Hyperkalemia Center - Rockford, ILRockford 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 Rockford * Crusaders Central Clinic Association  Kamlesh Ramchandani MD  Swedish American Five Points Medical Group  Crusaders Central Clinic Association  InnovaMed  InnovaMed  InnovaMed  Rockford Health System Internal Medicine  Rockford Memorial Hospitalist Group  Rockford Memorial Hospitalist Group  Rockford Memorial Hospitalist Group  Rockford Memorial Hospitalist Group  Rockford Health Physicians  Rockford Memorial Hospitalist Group  Rockford Memorial Hospitalist Group  Rockford Memorial Hospitalist Group  Rockford Memorial Hospitalist Group  Rockford Memorial Hospitalist Group  Rockford Memorial Hospitalist Group  Rockford Memorial Hospitalist Group  Rockford Memorial Hospitalist Group  Rockford Health Physicians  Rockford Memorial Hospitalist Group  Rockford Memorial Hospitalist Group  Rockford Memorial Hospitalist Group  Rockford Memorial Hospitalist Group  Drs Gray & Koepsell  Drs Gray & Koepsell  Physicians Immediate Care  Glennetta Coleman MD  Stephen C Geller MD  Physicians Immediate Care  Physicians Immediate Care  Rockford Adult Medicine  Charles R Welford MD SC  OSF Medical Group Rockford Family Practice  Rockford Health System Internal Medicine  Rockford Health System Internal Medicine  Rockford Health System Internal Medicine  Paul D Revis MD  Rockford Health System  Swedish American Medical Group Woodside  Swedish American Medical Group Woodside  Swedish American Medical Group Woodside  Swedish American Medical Group Woodside  Swedish American Medical Group Woodside  Allison Benthal DO  OSF Medical Group Springcreek  ACT Medical Group Oncology  OSF Medical Group Springcreek  Irene M Boswell MD  Rockford Health System  OSF Medical Group Strathmoor  Roxbury Family Medicine  OSF Rock Cut  Rockford Health System Roscoe  Rockford Health System Roscoe  Swedish American Medical Group Belvidere  Swedish American Medical Group Belvidere  Swedish American Medical Group Belvidere  Frederick W Shappert Primary  Rockford Health Physicians  Gorman Family Medical Clinic  Mount Morris Primary Care Clinic  Briarwood Medical Center  Ghorisiddi R Khan MD  DeKalb Clinic  DeKalb Clinic  DeKalb Clinic  DeKalb Clinic  Gastrointestinal Health Specialists LLC  DeKalb Clinic  DeKalb Clinic  DeKalb Clinic  Kishwaukee Medical Associates  Allen Shah & Gonnella MDs  Advanced Internal Medicine of Northern Illinois  Allen Shah & Gonnella MDs  Indu Y Vaidya MD  FHN Family Healthcare Center Stephenson Street  FHN Family Healthcare Center Stephenson Street  FHN Family Healthcare Center Stephenson Street  FHN Occupational Health & Rehabilitation  Elgin Nephrology & Hampshire Clinic  Elgin Nephrology & Hampshire Clinic  Elgin Nephrology & Hampshire Clinic  KSB Medical Group  KSB Medical Group  Dixon Clinic  Laxman Iyer MD  Dixon Clinic  Dixon Clinic  Katherine Shaw Bethea Hospital  Renu Dosi MD  Tanveer Ahmad MD  Susan J Rychlik MD  Mercy Woodstock Medical Center  Mercy Woodstock Medical Center  Mercy Woodstock Medical Center  Gastroenterology & Internal Medicine Specialists SC Rockford, IllinoisUpcoming Local Events2012-06-17
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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 Rockford
Nearby Rockford Hospitals *SwedishAmerican Health System Rockford Memorial Hospital OSF Saint Anthony Medical Center Singer Mental Health Center Van Matre HEALTHSOUTH Rehabilitation Hospital Beloit Memorial Hospital Rochelle Community Hospital Mercy Harvard Hospital Kindred Hospital Sycamore FHN Memorial Hospital Mercy Health System Kishwaukee Community Hospital Centegra Memorial 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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