Hyperkalemia Center - San Marcos, TXSan Marcos 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 San Marcos * Capital Nephrology Associates  Arjun Mohandas MD  Arjun Mohandas MD  Jairo L Bermuda MD  Julia B Symon MD  Basel Dabas MD  Office of Dolan Galaviz & Smith  Kenneth Long MD  Corridor Primary Care  Office of Dolan Galaviz & Smith  Central Texas Medical Center  Central Texas Medical Center  Central Texas Medical Center  Central Texas Medical Center  Yu-Jie Kuo MD  Vernon C Haverlah DO  Robert L Frets MD  Sankararao Tamtam MD  Danette R Elliott Mullens DO  Danette R Elliott Mullens DO  Haoran Yu MD  Douglas F Bahr MD  Christus Health Internal Medicine/Infectious Disease  Christus Health Internal Medicine/Infectious Disease  Christus Health Internal Medicine/Infectious Disease  Kathleen B Rockwood MD  Christus Health Internal Medicine/Infectious Disease  Terry F Eska MD  Wimberley Diagnostic Clinic  Kimberly D Galusha DO  Adult Care of Austin  Adult Care of Austin  Austin Regional Clinics  Austin VA OP Clinic  Austin VA OP Clinic  Austin Diagnostic Clinic South  Steven H Fehrenkamp MD PA  Austin Diagnostic Clinic South  Texas Oncology PA  Austin Diagnostic Clinic South  Capital Nephrology Associates  Austin Diagnostic Clinic South  Ferril Smith MD  Live Oak Cardiology  Robert Stroud MD  Drs Spindel & Tretjak  St Davids S Austin Hospital  St Davids S Austin Hospital  St Davids S Austin Hospital  Seton Community Health Center  Gilbert Blancarte MD  Austin Regional Clinics  Austin Regional Clinics  Austin Regional Clinics  Austin Regional Clinics  Oltorf Medical Clinic  Victory Medical & Family Care  Community Care at South Austin  Community Care at South Austin  Kellum Medical Group PA  Gloria Wright DO  Austin Geriatric Specialists  Austin Geriatric Specialists  University of Texas Physicians  Academic Physicians At Trinity  Academic Physicians At Trinity  UT Physicians General Internal Medicine Infectious Disease  Academic Physicians At Trinity  Ann M Shippy MD  UT Physicians General Internal Medicine Infectious Disease  Beth Miller MD  Bastrop Medical Clinic  Rajeev M Gupta MD  Riverbend Medical Group  Austin Medical Clinic East  UT Austin UHS  UT Austin UHS  Matthew E Masters Jr. MD  University Health Services  Austin Medical Associates  Red River Family Practice  University Health Services  Austin Medical Associates  Medical Arts Internal Medicine  Sara Bartos MD  St Davids Hospital  St Davids Hospital  Medical Arts Internal Medicine  John S Murray MD  St Davids Hospital  Capital Nephrology Associates  Austin Adult Gerimed Associates  Ted L Edwards Jr. MD  Pete Garcia MD  Peoples Community Clinic  Erin J Silvertooth MD  Primary Physicians of Austin  Navasota Medical Center  Primary Physicians of Austin  Allergy & Asthma Consultants, LLP San Marcos, TexasUpcoming 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 San Marcos
Nearby San Marcos Hospitals *Seton Edgar B Davis Memorial Hospital Warm Springs Specialty Hospital Luling Central Texas Medical Center Guadalupe Regional Medical Center Christus Santa Rosa New Braunfels Gonzales Memorial Hospital Texas NeuroRehab Center The Oaks Treatment Center Seton Southwest Healthcare Center St David's South Austin Hospital 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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