Hyperkalemia Center - Tempe, AZTempe 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 Tempe * Tempe St Lukes Hospital Hospitalists  Thomas R Cheek  East Valley Primary Care Physicians PLC  Morrison Vein Institute  East Valley Primary Care Physicians PLC  Monaliza Setudehnia MD  Neighborhood Family Practice PC  Allcare  Integrated Associates and Medicine  Cigna Healthcare Scottsdale Center  Gila Internal Medicine & Geriatrics PC  IM Specialist Inc  T Mark Cwynar MD  Marvin R Goldstein MD  M A Habib MD  Scottsdale Gastroenterologists  Osborn Health and Rehabilitation  Donald A Opila MD  Peter Alan Zwerin MD  Health First Primary Care  Allergy & Immunology Associates  Michael J Tingey MD  Nada R Krnjaic MD  Karen L Leber MD  Allergy & Immunology Associates  Monterey Medical  Health First Primary Care  Stephen Ritchie MD  QuestMedicine Ltd  Sun State Cardiology  Michael J Tingey MD  Allergy Associates & Lab Ltd  Affiliated Internists of Scottsdale  Affiliated Internists of Scottsdale  Robert J Bloomberg MD  Robert J Bloomberg MD  Robert J Bloomberg MD  Geriatric Solutions  Geriatric Solutions  James T Johnson MD  Arizona Arthritis & Rheumatology Associates  Arizona Arthritis & Rheumatology Associates  Tri-City Cardiology Consultants  Arizona Institute of Spine & Sports Care  Arizona Arthritis & Rheumatology Associates  Scottsdale Internal Medicine  Danny S Downs MD  Advanced Urgent Care  Sunnyslope Family Health Center  Subodh S Shroff MD  Phoenix Pain Management Center  Banner Physicians Hospital Organization  Central Arizona Medical Associates  Central Arizona Medical Associates  Central Arizona Medical Associates  Central Arizona Medical Associates  Arizona Center For Chest Disease  Arizona Center For Chest Disease  Arizona Center For Chest Disease  East Valley Internal Medicine  Banner Phoenix Internal Medicine  Banner Phoenix Internal Medicine  Banner Phoenix Internal Medicine  Banner Phoenix Internal Medicine  Vijay S Gill MD  Banner Phoenix Internal Medicine  Banner Phoenix Internal Medicine  Ishvarlal Patel MD  Banner Phoenix Internal Medicine  Biltmore Cardiology PLLC  Jatinder Soni MD  Jatinder Soni MD  Gabriel Hilkovitz MD  Foothills Primary Care LLC  Phoenix Children's Medical Group General Pediatrics  Phoenix Children's Medical Group General Pediatrics  Phoenix Children's Medical Group General Pediatrics  Accredited Internal Medicine  Southwest Medical Associates Ltd  Total Care Medical and Injury  Southwest Medical Associates Ltd  Consolare  M Zuhdi Jasser MD  M Zuhdi Jasser MD  Apogee Medical Group  Apogee Medical Group  Apogee Medical Group  Apogee Medical Group  Apogee Medical Group  Apogee Medical Group  Apogee Medical Group  Internal Medical Center  Internal Medical Center  C Joseph Freund MD  Internal Medical Center  C Joseph Freund MD  C Joseph Freund MD  Liver Disease Center  Liver Disease Center  Banner Health Systems Tempe, ArizonaUpcoming Local Events2012-07-14
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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 Tempe
Nearby Tempe Hospitals *Tempe St Luke's Hospital Banner Behavioral Health Hospital Banner Desert Medical Center Scottsdale Healthcare Osborn Select Specialty Hospital Scottsdale Arizona State Hospital Desert Vista Hospital Maricopa Medical Center St Luke's Behavioral Health Center St Luke's Medical Center Youth Development Institute Los Ninos Hospital Arizona Orthopedic Surgical Hospital Arizona Heart Hospital Phoenix Children's Hospital Banner Good Samaritan Medical Center Banner Good Samaritan Rehabilitation Select Specialty Hospital Phoenix Downtown Phoenix Indian Medical Center Phoenix Memorial Health Care Center Promise Hospital of Phoenix Carl T Hayden VA Medical Center Select Specialty Hospital Phoenix St Joseph's Hospital & Medical Center Kindred Hospital Phoenix Chandler Regional Hospital Scottsdale Healthcare Shea HEALTHSOUTH Scottsdale Rehabilitation Hospital Phoenix Baptist Hospital Kindred Hospital Scottsdale Surgical Specialty Hospital of Arizona Arizona Spine & Joint Hospital John C Lincoln Hospital North Mountain Banner Gateway Medical Center Maryvale Hospital Medical Center Mercy Gilbert Medical Center Banner Baywood Medical Center Banner Baywood Heart Hospital Paradise Valley Hospital Mayo Clinic Hospital Scottsdale Healthcare Thompson Peak Banner Estrella Medical Center Banner Thunderbird Medical Center Mountain Vista Medical Center John C Lincoln Hospital Deer Valley HEALTHSOUTH Valley of the Sun Rehabilitation Hospital Arrowhead Hospital Banner Boswell Medical Center West Valley Hospital Gila River Health Care Huhukam Memorial Hospital Banner Del E Webb 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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