Hyperkalemia Center - Taunton, MATaunton 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 Taunton * Compass Medical in Taunton  Compass Medical in Taunton  Compass Medical in Taunton  Compass Medical in Taunton  Compass Medical in Taunton  Compass Medical in Taunton  Compass Medical in Taunton  George J Pereira MD  Compass Medical in Taunton  Asthma & Allergy Physicians LLC  Taunton Medical Internal Medicine  Taunton Medical Internal Medicine  Taunton Medical Internal Medicine  Morton Hospital & Medical Center Hospitalist  Morton Hospital & Medical Center Hospitalist  Morton Hospital & Medical Center Hospitalist  Medical Specialists of Taunton PC  Medical Specialists of Taunton PC  Taunton Family Medicine  Alexander G Myers MD PC  Morton Hospital & Medical Center Hospitalist  Priti A Patel MD  Morton Hospital & Medical Center Hospitalist  Taunton Family Medicine  Robert I Friedman MD  Internal Medicine Health Assoc  Internal Medicine Health Assoc  Internal Medicine Health Assoc  Internal Medicine Health Assoc  Internal Medicine Health Assoc  Internal Medicine Health Assoc  Bristol Diabetes & Endocrinology  Internal Medicine Health Assoc  Richard A Gross MD  Signature Healthcare  Signature Healthcare  Signature Healthcare  George F Gagne MD  Family Healthcare Center  Internal Medicine & Cardiology Associates  Internal Medicine & Cardiology Associates  Truesdale Clinic Southcoast Physicians Services  Internal Medicine & Cardiology Associates  Internal Medicine & Cardiology Associates  Charles J Sasson MD & Ossama W Labib MD  Internal Medicine & Cardiology Associates  Truesdale Clinic Southcoast Physicians Services  Truesdale Clinic Southcoast Physicians Services  Internal Medicine & Cardiology Associates  Charles J Sasson MD & Ossama W Labib MD  Truesdale Clinic Southcoast Physicians Services  Truesdale Clinic Southcoast Physicians Services  Internal Medicine & Cardiology Associates  Truesdale Clinic Southcoast Physicians Services  Internal Medicine & Cardiology Associates  Primacare PC  Primacare Somerset Swansea Medical Center  Albert A Dunn III MD  James C Lisak MD  Hanover Internal Medicine Associates PC  Hanover Internal Medicine Associates PC  Southcoast Hospitals Group CMH Emergency Dept  Hanover Internal Medicine Associates PC  Linsey Philip MD  Borden Medical Associates  Borden Medical Associates  Borden Medical Associates  Borden Medical Associates  Borden Medical Associates  Michael A Taylor MD  Signature Healthcare Bridgewater Goddard Park Medical Associates  Hawthorn Medical Associates  Hawthorn Medical Associates  Hawthorn Medical Associates  Hawthorn Medical Associates  Hawthorn Medical Associates  Hawthorn Medical Associates  Hawthorn Medical Associates  Hawthorn Medical Associates  Hawthorn Medical Associates  Hawthorn Medical Associates  Hawthorn Medical Associates  Hawthorn Medical Associates  Hawthorn Medical Associates  Hawthorn Medical Associates  Hawthorn Medical Associates  Rajaratnam T Abraham MD  Prima Care Cardiology  PRIMA Care  Hany A Mistikawy MD  PRIMA Care  Anis M Rahman MD  PRIMA Care  Eugene Zak MD  University Medicine Foundation Inc  Jose A Monteiro MD PC  Jose A Monteiro MD PC  Hudner Oncology Center  Christos Kapogiannis MD & Curtis J Mello MD  Jorge M Andrade MD Taunton, MassachusettsUpcoming Local Events2012-06-10
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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 Taunton
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