Hyperkalemia Center - Raleigh, NCRaleigh 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 Raleigh * James S Parsons MD  Obinnaya C Umesi MD  The Debnam Clinic  Debnam Clinic Pediatric Dept of Raleigh  Rex Senior Health Center  Rex Senior Health Center  Hospice of Wake County  Central Regional Hospital  Raleigh Central Prison  North Car Correctional Institute for Women  North Car Correctional Institute for Women  Wake Health Services  Raleigh Associated Medical Specialists  Alliance Medical Ministries  Carolina Heart Center PA  Raleigh Medical Group PA  Raleigh Medical Group PA  Raleigh Medical Group PA  Raleigh Medical Group PA  Raleigh Medical Group PA  Michael Q Karam MD  Raleigh Medical Group PA  Raleigh Medical Group PA  Raleigh Medical Group PA  Boylan Medical Associates  Boylan Medical Associates  Boylan Medical Associates  Raleigh Community Hospital Inpatient Medical Service  North Hills Internal Medicine PA  Raleigh Community Hospital Inpatient Medical Service  Raleigh Community Hospital Inpatient Medical Service  Metro Internal Medicine PA  Raleigh Community Hospital Inpatient Medical Service  Hunter-Hopkins Center PA  North Hills Internal Medicine PA  Raleigh Community Hospital Inpatient Medical Service  Triangle Gastroenterology PLLC  North Hills Internal Medicine PA  Raleigh Endocrine Associates  Raleigh Community Hospital Inpatient Medical Service  Raleigh Urgent Care Center  Duke Hematology & Oncology  Wake Health Services  Duke Gastroenterology of Raleigh  WakeMed Faculty Physicians Hospitalist Service  WakeMed Faculty Physicians Hospitalist Service  WakeMed Faculty Physicians Hospitalist Service  WakeMed Faculty Physicians Hospitalist Service  WakeMed Faculty Physicians Hospitalist Service  WakeMed Faculty Physicians Hospitalist Service  WakeMed Faculty Physicians Hospitalist Service  Raleigh VA Out Patient Clinic  WakeMed Faculty Physicians Hospitalist Service  Wake Med Faculty Physicians  WakeMed Faculty Physicians Hospitalist Service  WakeMed Faculty Physicians Hospitalist Service  WakeMed Faculty Physicians Hospitalist Service  WakeMed Faculty Physicians Hospitalist Service  WakeMed Faculty Physicians Hospitalist Service  WakeMed Faculty Physicians Hospitalist Service  WakeMed Faculty Physicians Hospitalist Service  WakeMed Faculty Physicians Hospitalist Service  Wake Med Faculty Physicians  WakeMed Faculty Physicians Hospitalist Service  WakeMed Faculty Physicians Hospitalist Service  Wake Med Faculty Physicians  WFP Pediatrics  WakeMed Faculty Physicians Hospitalist Service  WakeMed Faculty Physicians Hospitalist Service  WakeMed Faculty Physicians Hospitalist Service  WakeMed Faculty Physicians Hospitalist Service  WakeMed Faculty Physicians Hospitalist Service  WakeMed Faculty Physicians Hospitalist Service  Wake Med Faculty Physicians  WakeMed Faculty Physicians Hospitalist Service  WakeMed Faculty Physicians Hospitalist Service  WakeMed Faculty Physicians Hospitalist Service  Lacy A Colson MD  West Raleigh Internal Medicine PA  West Raleigh Internal Medicine PA  West Raleigh Internal Medicine PA  West Raleigh Internal Medicine PA  West Raleigh Internal Medicine PA  Womens Primary Care  Hung Le MD  Mitchell Hardison MD  Capital Internal Medicine & Geriatrics PA  Rex Hospital  Rex Hospital  Rex Hospital  Rex Hospital  Rex Hospital  Rex Hospital  Rex Healthcare Hospitalist Team  Rex Hospital  Internal Medicine Associates of Raleigh PA  Raleigh Adult Medicine  Premier Cardiovascular PA  Ajey B Golwala MD  Internal Medicine Associates of Raleigh PA Raleigh, North CarolinaRaleigh is the capital city of the state of North Carolina, the seat of Wake County and the second largest city in North Carolina behind Charlotte. Raleigh is known as the "City of Oaks" for its many oak trees.
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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 Raleigh
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