Hyperkalemia Center - Shawnee, KSShawnee 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 Shawnee * Family Medicine Specialists  Shawnee Mission Physician's Group Hospitalists  Boulevard Internal Medicine  Shawnee Mission Primary Care SMMB  Kansas City Allergy & Asthma Associates  Georgetown Family Care  Nephrology Physicians PA  Shawnee Mission Internal Medicine  Kansas City Allergy & Asthma Associates  Kenneth Norton MD  Kansas City Allergy & Asthma Associates  Sunflower Medical Group PA Antioch Hills  Sunflower Medical Group PA Antioch Hills  Sunflower Medical Group PA Antioch Hills  Hope Cancer Institute Inc  Encompass Medical Group Lenexa  Encompass Medical Group Lenexa  Encompass Medical Group Lenexa  I-635 Primary Care Specialists  Shawnee Mission Urgent Care  Sunflower Medical Group PA Mission  Sunflower Medical Group PA Mission  Sunflower Medical Group PA Mission  Sunflower Medical Group PA Mission  Sunflower Medical Group PA Mission  Kim M Davies MD PA  KU MedWest  United Medical Group  KU MedWest  United Medical Group  United Medical Group  KU MedWest  KU MedWest  Kanza Multispecialty Group  Charles Isaac Davis Jr. MD  Shawnee Mission Primary Care Lenexa  Quivira Internal Medicine  Quivira Internal Medicine  Quivira Internal Medicine  Overland Park Medical Specialists  Quivira Internal Medicine  Endoscopic Imaging Center  Overland Park Medical Specialists  Quivira Internal Medicine  Quivira Internal Medicine  Quivira Internal Medicine  Quivira Internal Medicine  Vince & Associates Clinical Research  United Medical Group  Mid America Cardiology Associates  United Medical Group  United Medical Group  Kathleen R Sproules DO  The Heart Clinic PA  Westwood Internal Medicine  Westwood Internal Medicine  Westwood Internal Medicine  Heart Health PA  Westwood Internal Medicine  Westwood Internal Medicine  Daniel D Zimmerman MD  KUMC Internal Medicine Group I  KUMC Internal Medicine Group I  Kansas University Physicians  KUMC Internal Medicine Group I  Kansas University Physicians  KUMC Internal Medicine Group I  Kansas University Physicians  Kansas University Physicians  KUMC Internal Medicine Group I  Kansas University Physicians  KUMC Internal Medicine Group I  Mid America Cardiology Associates  Mid America Cardiology Associates  University of Kansas Medical Center Endocrinology  KUMC Internal Medicine Group I  KUMC Internal Medicine Group I  KUMC Internal Medicine Group I  KUMC Internal Medicine Group I  KUMC Internal Medicine Group I  KUMC Internal Medicine Group I  KUMC Internal Medicine Group I  KUMC Internal Medicine Group I  KUMC Internal Medicine Group I  University of Kansas Medical Center Gastroenterology  KUMC Internal Medicine Group I  Atherosclerosis & LDL Apheresis Center  KUMC Internal Medicine Group I  KUMC Internal Medicine Group I  KUMC Internal Medicine Group I  KUMC Internal Medicine Group I  KUMC Internal Medicine Group I  KUMC Internal Medicine Group I  KUMC Internal Medicine Group I  KUMC Internal Medicine Group I  KUMC Internal Medicine Group I  KUMC Internal Medicine Group I  KUMC Internal Medicine Group I  KUMC Internal Medicine Group I  Wyandot VA Clinic Shawnee, KansasUpcoming 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 Shawnee
Nearby Shawnee Hospitals *Shawnee Mission Medical Center Overland Park Regional Medical Center Select Specialty Hospital Kansas City University of Kansas Hospital & Medical Center Rainbow Mental Health Facility Specialty Hospital of Mid America Saint Luke's Hospital Heartland Spine & Specialty Hospital Children's Mercy South Mid-America Rehabilitation Hospital Doctor's Hospital Kansas City Orthopaedic Institute Providence Medical Center Kindred Hospital Kansas City Menorah Medical Center Children's Mercy Hospital & Clinics Research Medical Center Research Psychiatric Center Select Specialty Hospital Western Missouri Saint Luke's South Hospital St Joseph Medical Center Truman Medical Center Hospital Hill Western Missouri Mental Health Center Kansas City VA Medical Center North Kansas City Hospital Olathe Medical Center Two Rivers Psychiatric Hospital Crittenton Children's Center Saint Luke's Northland Hospital Barry Road Campus Children's Mercy Northland Truman Medical Center Lakewood Research Belton Hospital Saint Luke's East Meadowbrook Rehabilitation Hospital Centerpoint Medical Center Lee's Summit Medical Center Cushing Memorial Hospital Saint John Hospital VA Eastern Kansas Healthcare System Leavenworth Liberty Hospital St Mary's Medical Center Lawrence Memorial Hospital Saint Luke's Northland Hospital Smithville Campus Miami County Medical Center Cass Regional Medical Center Excelsior Springs 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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