Hyperkalemia Center - Prescott, AZPrescott 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 Prescott * Karen Yates MD  David Shillington MD  Arizona Adult & Pediatric Medicine  Prescott Family Practice  Joseph H Goldberger MD  Robert D Barker II MD  David P Danowski MD  Lee A Thurston MD  George Sein MD  William E Merrell MD  Joseph P Griffin MD  Joseph P Griffin MD  Joseph P Griffin MD  Joseph P Griffin MD  Joseph P Griffin MD  Thumb Butte Medical Center PLLC  Harry L Gale DO  Southwest ID & Medical Clinic  Prescott Valley Primary & Urgent Care Clinic  Windsong Medical Associates PLLC  Michael K McKinney MD  Cottonwood Internal Medicine  Cottonwood Internal Medicine  Richard A Adams MD  Community Hospital Clinic  Community Hospital Clinic  Choices Integrative Health  Brenda Howland MD  Choices Integrative Health  Neil Singer MD  Sedona Center for Complementary Medicine  Welch Medical Clinic  Gavilan Peak Family Practice  Alliance Hospitalists  Sedona Medical Center  Barry D Zaretzky MD  Alliance Medical Clinic  Alliance Medical Clinic  Williams Health Care Ctr  Sun City West Medical Associates  Sun City West Medical Associates  Dilip C Dhadvai MD  Joe T Hayashi MD  Robert Pasterz MD  Ofelia Z Popluca MD PC  Satya Sarma MD  Arizona Medical Clinic Primary Care  Arizona Medical Clinic Primary Care  Arizona Medical Clinic Endocrinology  Arizona Medical Clinic Primary Care  Banner Arizona Medical Clinic Internal Medicine  Daniel L Kessler MD FACP PLLC  Nestor Nazareno MD  Arizona Medical Clinic Primary Care  Arizona Medical Clinic Primary Care  The Clinic For Chest Diseases  Christopher Stalberg MD  Arizona Medical Clinic Primary Care  Arizona Medical Clinic Primary Care  Banner Arizona Medical Clinic Same Day Care Clinic  Arizona Medical Clinic Primary Care  Carl J Carlson MD  Arrowhead Dermatology  Farid Ghebleh MD  Astra Medical Clinic  Roy J Watts DO  Lake Pleasant Internal Medicine PLLC  Lake Pleasant Internal Medicine PLLC  Lake Pleasant Internal Medicine PLLC  Sunrise Medical Center  Sun City West Internal Medicine Assoc  Westside Internal Medicine  Shantilal D Patel MD  Shantilal D Patel MD  Sun City West Internal Medicine Assoc  Westside Internal Medicine  Antonio Yu MD  United Hospitalists  United Hospitalists  United Hospitalists  United Hospitalists  Internal Medicine of Surprise  Surprise Health Center PLLC  Internal Medicine of Surprise  Park View Internal Medicine  West Valley Internal Medicine LLC  Internal Medicine of Surprise  West Valley Internal Medicine LLC  Internal Medicine of Surprise  Internal Medicine of Surprise  Arrowhead Community Hospital Emergency Dept  Uma Gunnala MD  Christine A Harter MD  Arrowhead Internal Medicine PC  Alvin Mathew DO  Drew Durbin DO LLC  Alvin Mathew DO  Alvin Mathew DO  Lotus Internal Medicine  Sun Valley Internist LLC Prescott, ArizonaUpcoming 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 Prescott
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