Hyperkalemia Center - Summerville, SCSummerville 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 Summerville * Palmetto Internal Medicine of Summerville PC  Palmetto Internal Medicine of Summerville PC  Palmetto Internal Medicine of Summerville PC  Coastal Inpatient Physicians  Peter Maung MD FACP CMD  Low Country Internal Medicine  Low Country Internal Medicine  Crowfield Family Practice LLC  MUSC Internal Medicine  MUSC Internal Medicine  MUSC Dept of Medicine  MUSC Internal Medicine  MUSC Internal Medicine  MUSC Dept of Medicine  MUSC Internal Medicine  MUSC Internal Medicine  MUSC Internal Medicine  MUSC Internal Medicine  MUSC Internal Medicine  MUSC Internal Medicine  MUSC Internal Medicine  MUSC Internal Medicine  MUSC Internal Medicine  Lloyd E Hepburn Jr. MD  Gail L Rearden MD  Charleston Adults & Geriatrics  Patient One  Charleston Internal Medicine  Charleston Internal Medicine  Charleston Internal Medicine  North Charleston Internal Medicine  Charleston Nephrology Associates LLC  Charleston Nephrology Associates LLC  North Charleston Internal Medicine  Charleston Nephrology Associates LLC  Charleston Nephrology Associates LLC  Rose D Gibbs MD  Carolina Family Care West Ashley  Carolina Family Care West Ashley  Lowcountry Infectious Disease & Travel Medicine  Monica Lominchar MD  Lowcountry Infectious Disease & Travel Medicine  Carolina Family Care West Ashley  Lowcountry Infectious Disease & Travel Medicine  West Ashley Primary Care  West Ashley Primary Care  West Ashley Primary Care  West Ashley Primary Care  West Ashley Primary Care  West Ashley Primary Care  Digestive & Liver Disease Care  Tidewater Internal Medicine  Tidewater Internal Medicine  Tidewater Internal Medicine  Tidewater Internal Medicine  West Ashley Family Medicine  Palmetto Primary Care Physicians  Olumide M Mughelli MD  Enterprise Health System  West Ashley Internal Medicine  West Ashley Internal Medicine  West Ashley Internal Medicine  West Ashley Internal Medicine  Associates in Internal Medicine  Cain Lackey Maguire & Oliverio MDs  Associates in Internal Medicine  Cain Lackey Maguire & Oliverio MDs  Cain Lackey Maguire & Oliverio MDs  Associates in Internal Medicine  Cain Lackey Maguire & Oliverio MDs  Associates in Internal Medicine  Associates in Internal Medicine  David W Seignious MD  David W Seignious MD  Jan A Basile MD  Joseph F John MD  Palmetto Pulmonary Physicians  G T Little MD  Carolina Family Care  MUSC Internal Medicine  Carolina Family Care  MUSC Internal Medicine  MUSC Internal Medicine  Carolina Family Care  MUSC Rheumatology  Island Internal Medicine  Island Internal Medicine  Roper St Francis Medical Care Charleston Internal Medicine  Roper St Francis Medical Care Charleston Internal Medicine  Carolina Family Care  Carolina Family Care  East Cooper Internal Medicine  East Cooper Internal Medicine  East Cooper Internal Medicine  East Cooper Internal Medicine  East Cooper Internal Medicine  Serenity Internal Medicine LLC  The Hospice Center  Lowcountry Healthcare  Lowcountry Healthcare Summerville, South CarolinaUpcoming 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 Summerville
Nearby Summerville Hospitals *Summerville Medical Center Trident Medical Center HEALTHSOUTH Rehabilitation Hospital Bon Secours St Francis Hospital Palmetto Lowcountry Behavioral Health Ralph H Johnson VA Medical Center MUSC Medical University of South Carolina Kindred Hospital Charleston MUSC Charleston Memorial Hospital Roper Hospital Roper Rehabilitation Hospital East Cooper Regional Medical Center Colleton 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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