Hyperkalemia Center - Terre Haute, INTerre Haute 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 Terre Haute * A P & S Clinic  A P & S Clinic  Antwan M Mardini MD  Illiana Internal Medicine  Antwan M Mardini MD  Illiana Internal Medicine  Illiana Internal Medicine  Illiana Internal Medicine  Sisir Dhar MD & Raj Jeevan MD  Sisir Dhar MD & Raj Jeevan MD  Joel N Elias & Rima Berchane MDs  Joel N Elias & Rima Berchane MDs  David J Janicki MD  Regional Family Medical Center  Springhill Medical Center  Ruben B Gonzales MD  Isaiah Pittman MD  Nedu T Gopala MD PC  Terre Haute Internal Medicine  Terre Haute Internal Medicine  Terre Haute Heart Center  Terre Haute Heart Center  Jon L Stockrahm DO  Sudha P Patel MD  Shelburn Clinic  Shelburn Clinic  Robert B Avena MD  Troy T Quiz MD  Troy T Quiz MD  Putnam Pediatrics & Internal Medicine Group  Robert McCardle MD  Owen County Hometown Healthcare  Owen County Hometown Healthcare  St Vincent South Clinic  Northridge Medical Group  Northridge Medical Group  Northridge Medical Group  Mary Glass MD & Brett Spencer MD  Mary Glass MD & Brett Spencer MD  Medical Center of Vincennes  Medical Center  Medical Center of Vincennes  Medical Center of Vincennes  Medical Center of Vincennes  Good Samaritan Hospital  Reva Sharma MD  Diabetes Management Center  Internal Medicine Associates Hospitalist  Internal Medicine Associates Hospitalist  Internal Medicine Associates Hospitalist  William J Schmalz MD  Rose Internal Medicine  Internal Medicine Associates  Internal Medicine Associates  Internal Medicine Associates  Internal Medicine Associates  Richard C Combs MD  Center for Wholism  Bloomington Hospital Emergency  Jip J Yoon MD  Hendricks Regional Health  Hendricks Regional Health  Hendricks Adult Medicine  Hendricks Adult Medicine  Promptcare East  Internal Medicine of Hendricks County  IMA Family & Sports Medicine  Monroe Primary Care  Robert C Beesley MD  Morgan Internal Medicine  Morgan Internal Medicine  Morgan Internal Medicine  American Health Network Avon  American Health Network Avon  Martin County Health Center  Indiana Adult & Pediatric Medicine  Indiana Adult & Pediatric Medicine  Indiana Adult & Pediatric Medicine  Indiana Adult & Pediatric Medicine  Indiana Adult & Pediatric Medicine  Indiana Adult & Pediatric Medicine  Mooresville Internal Medicine  Mooresville Internal Medicine  IU Medical Group Mooresville  IU Medical Group Mooresville  IU Medical Group Mooresville  Perdue University  Bedford Medical Group  Aegis at Clarian West Medical Center  Respiratory & Critical Care Consultants  Respiratory & Critical Care Consultants  Respiratory & Critical Care Consultants  Aegis at Clarian West Medical Center  Medhat H Girgis MD  Kamal Girgis MD  Respiratory & Critical Care Consultants  Respiratory & Critical Care Consultants  Bedford Medical Group  Bedford Medical Group  Bedford Medical Group Terre Haute, IndianaUpcoming 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 Terre Haute
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