Hyperkalemia Center - Southaven, MSSouthaven 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 Southaven * Desoto Osteopathic  Foundation Internal Medicine  Internal Medicine Group of the Mid South  Midsouth Internal Medicine Physicians of Memphis  Midsouth Internal Medicine Physicians of Memphis  Southhaven Internal Medicine  Southhaven Internal Medicine  Southhaven Internal Medicine  Midsouth Medicine  Goodman Medical Clinic  De Soto Family Medical Center  Landmark Internal Medicine  Mahfuzur Rahman MD  Delta Gastroenterology & Endoscopy Center PC  Ki M Chang MD  Edward I Gbemudu MD  Wadsworth Clinic  Baxter Clinic Of Hernando PLLC  Parekh Medical Clinic  Parekh Medical Clinic  Williams Medical Clinic  Cummings Health Care Center  Batesville Clinic  Nephrology & Hypertension Associates  Nephrology & Hypertension Associates  Benton Medical Center  Benton Medical Center  Internal Medicine Associates of Oxford  Internal Medicine Associates of Oxford  Internal Medicine Associates of Oxford  Internal Medicine Associates of Oxford  Internal Medicine Associates of Oxford  Internal Medicine Clinic  Andrea L Smith MD  G D Berryhill Jr. MD  Charleston Clinic  New Albany Medical Group  New Albany Medical Group  New Albany Medical Group  Eric D Harding MD  Eric D Harding MD  Joseph Messina MD  Joseph Roberts MD  Rural Health Clinic  Cleveland Medical Clinic  West Tupelo Medical Clinic  Neil B Sloan MD Southaven, MississippiUpcoming Local Events2012-06-03
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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 Southaven
Nearby Southaven Hospitals *Baptist Memorial Hospital Desoto Methodist Healthcare South Hospital Delta Medical Center Parkwood Behavioral Health System HEALTHSOUTH Rehabilitation Hospital Methodist University Hospital LeBonheur Children's Medical Center Memphis Mental Health Institute Memphis VA Medical Center Regional Medical Center at Memphis Saint Francis Hospital Select Specialty Hospital Memphis St Jude Children's Research Hospital Baptist Memorial Hospital Memphis Baptist Memorial Restorative Care Hospital Baptist Memorial Hospital for Women Methodist LeBonheur Germantown Baptist Rehabilitation Hospital Germantown Crittenden Regional Hospital Baptist Memorial Hospital Collierville Methodist Healthcare North Hospital Saint Francis Hospital Bartlett Lakeside Behavioral Health System North Oak Regional 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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