Hyperkalemia Center - Saint Charles, MOSaint Charles 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 Saint Charles * Boonslick Medical Group Inc  Boonslick Medical Group Inc  Boonslick Medical Group Inc  Boonslick Medical Group Inc  SSM St Charles Clinic Medical Group  SSM St Charles Clinic Medical Group  SSM St Charles Clinic Medical Group  SSM St Charles Clinic Medical Group  SSM St Charles Clinic Medical Group  SSM St Charles Clinic Medical Group  Bev J Fingerhood MD  St Charles County Internal Medicine  Practice Management Affiliates  SSM DePaul Medical Group Northway Internists  University Internists of St Louis Inc  Esse Health  Sean T McLaughlin MD  SSM DePaul Medical Group Northway Internists  Esse Health  Sean T McLaughlin MD  SSM DePaul Medical Group Northway Internists  Metro Hypertension & Kidney Center  SSM DePaul Health Center  Gurcharan J Singh MD  North County Internal Medicine & Rheumatology  Northwest Internal Medicine Specialists  Baskir Razzaque & Espana MDs  Berwald Surgical Medical Inc  Chotchai Boonkham MD  Chaowaratana Porntip MD  Baskir Razzaque & Espana MDs  Alberto Goldgaber, MD LLC  Romulo J Fajatin MD  St Charles Nephrology  BJC Medical Group St Peters  Richard E Parcinski DO FCCP LLC  Brian Stufflebam MD  Joseph G Viviano Jr MD FACP  Saira Asadullah MD  Missouri Endocrine & Diabetes  Concentra Medical Centers  St John's Urgent Care Center at St Peters  Odyssey Healthcare  Odyssey Healthcare  Odyssey Healthcare  Hillard K Cohen MD  BJC Corporate Health  Rosemary L Cannistraro MD  DeSilva Medical Services  Creve Coeur Primary Care  Preventive Medicine Inc  Mercy Health Research Ryan Headache Center  Barnes-Jewish West County Hospital Radiology  Creve Coeur Primary Care  Washington University Division of Cardiology  Barnes West Medical Consultants  Washington University Endocrinology  Midwest Internists  Barnes West Medical Consultants  Barnes West Medical Consultants  Associated Specialists in Medicine  Barnes West Medical Consultants  Associated Specialists in Medicine  DesPeres Internal Medicine North  DesPeres Internal Medicine North  DesPeres Internal Medicine North  DesPeres Internal Medicine North  Frank Ashall MD PhD  IPC The Hospitalist Company  IPC The Hospitalist Company  IPC The Hospitalist Company  IPC The Hospitalist Company  IPC The Hospitalist Company  IPC The Hospitalist Company  IPC The Hospitalist Company  IPC The Hospitalist Company  IPC The Hospitalist Company  IPC The Hospitalist Company  IPC The Hospitalist Company  IPC The Hospitalist Company  IPC The Hospitalist Company  IPC The Hospitalist Company  IPC The Hospitalist Company  IPC The Hospitalist Company  Richard F Jotte MD  IPC The Hospitalist Company  IPC The Hospitalist Company  IPC The Hospitalist Company  IPC The Hospitalist Company  IPC The Hospitalist Company  IPC The Hospitalist Company  IPC The Hospitalist Company  IPC The Hospitalist Company  IPC The Hospitalist Company  IPC The Hospitalist Company  IPC The Hospitalist Company  IPC The Hospitalist Company  IPC The Hospitalist Company  IPC The Hospitalist Company  IPC The Hospitalist Company Saint Charles, MissouriUpcoming Local Events2012-06-09
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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 Saint Charles
Nearby Saint Charles Hospitals *SSM St Joseph Health Center SSM DePaul Health Center Barnes-Jewish St Peter's Hospital St John's Urgent Care Center Saint Peters Ranken Jordan Pediatric Rehabilitation Barnes-Jewish West County Hospital Northwest HealthCare Center Pointe Hospital St Luke's Hospital St Luke's Urgent Care Center in St Charles St John's Mercy Medical Center St John's Mercy Rehabilitation Hospital Dubuis Hospital of St Louis Missouri Baptist Medical Center St John's Mercy Urgent Care Center Shriners Hospital for Children Hawthorn Children's Psychiatric Hospital Christian Hospital NE Progress West HealthCare Center St Luke's Urgent Care Center at WingHaven St Luke's Urgent Care Center on Clarkson Road Des Peres Hospital SSM Rehab SSM St Mary's Health Center Metropolitan St Louis Psychiatric Center SSM St Joseph Hospital West Forest Park Community Hospital Select Specialty Hospital St Louis Barnes-Jewish Hospital North Campus Kindred Hospital St Louis Barnes-Jewish Hospital South Campus St Louis Children's Hospital The Rehabilitation Institute of St Louis St Louis Psychiatric Rehabilitation Center St Louis VA Medical Center John Cochran Division Saint Louis University Hospital SSM Cardinal Glennon Children's Medical Center SSM St Clare Health Center St Clare's Hospital St Anthony's Health Center St Luke's Urgent Care Center in Fenton Alton Memorial Hospital Gateway Regional Medical Center St Alexius Hospital Broadway Campus Kindred Hospital St Anthony's St Anthony's Medical Center SSM St Joseph Health Center Wentzville Kenneth Hall Regional Hospital St Louis VA Medical Center Jefferson Barracks Jersey Community Hospital Touchette Regional Hospital Lincoln County Medical Center Anderson Hospital Memorial Hospital Belleville St John's Mercy Hospital St Elizabeth's Hospital Belleville 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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