Hyperkalemia Center - Richmond, VARichmond 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 Richmond * Richard P Wenzel MD  MCV Hospital  MCV Hospital  MCV Hospital  MCV Hospital  Virginia Commonwealth University HIV & AIDS Center  Medical College of Virginia-Heart Ctr  MCV Hospital  MCV Hospital  Medical College of Virginia  John N Clore MD  House Calls  Dominion Medical Associates  Lloyd Bonner & Roderick Haithcock MDs  Mid-Atlantic Nephrology  Mid-Atlantic Nephrology  Mid-Atlantic Nephrology  Lloyd Bonner & Roderick Haithcock MDs  Teekah & Tompkins MDs  Teekah & Tompkins MDs  Crossover Health Ministries  Green Medical Center  Charles City Medical Group Inc  Primary Health Care Associates  Ashok R Patel MD  Titus Hendrix Turner Pahle & Christensen MDs  Titus Hendrix Turner Pahle & Christensen MDs  Titus Hendrix Turner Pahle & Christensen MDs  Titus Hendrix Turner Pahle & Christensen MDs  Center For Internal Medicine Hypertension Nephrology & Kidney Diseases  Retreat Internal Medicine  William H Young MD  William R Anderson Jr. MD  William R Anderson Jr. MD  McGuire VA Medical  John S Prince Jr. MD  Patient First Carytown  Virginia Heart Institute  Arthritis Specialists Ltd  Lakeside Primary Care  Barrington H Bowser Jr. MD  Ernest A Fornaris MD  Nephrology Specialists PC  Nephrology Specialists PC  Bon Secours Sleep Disorders Center  Nephrology Specialists PC  Primary Care of West End LLC  Primary Care of West End LLC  Mechanicsville Medical Center Family Physicians  Internal Medicine Associates Virginia  Associated Internists Inc  Senior Health Center  Associated Internists Inc  Bon Secours St Mary's Hospitalists  Monument Internal Medicine  Associated Internists Inc  Associated Internists Inc  George Meyerhoff MD  Monument Internal Medicine  Bon Secours St Mary's Hospitalists  Gastrointestinal Associates of Virginia Inc  St Mary's Hospital  Bon Secours St Mary's Hospitalists  Associated Internists Inc  Bon Secours St Mary's Hospitalists  St Mary's Hospital  Internal Medicine Associates Virginia  Cardiac Surgery Specialists  Diabetes Endocrine & Internal Medicine Associates  Diabetes Endocrine & Internal Medicine Associates  Diabetes Endocrine & Internal Medicine Associates  Retreat Cardiology  Pediatric Associates  Arthritis Specialists Ltd  Retreat Cardiology  Memorial Medical Center  Partner MD  West End Internal Medicine  West End Internal Medicine  Memorial Medical Center  Peter Goodman MD  West End Internal Medicine  Memorial Medical Center  Memorial Medical Center  Partner MD  Memorial Medical Center  Memorial Medical Center  West End Internal Medicine  Jerome G Smith MD  West End Internal Medicine  Virginia Cardiovascular Specialists  Virginia Cardiovascular Specialists  Virginia Cancer Institute  Salman M Akbar MD  Shuja Khan MD  Richmond Primary Care  Patient First Woodman  Parham Road Internal Medicine  Affiliated Dermatologists of Virginia  Gerald Hake MD Richmond, VirginiaUpcoming 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 Richmond
Nearby Richmond Hospitals *VCU Medical Center Bon Secours Richmond Community Hospital Children's Hospital Retreat Doctor's Hospital Hunter Holmes McGuire VA Medical Center HEALTHSOUTH Rehabilitation Hospital of Virginia Bon Secours St Mary's Hospital CJW Medical Center Chippenham Campus Bon Secours Memorial Regional Medical Center Sheltering Arms Rehabilitation Hospital Henrico Doctors' Hospital Stony Point Surgery Center Parham Doctors' Hospital CJW Medical Center Johnston-Willis Campus Bon Secours St Francis Medical Center Hallmark Youth Care John Randolph Medical Center Central State Hospital Hiram W Davis Medical Center Poplar Springs Hospital Cumberland Hospital for Children & Adolescents Southside Regional Medical Center 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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