemporary Medicine Specialists  Eastern Virginia Medical School  Tidewater Kidney Specialists Inc  EVMS Sleep Disorders Lab  Eastern Virginia Medical School  Eastern Virginia Medical School  Eastern Virginia Medical School  Eastern Virginia Medical School  Eastern Virginia Medical School  Eastern Virginia Medical School  Sentara Family Medicine Physicians Fort Norf  Eastern Virginia Medical School  Eastern Virginia Medical School  Eastern Virginia Medical School  Eastern Virginia Medical School  Eastern Virginia Medical School  Harbors Edge Clinic  Eastern Virginia Medical School  Eastern Virginia Medical School  Drs Mann, Martens, Camp & Naylor  Drs Mann, Martens, Camp & Naylor  Drs Mann, Martens, Camp & Naylor  Drs Mann, Martens, Camp & Naylor  Gordon A Ryan MD  Patient Choice Ghent  Internists At Western Branch  Internists At Western Branch  Hague Internal Medicine  Executive Internal Medicine PC  Executive Internal Medicine PC  Hague Medical Associates  Executive Internal Medicine PC  Medical Consultants of Virginia  Medical Consultants of Virginia  Internal Medicine Specialists  Charles F Lovell Jr. MD  Internal Medicine Specialists  Internal Medicine Specialists  Consultants in Internal Medicine  Consultants in Internal Medicine  Consultants in Internal Medicine  Consultants in Internal Medicine  Consultants in Internal Medicine  Consultants in Internal Medicine  SMG The Group for Internal Medicine  SMG The Group for Internal Medicine  Consultants in Internal Medicine  Consultants in Internal Medicine  Consultants in Internal Medicine  Lakeview Medical Center Inc  Lakeview Medical Center Inc  Associates in Primary Care PC  Associates in Primary Care PC  Associates in Primary Care PC  Park Place Medical Center  Park Place Medical Center  Norfolk Internal Medicine  Gastroenterology Associates of Tidewater PC  Long Term Care of Virginia Portsmouth, 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 Portsmouth
Nearby Portsmouth Hospitals *Bon Secours Maryview Medical Center Sentara Norfolk General Hospital Children's Hospital of The King's Daughter Harbour Pointe Medical Center & Rehabilitation Center Bon Secours DePaul Medical Center Lake Taylor Transitional Care Hospital Riverside Rehabilitation Institute Sentara Leigh Hospital The Barry Robinson Center Chesapeake General Hospital Hampton VA Medical Center Sentara Bayside Hospital Riverside Behavioral Health Center Sentara Obici Hospital Sentara CarePlex Hospital Riverside Regional Medical Center Sentara Virginia Beach General Hospital Virginia Beach Psychiatric Center Mary Immaculate 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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