Hyperkalemia Center - Richardson, TXRichardson 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 Richardson * Asuncion Acosta MD  Drs Bannister Patterson & Paul  Anne G Coleman MD  William M Mania MD  Drs Bannister Patterson & Paul  Drs Bannister Patterson & Paul  Taylor Texas Medicine  Eduardo M Wilkinson MD  Internal Medicine  Richard J Bell MD  Internal Medicine  Felicia Lewis MD  Drs G Markus & S Ahmad MD  Richardson Regional Health Center  Sita M Boppana MD  Drs G Markus & S Ahmad MD  Richardson Regional Health Center  PrimaCare Medical Center  Michael S Tran MD  North Dallas Family Care  Audelia Medical Clinic  Vladimir A Grebennikov MD  Johnson Medical Associates  Dallas Specialty Center  DNA Texas Blood Pressure Institute  Complete Med Care  Meng Medical Clinic  Gnana Naini MD  Doctor's Home Visits  Henry Allen MD  Nelofer H Azad MD  Nelofer H Azad MD  Quest Care  Wentian (Wilson) Huang, M.D., PhD., P.C.  Rafael Canadas MD  Linh B Nguyen MD  Nguyen X Tran DO  Beth Yu MD PA  George Hewell MD  Pedro P Hani MD  Mary E Bluntzer MD  Gustavo H Day & Ana Mercau MDs  John A Demopulos MD  William Downs MD  Frank E Elliott MD  Pedro P Hani MD  Dallas Medical Specialists  John L Hollingsworth MD & David A Haymes MD  Dallas Medical Specialists  John L Hollingsworth MD & David A Haymes MD  Dallas Medical Specialists  Dallas Medical Specialists  Heart Associates  Gustavo H Day & Ana Mercau MDs  Dallas Medical Specialists  Dallas Medical Specialists  Dallas Medical Specialists  Dallas Medical Specialists  The Dallas Heart Group  Dallas Medical Specialists  Diagnostic Medical Associates of North Texas  Mahmood R Khan MD  Diagnostic Medical Associates of North Texas  Joseph Miller MD  Adrian H Nguyen MD  Darius Peikari MD PA  Questcare Hospital  Diagnostic Medical Associates of North Texas  Diagnostic Medical Associates of North Texas  Medical Clinic of North Texas  Malladi R Sastry MD  Medical Clinic of North Texas  Medical Clinic of North Texas  Mordecai N Klein MD  Vijay Sharma MD  Kalpana Thakur MD PA  Internal Medicine & Pediatric Associates  Internal Medicine & Pediatric Associates  Internal Medicine & Pediatric Associates  American Internal Medicine Services  Baylor Senior Health Center  Baylor Senior Health Center  Baylor Senior Health Center  Stefanie McCann MD  North Texas Lung Institute  Health Texas Inpatient Care Unit  Health Texas Inpatient Care Unit  Health Texas Inpatient Care Unit  Health Texas Inpatient Care Unit  Plano Inpatient Care Unit  Dallas Diagnostic Association  Dallas Diagnostic Association  Plano Inpatient Care Unit  Dallas Diagnostic Association  Dallas Diagnostic Association  Dallas Diagnostic Association  Plano Inpatient Care Unit  Dallas Diagnostic Association  Dallas Diagnostic Association  Medical Clinic of North Texas Richardson, TexasUpcoming Local Events2012-06-16
2012-06-17
2012-06-27
2012-07-13
2012-08-06
2012-08-12
2012-09-08
2012-10-28
2012-11-11
2012-12-02
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 Richardson
Nearby Richardson Hospitals *Methodist Richardson Regional Medical Center Green Oaks Hospital Kindred Hospital Dallas HEALTHSOUTH Plano Rehabilitation Hospital Medical Center of Plano Medical City Children's Hospital Medical City Hospital Plano Specialty Hospital Baylor Medical Center at Garland Baylor Specialty Hospital Garland Baylor Regional Medical Center at Plano Kindred Hospital Walnut Hill Presbyterian Hospital of Dallas LifeCare Hospitals of Plano Presbyterian Hospital of Plano Doctors Hospital at White Rock Lake Kindred Hospital White Rock RHD Memorial Medical Center Regency Hospital of North Dallas Trinity Medical Center Centennial Medical Center Children's Medical Center of Dallas Mary Shiels Hospital Texas Specialty Hospital at Dallas Timberlawn Mental Health System LifeCare Specialty Hospital of Dallas Baylor Medical Center at Frisco UT Southwestern Medical Center University Hospital St Paul Baylor Specialty Hospital Parkland Health & Hospital System Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children UT Southwestern Medical Center UT Southwestern Medical Center University Hospital Zale Lipshy Baylor University Medical Center Baylor Institute for Rehabilitation Baylor Jack & Jane Hamilton Heart & Vascular Hospital Irving Coppell Surgical Hospital Lake Pointe Medical Center Presbyterian Hospital of Allen Las Colinas Medical Center Dallas Regional Medical Center Methodist Dallas Medical Center Medical Center of McKinney Baylor Medical Center at Irving Medical Center of Lewisville Medical Center of McKinney Wysong Campus Renaissance Hospital Dallas Dallas VA Medical Center Baylor Regional Medical Center at Grapevine Methodist Rehabilitation Hospital Methodist Charlton Medical Center Select Specialty Hospital South Dallas Hickory Trail Hopsital Harris Methodist HEB Hospital Harris Methodist Springwood Denton Regional Medical Center Kindred Hospital Arlington Millwood Hospital Texas Health Memorial Hospital at Arlington Baylor Medical Center at Trophy Club Southwest Surgical Hospital Arlington Rehabilitation Hospital HEALTHSOUTH Rehabilitation Hospital of Arlington Medical Center of Arlington North Hills Hospital USMD Hospital at Arlington Renaissance Hospital Terrell Presbyterian Hospital of Denton Terrell State Hospital Methodist Mansfield Medical Center Kindred Hospital Mansfield 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. |
Suggested Reading on Hyperkalemia (High Blood Potassium) by Our Doctors
-
Related Diseases & Conditions
8 articles-
Burns (First Aid)
- Burns are categorized by severity as first, second, or third degree. First degree burns are similar to a painful sunburn. The damage is more severe with second degree burns, leading to blistering and more intense pain. The skin turns white and loses sensation with third degree burns. Burn treatment depends upon the location, total burn area, and intensity of the burn.
-
Diabetes (Type 1 and Type 2)
- Diabetes mellitus is a chronic condition characterized by high levels of sugar (glucose) in the blood. The two types of diabetes are referred to as type 1 (insulin dependent) and type 2 (non-insulin dependent). Symptoms of diabetes include increased urine output, thirst, hunger, and fatigue. Treatment of diabetes depends on the type.
-
Addison's Disease
- Addison disease is a hormonal (endocrine) disorder involving destruction of the adrenal glands (small glands adjacent to the kidneys). Diseased glands can no longer produce sufficient adrenal hormones (specifically cortisol) necessary for normal daily body functions. Symptoms include weight loss, muscle weakness, fatigue, low blood pressure, and sometimes darkening of the skin. Treatment of Addison disease involves replacing, or substituting, the hormones that the adrenal glands are not making.
-
Kidney Failure
- Kidney failure can occur from an acute event or a chronic condition or disease. Prerenal kidney failure is caused by blood loss, dehydration, medication. Some of the renal causes of kidney failure are from sepsis, medications, rhabdomyolysis, multiple myeloma, and acute glomerulonephritis. Post renal causes of kidney failure include bladder obstruction, prostate problems, tumors, or kidney stones. Treatment options included diet, medications, or dialysis.
-
Hypertensive Kidney Disease
- High blood pressure can damage the kidneys and is one of the leading causes of kidney failure (end-stage renal kidney disease). Kidney damage, like hypertension, can be unnoticeable and detected only through medical tests. If you have kidney disease, you should control your blood pressure. Other treatment options include prescription medications.
-
Arrhythmia
- An arrhythmia is an abnormal heart rhythm. With an arrhythmia, the heartbeats may be irregular or too slow (bradycardia), to rapid (tachycardia), or too early. When a single heartbeat occurs earlier than normal, it is called a prmature contraction.
-
Low Potassium (Hypokalemia)
- Potassium is an essential electrolyte necessary for cell function. Low potassium (hypokalemia) may be caused by diarrhea, vomiting, ileostomy, colon polyps, laxative use, diuretics, elevated corticosteroid levels, renal artery stenosis, and renal tubular acidosis, or other medications. Symptoms of low potassium include weakness, aches, and cramps of the muscles. Treatment is dependant upon the cause of the low potassium (hypokalemia).
-
Rhabdomyolysis
- Rhabdomyolysis is a rapid deterioration and destruction of skeletal muscle. Some of the causes of rhabdomyolysis include severe burns, muscle trauma, coma, seizures, electrolyte imbalance, medications (statins), viruses, bacteria. Treatment of rhabdomyolysis depends on the cause.
-
Burns (First Aid)
-
Medications
4 articles -
Procedures & Tests
1 articles -
Pictures, Images & Quizzes
1 articles -
Doctor's & Expert's Views
1 articles -
Health News
1 articles -
Health Features
0 articles
