Hyperkalemia Center - Towson, MDTowson 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 Towson * Clinical Associates PA Towson  Clinical Associates PA Towson  Clinical Associates PA Towson  Clinical Associates PA Towson  Clinical Associates PA Towson  Clinical Associates PA Towson  Clinical Associates PA Towson  Marcelino D Albuerne MD  Ayman F Akkad MD  David P Boersma MD  St Joseph Medical Internal Medicine  Francis X Carmody MD  Maryland Oncology Towson PA  Donna L Dow MD  Maryland Oncology Towson PA  John T Evelius MD  Josephs Turner O'Malley & Fisher MDs PA  Jin Gu MD  Daniel C Hardesty MD  Jose A Hernandez MD  Maryland Oncology Towson PA  Josephs Turner O'Malley & Fisher MDs PA  Drs Kimmel & Weglein  St Joseph Medical Internal Medicine  John G Lavin MD  St Joseph Medical Internal Medicine  Ashraf S Mostafa MD & Rasha A Morad MD PA  Ashraf S Mostafa MD & Rasha A Morad MD PA  Pulmonary & Critical Care Associates of Baltimore  Midatlantic Cardiovascular Associates PA  Josephs Turner O'Malley & Fisher MDs PA  Anderson M Renick MD  Nathan M Rosenblum MD  Mark Saba MD  Pulmonary & Critical Care Associates of Baltimore  Maryland Oncology Towson PA  Anusha Sirithara MD  Lawrence J Snyder MD  St Joseph Medical Internal Medicine  Josephs Turner O'Malley & Fisher MDs PA  Drs Kimmel & Weglein  Jeffrey S Alexander MD PA  Alberto J Diaz MD  James Ebeling MD  William H Goldiner MD  Sally Habib MD  Timothy E Herlihy MD  Heartfelt Medical Group  Marc D Sokolow MD  Shirley Thompson-Richards MD  Iris Davis MD  Towson Medical Associates  Theodore C Houk MD  Towson Medical Associates  Carol A Newill MD  Raymond A Nze MD  Baltimore Lipid Center/Gregg Pokrywka MD FACP  Paul M Rivas MD  Rosenberg & Souweine MDs  Rosenberg & Souweine MDs  Walter R Welzant MD  Richard G D'Antonio MD  June E Breiner MD  Drs Leavey & Gendelsman  Drs Leavey & Gendelsman  Elisabeth K Lucas MD  Joseph Pallan MD  FEIRTAG AND RAMOS, P.A.  William E Randall Jr. MD  Anthony Serafis MD  Gregory L Walker MD  Francis L Wiegmann MD  Christine J Bell-Lafferman MD  Robert B Stoltz MD  Advanced Medicine LLC  Baltimore Medical & Surgical Associates  GBMC Hospitalist Group  John W Bowie MD  GBMC Hospitalist Group  GBMC Hospitalist Group  GBMC Hospitalist Group  David D Collins MD  Alicia A Cool MD  Alexa F Faraday MD  GBMC Hospitalist Group  GBMC Hospital Internal Medicine  GBMC Hospital Internal Medicine  GBMC Hospitalist Group  Kenneth Greene MD & Associates  Mid Atlantic Cardiovascular  GBMC Hospitalist Group  GBMC Hospitalist Group  Bay West Endocrinology Associates  GBMC Hospitalist Group  George N Karkar MD  GBMC Hospital Internal Medicine  GBMC Hospitalist Group  Bay West Endocrinology Associates  Baltimore Medical & Surgical Associates  GBMC Hospitalist Group Towson, MarylandUpcoming Local Events2012-06-02
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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 Towson
Nearby Towson Hospitals *St Joseph Medical Center Greater Baltimore Medical Center Sheppard Pratt Health System Good Samaritan Hospital of Maryland Mt Washington Pediatric Hospital Sinai Hospital of Baltimore Levindale Hebrew Geriatric Center & Hospital Union Memorial Hospital Kennedy Krieger Institute Maryland General Hospital Johns Hopkins Hospital Mercy Medical Center Franklin Square Hospital Center Baltimore VA Medical Center University of Maryland Medical Center Bon Secours Baltimore Health System University Specialty Hospital Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center Kernan Hospital Saint Agnes Hospital Northwest Hospital Harbor Hospital Center Spring Grove Hospital Center Sheppard Pratt at Ellicott City Upper Chesapeake Medical Center Baltimore Washington Medical Center Springfield Hospital Center Howard County General Hospital Carroll Hospital Center Laurel Regional Hospital Anne Arundel Medical Center Harford Memorial Hospital Montgomery General Hospital Perry Point VA Medical Center Upper Shore Community Mental Health Center Chester River Hospital Center Doctors Community Hospital Hanover Hospital 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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