Hyperkalemia Center - Redmond, WARedmond 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 Redmond * Redmond Urgent Care  Group Health Eastside Primary Care Clinic  Group Health Eastside Primary Care Clinic  Group Health Eastside Primary Care Clinic  Interlake Medical Center  Interlake Medical Center  Advanced Family Medicine PLLC  Bellevue Respiratory Associates  Eastside Internal Medicine PLLC  Eastside Internal Medicine PLLC  Eastside Internal Medicine PLLC  Eastside Internal Medicine PLLC  Evergreen Medical Center  Evergreen Medical Center  Stephen N Aprill MD  Deborah A Barto MD  Michael Eulberg MD  Associated Gastroenterologists of N WA  Evergreen Diabetes & Endocrinology Medical Group  Robert Reid MD  Lakeshore Clinic Totem Lake  Lakeshore Clinic Totem Lake  Eastside Family Health Center  Pacific Medical Centers  Pacific Medical Centers  Pacific Medical Centers  Pacific Medical Centers  Pacific Medical Centers  Richard A Neiman MD Inc  Eastside Premier Medicine PLLC  Virginia Mason Kirkland  Virginia Mason Kirkland  Virginia Mason Kirkland  Virginia Mason Kirkland  Drs King & Tung  Virginia Mason Kirkland  Brad J Wallum MD  Woodinville Urgent Care  Susan G Romanick MD PLLC  New Options West  Overlake Internal Medicine Associates  Eastside Internal Medicine and Cardiology  Overlake Internal Medicine Associates PS  Overlake Internal Medicine Associates PS  Tatyana Kutsy MD  Eastside Pulmonary Associates  Patricia A Martin MD  Overlake Internal Medicine Associates PS  Overlake Internal Medicine Associates  Overlake Internal Medicine Associates PS  Overlake Internal Medicine Associates PS  Bellevue Cardiology Clinic  Overlake Internal Medicine Associates  Overlake Bellevue Clinic  Overlake Bellevue Clinic  Overlake Bellevue Clinic  Sana Issa-Pratt MD PLLC  Overlake Bellevue Clinic  Overlake Bellevue Clinic  Overlake Bellevue Clinic  Overlake Senior Health Center Bellevue  Overlake Senior Health Center Bellevue  Woodinville Primary Care  Overlake Hospitalist Team  Overlake Senior Health Center Bellevue  Overlake Hospitalist Team  Overlake Hospitalist Team  Overlake Senior Health Center Bellevue  Overlake Senior Health Center Bellevue  Minor & James Medical Group PLLC  Minor & James Medical Group PLLC  Minor & James Medical Group PLLC  Virginia Mason Bellevue Clinic  Virginia Mason Bellevue Clinic  Virginia Mason Bellevue Clinic  Virginia Mason Bellevue Clinic  Virginia Mason Bellevue Clinic  Virginia Mason Bellevue Clinic  Lakeshore Clinic Bothell  Swedish Physicians Pine Lake  Swedish Physicians Issaquah Clinic  Swedish Physicians Issaquah Clinic  Sleep Medicine Associates  Northwest Geriatrics  Minor & James Medical Group PLLC  Minor & James Medical Group PLLC  Minor & James Medical Group PLLC  Hawthorne Hills Internal Medicine  Hawthorne Hills Internal Medicine  Drs Jacobson & Ruud  Drs Jacobson & Ruud  Victoria M Rouillard MD  Lake Forest Park Medical Clinic  John T Gallanis MD  Lake City Medical  Sand Point Internists  Gaines Geriatric Practice  Virginia Mason Issaquah  Sand Point Internists  Sand Point Internists Redmond, WashingtonUpcoming 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 Redmond
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