Hyperkalemia Center - Thornton, COThornton 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 Thornton * Colorado Rehabilitation & Occupational Med  Mark Barter MD  Colorado Family Medicine & Geriatrics  Bruce J Weber DO  Rocky Mountain Gastroenterology Associates  Rocky Mountain Gastroenterology Associates  Rocky Mountain Health Centers North  Rocky Mountain Primary Care  Rocky Mountain Primary Care  Rocky Mountain Primary Care  Western Cardiology Associates  Western Cardiology Associates  Charles B Johnson MD  Columbine Dermatology, PC  Lawrence S Janowski MD  Broomfield Pediatrics  Alice Brunecky MD  Inner City Health Center  NWP North Denver Internal Medicine  NWP North Denver Internal Medicine  Midtown Occupational Health Services PC  Midtown Occupational Health Services PC  Health One Medical Center at Lodo  Physician Housecalls  Harlan Street Healthcare  Kaiser Permanente Skyline Clinic  Kaiser Permanente  Infectious Diseases  Martin J Rubinowitz MD  Kaiser Permanente Internal Medicine  Kaiser Permanente Skyline Clinic  Midtown Inpatient Medicine LLC  High Street Primary Care  High Street Primary Care  Skyline Internal Medicine  Robert B Gibbons MD  High Street Primary Care  Midtown Inpatient Medicine LLC  Colorado Pulmonary Associates PC  High Street Primary Care  Midtown Inpatient Medicine LLC  High Street Primary Care  High Street Primary Care  Uptown Internal Medicine  Skyline Internal Medicine  Skyline Internal Medicine  High Street Primary Care  Uptown Internal Medicine  Uptown Internal Medicine  NWP Arvada Internal Medicine  NWP Arvada Internal Medicine  Exempla Total health & Downtown Clinic  Wheat Ridge Family Clinic  Denver Medical Associates  Denver Medical Associates  Darrell E Gorman MD  Denver Medical Associates  Denver Medical Associates  Denver Medical Associates  Denver Medical Associates  Capitol Hill Internal Medicine  Capitol Hill Internal Medicine  Inpatient Services  Inpatient Services  Inpatient Services  Inpatient Services  Inpatient Services  Inpatient Services  Inpatient Services  Inpatient Services  Inpatient Services  Inpatient Services  Inpatient Services  Inpatient Services  Inpatient Services  Inpatient Services  Inpatient Services  Inpatient Services  Inpatient Services  Inpatient Services  Inpatient Services  Inpatient Services  Inpatient Services  Inpatient Services  Inpatient Services  Inpatient Services  Inpatient Services  Inpatient Services  Inpatient Services  Inpatient Services  Inpatient Services  National Jewish Health  National Jewish Health  National Jewish Health  National Jewish Health  National Jewish Health  National Jewish Health  National Jewish Health  National Jewish Health  National Jewish Health Thornton, ColoradoUpcoming 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 Thornton
Nearby Thornton Hospitals *North Suburban Medical Center North Valley Hospital St Anthony North Hospital Exempla Saint Joseph Hospital Kindred Hospital Denver Presbyterian St Luke's Medical Center Select Specialty Hospital Denver Exempla Lutheran Medical Center Exempla Good Samaritan Medical Center Exempla West Pines Hospital Colorado Acute Hospital St Anthony Central Hospital National Jewish Medical and Research Center Denver Health Medical Center Denver VA Medical Center Rose Medical Center University of Colorado Hospital Denver Centennial Peaks Hospital Avista Adventist Hospital University of Colorado Hospital Aurora Anschutz Medical Campus Platte Valley Medical Center The Children's Hospital Spalding Rehabilitation Hospital The Medical Center of Aurora North Campus Triumph Hospital Aurora Porter Adventist Hospital Select Specialty Hospital Denver South Craig Hospital The Medical Center of Aurora South Campus Swedish Medical Center Colorado Mental Health Institute at Fort Logan Boulder Community Foothills Hospital Boulder Community Hospital Littleton Adventist Hospital Centennial Medical Plaza Highlands Behavioral Health System Longmont United Hospital Parker Adventist Hospital Sky Ridge 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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