Hyperkalemia Center - Salt Lake City, UTSalt Lake City 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 Salt Lake City * Exam One  IHC Bryner Clinic Internal Medicine  IHC Bryner Clinic Internal Medicine  IHC Bryner Clinic Internal Medicine  IHC Bryner Clinic Internal Medicine  IHC Bryner Clinic Internal Medicine  LDS Hospital Infection Disease  IHC LDS LBB_Hospital Emergency  IHC LDS LBB_Hospital Emergency  LDS Hospital Infectious Diseases  City Creek Internal Medicine  Avenues Internal Medicine  City Creek Internal Medicine  Avenues Internal Medicine  City Creek Internal Medicine  James E Pearl MD  Avenues Internal Medicine  Salt Lake Clinic Pulmonary & Allergy  Salt Lake Clinic Pulmonary & Allergy  Salt Lake Clinic Internal Medicine Department  Salt Lake Clinic  Salt Lake Clinic Pulmonary & Allergy  Salt Lake Clinic  Lucinda Bateman MD  Salt Lake Regional Medical Center  Alpine Medical Group Internal Medicine  Alpine Medical Group Internal Medicine  Alpine Medical Group Internal Medicine  Alpine Medical Group Internal Medicine  Alpine Medical Group Internal Medicine  Salt Lake Senior Clinic  Gut Whisperer  Salt Lake Senior Clinic  Salt Lake Senior Clinic  Salt Lake Senior Clinic  Salt Lake Senior Clinic  Ronald W Ward MD  Memorial Clinic Internal Medicine & Specialty  Memorial Clinic Internal Medicine & Specialty  Memorial Clinic Internal Medicine & Specialty  Memorial Clinic Internal Medicine & Specialty  Memorial Clinic Internal Medicine & Specialty  Memorial Clinic Internal Medicine & Specialty  Memorial Clinic Internal Medicine & Specialty  Huntsman Cancer Institute Hematology & Oncology  University of Utah Nephrology  University of Utah Nephrology  University of Utah Hematology & Bone Marrow Transplant  University of Utah Nephrology  University of Utah School of Medicine  University of Utah Nephrology  University of Utah Nephrology  University Of Utah Dermatology  University of Utah Nephrology  University of Utah Hospital Internal Medicine  University of Utah Cardiology  University of Utah Hospital Internal Medicine  University of Utah Hospital Rheumatology  University of Utah Hospital Internal Medicine  Madsen Internal Medicine Clinic  University of Utah Infectious Disease Clinic  University Hospital Emergency Dept  Madsen Internal Medicine Clinic  University of Utah Hospital Internal Medicine  Geriatric Clinic  University of Utah Cardiology  University of Utah Hospital Internal Medicine  Madsen Internal Medicine Clinic  University of Utah Hospital Internal Medicine  Veterans Affairs Center  University of Utah Nephrology  UUHC Redwood Center  UUHC Redwood Center  UUHC Redwood Center  Douglas E Rollins MD  Utah Diabetes Center  University of Utah Health Science Center Family Practice  Utah Cancer Specialists  St Marks's Senior Health Center  Internal Medicine Ltd  Wasatch Internal Medicine & Family Practice  Salt Lake Orthopaedic Clinic  Wasatch Internal Medicine & Family Practice  Wasatch Internal Medicine & Family Practice  Internal Medicine Ltd  Wasatch Internal Medicine & Family Practice  St Marks's Senior Health Center  Internal Medicine Ltd  Internal Medicine Ltd  Wasatch Internal Medicine & Family Practice  St Marks's Senior Health Center  Wasatch Internal Medicine & Family Practice  Internal Medicine Ltd  Internal Medicine Ltd  Wasatch Internal Medicine & Family Practice  Care Medical LLC  Care Medical LLC  Care Medical LLC  Care Medical LLC  Gilbert Podolsky MD Salt Lake City, UtahUpcoming 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 Salt Lake City
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